D When companies do business overseas, they come in contact with people from different cultures. These individuals often speak a different language and have their own particular custom and manners. These differences can create problems. For example, in France, business meetings begin immediately at the scheduled time and everyone is expected to be there. Foreign business people who are slow in acting are often left outside to cool their heels as a means of letting them know the importance of promptness（准时）. Unless one is aware of such expected behaviors he may end up insulting the people with whom he hopes to establish trade relations. A second traditional problem is that of monetary conversions(货币兑换). For example, if a trade is conducted with Russia, payment may be made in rubles. Of course, this particular type of money used in Russia is of little value to the American firm. It is, therefore, necessary to exchange the foreign money to American dollars. How much are these Russian rubles worth in terms of dollars? This exchange rate is determined by every market, where the money of countries are bought and sold. Thus there is an established rate, although it is often different from day to day. For example, the ruble may be worth 0.75 on Monday and 0.72 on Tuesday because of an announced wheat shortage in Russia. In addition, there is the problem associated with exchange at 0.72. Some financial institutions may be unwilling to pay this price, feeling that the ruble will sink much lower over the next week. As a result, exchange may finally come at 0.69. These "losses" must be accepted by the company as one of the costs of doing business overseas. A third unique problem is trade barriers. For one reason or another, all countries impose trade barriers on certain goods crossing their borders. Some trade barriers are directly related to exports. For example, the United States permits strategic military material to be shipped abroad only after government permission has been obtained. Most trade barriers, however, are designed to restrict import. Two of the most common import barriers are quotas and tariffs. 76. The best title for the passage would be ___. A. How to Succeed in International Trade B. Monetary Conversion C. Trade Barriers D. Unique Problems in International Trade 77. In France, slow business people ___. A. are often insulted B. often suffer from coldness C. are often left outdoors waiting D. are often asked to polish their shoes 78. According to the passage, exchange rates ___. A. seldom change B. are determined by financial institutions C. are agreed upon by two trading countries D. vary from day to day 79. Which of the following is not true according to the passage? A. Misunderstanding may occur because of the culture differences. B. Exchange rate can bring losses when doing international trade. C. Most trade barriers are designed to restrict import. D. All the exports must get the permission of the government. . |