Chapter 47 TECHNIQUE 42 UNDERSTAND CULTURE AND CULTURE
You are going on a business trip abroad.What's the first thing on the to-do list?With a passport and a foreign language book?You don't want to be wandering the streets of Rome, unable to find a toilet and not knowing how to ask.And you don't want to be so thirsty in Toronto that you can't even ask for a Coke.Having said that, there is one thing that most people keep forgetting, and it often has a crucial influence—books on the customs of various places.
I have a friend who is also a professional speaker, her name is Jerry Ting.When she was invited to speak in Japan for the first time, she was very excited.To relax comfortably on the long flight, she wore designer jeans and a light jacket.After a 14-hour flight, she was met at Narita Airport by four impeccably dressed Japanese men.With smiles on their faces, they bowed deeply and handed their business cards to Jeruiting.Jie Ruiting held the luggage in one hand, so he had to take the business cards with the other hand and put them in the pocket of his jeans.Then she took out her business card from her purse, and thoughtfully that the other party might not know how to pronounce it when addressing her, so she wrote the nickname Jerry on the print.The men stared at her business card for a moment, turned it over several times, and then received it in the suitcase.Then a group of 5 people arrived at the hotel, and they invited Jerry to drink tea in the lobby.
At this time, the four Japanese men suddenly stood up together, like four frowning conjoined twins, bowed scribbled, and left after saying "Shayo Nala".Poor Jerry stayed where he was, not knowing what he had done wrong.
It was all wrong from start to finish!First up is the jeans.In Asia, even if you just jumped off your bicycle, you might as well use a relaxed outfit to face customers.Secondly, Jierui should not dispose of their business cards casually.In Asia, business cards are one of the most important etiquette tools. Whether you are handing or receiving a business card, you must use both hands solemnly. (Except in Muslim countries, where the left hand is considered unclean.)
In addition, Jierui received business cards too quickly.In Asia, the business card has the function of starting a conversation.The two parties first talk about each other's work based on the information on the business card. Unless the other party carefully puts away your business card first, you can't accept the business card first.Jerry put the other party's business card in the back pocket of his jeans, which was simply disrespectful to them.
It wasn't until after returning to China that Jierui realized her fourth gaffe.Her colleague Bill, a veteran of business travel, analyzed another point.Bill said that at the airport, when Geri handed out his business card, the other party turned it over and over several times, looking for Geri's Japanese name, company name and title on the other side.Of course, the reverse side of Jierui's business card is completely blank.
The fifth mistake was that Jerry shouldn't have written on the business card.Business cards aren't exactly sacrosanct in Asia, but at least they shouldn't be scribbled on.
Differences abound across the globe.Every time I go on a business trip, I will definitely knock myself on the head and tell myself that this is not the United States.I love wearing jeans when I'm out of the country, and I love cuddling, and I can't wait to open presents when they arrive.But whenever I leave the United States, I study foreign customs carefully to see how much of my true self I can retain.
Before setting foot on a foreign land, find a book and study the customs and taboos of each place.Whether it's shaking hands, giving gifts, making gestures, or complimenting someone on something, do your research beforehand.Because your gaffe may put you in a dilemma.
Next, we're going to talk about the immediate, concrete, and measurable payback of being an expert.Being an outsider can be costly - and pays off immediately.
Before setting foot on a foreign land, find a book and study the customs and taboos of each place.Whether it's shaking hands, giving gifts, making gestures, or complimenting someone on something, do your research beforehand.Because your gaffe may put you in a dilemma.
Next, we're going to talk about the immediate, concrete, and measurable payback of being an expert.Being an outsider can be costly - and pays off immediately.