What impact can this simple exchange have on a newly developing cross-cultural relationship? I have an American colleague who is easygoing, friendly, and wants to build trust with her associates in France. On a recent conference call, she noticed that she was often addressed by her surname. “It felt stiff and strange,” she said, “and […] Continue reading… from “Good afternoon, Ms. Jones. Hi there, Suzanna.”
Have you ever thought about how food impacts culture and helps define who we are? Not just what we eat, but how it is prepared and how we eat it. Is the food cooked over an open fire indoors, in a wok, a tajine, or stove? Do we eat with our hands, with chopsticks, or […] Continue reading… from Cultural Bites…tasty or not?
Recently, I took a grueling – but successful — business trip with my team. When we received the schedule — six countries on three continents in six weeks – we knew it would be tough. But we also knew the business plan relied on our ability to make good impressions that build trust and solid […] Continue reading… from Too Many Cultures …Too Little Time
The distance between the U.S. and Asia grows closer every day, as the world shrinks and cultures collide. Communication between the East and West is challenging in both verbal and nonverbal arenas. As an American who has lived and traveled throughout Asia, I had many opportunities to experience communication mishaps. I came to realize what […] Continue reading… from Asia, Language Beyond the Words
