Bridging the Culture Gap

January 26, 2004

The “typical American” is…

Outgoing and informalLoud and rudeExtravagant and wastefulIgnorant of other countriesAlways in a hurrySure they have all the answers

The U.S. post 9/11

Defensive and touchyNot reflectiveApprehensiveTension over security vs. individual rightsBelief that we go it alone…

“What is good for the goal and fruitful for achieving the goal, is true and good.”

James Dewey

How is business conducted here?

CasuallyLoose boundariesConstant accessPolitical correctnessEmotionally

How is business viewed here?

Unstable and not secure Not interested in worker welfareControlled by the extremely wealthyPartners of the governmentUncaring for the individual investor

How do we communicate?

Phone driven cultureEmail styleNew York talkFirst names vs. titlesPersonal information exchangeInterruptionBody language

How are decisions made?

Goal vs. ProcessPractical before all thingsFacts or fact based thinking preferred to theoretical or systemic thinkingObsessed with timeArgument for its own sake not enjoyedRelationship building is secondary

Competition

Expected and encouragedLies at the heart of a healthy economyUnregulated competitionThe benefits are unquestionedNotion of equality vs. hierarchyIndividualist attitude

Customer or Product

The customer is kingAppeal to customersRomance of the “brand”Marketing “spin”Self-improvement

Physical space

Assumption of spaceSharing a table with strangers at a restaurantLeaving a seat empty on the trainGap between people when speakingClimate controlPhysical comfort

Food

Meals do not have great social significanceCurrent diet obsessionsIce in drinksAlcoholToasting

Typical conversations include:

MoviesVacationsKidsWorkSportsPersonal information

Are we open and friendly?

Seemingly easy-goingDeeper relationships difficult to developEmphasis on casual informality“Work/life” balanceDo not practice purely formal behavior

Are we naïve?

Formative puritanical beginningsPermitted to dream and be ambitiousNational “energy” fueled by vision and hopeConstant desire for upward mobilityPrefer optimism

Are we self-absorbed?

Strong historical isolationismLargely self-supportingAbundant resourcesIllusion as safe and independentWhat do we mean by globalization?

Choose between…

The freedom to pursue one’s goals without state interference?

The power of the state to guarantee that nobody is in need?

Overall cultural practices:

Love change; frequent job change and movementSocial mobility is related to moneyHighly legalisticLimited understanding and interest in other cultures Social contacts and relationships tend to be work related

“…all men are created equal, with a God-given right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”U.S. Declaration of Independence