Business in different cuontries

What are the origins of the speaker?

She is from Minnesota USA in a mono-cultural environment.

In which country did the speaker first realize the importance of understanding the cultural differences?

It was in Japan

Explain the situation of her communication mistakes and how she should have acted according to the country’s cultural code?

She was doing a presentation in front of a group of Japanese people and when she finished she asked if someone had a question but no one raised their hand and she conclude that there were no question. According to the country’s cultural code she should have been looking at the people that were looking at her in the eyes and understand that they had something to say.

Explain the Japanese concept “Kookie yomanai” in your own words.

Kookie Yomanai or KY is an expression to define people that can’t read the atmosphere or the non-verbal language other than their own.

What kind of research did the speaker undertake later?

She wanted to help people to read the atmosphere, the non-verbal language of people in different countries.

Do you notice the difference between this country and France? How do you normally behave when you are asked if you have any questions?

The difference between Japan and France is that in France its more obvious when in Japan if you don’t really pay attention to the people, you won’t understand them. When I have a question I rather raise my hand or nod my head when the person looks at me.

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