The Barbecue Before you read This story is about a clash of cultures, Ifyou want to find out more about evos- cultural issues, read this background box: Cross-cultural awareness Culture plays a crucial part in shaping our values and the way we behave. To operate successfully in an international business environment, business- people have to understand the cultural differences between people from different backgrounds and nationalities. But how can they do this? Clearly, the average businessperson can't become an expert on all the world’s cultures. So, management thinkers have suggested that instead of looking at cultures in detail, businesspeople should be aware of the differences between cultures, for example, by studying the ways cultures have different attitudes towards the individual, the environment or time One of the many areas of difference between cultures isin the attitude to privacy. Try this ‘Way in* activity, io find out hw different your attitudes are on this issue Way in a Which parts of your life do you consider pul consider to be private? and which parts do you First, draw two circles, one inside the other. The inner circle represents your private life, the outer your public life. The size of the circles should reflect how much of your life you think is public and how much is private ‘Now put these things into the circle (private or public) in which you think they belong: srliving room Your your living Your car bathroom your bedroom your fridge Compare your circles with a partner, Now discuss this point: Do you think that your choices are based more on cultural attitudes or on personal preferences? 29 ‘The torbecue ecantidyeDecisionmaker The Barbecue 30 The Barbecue RY Wherever they were in the world, Koji Fukuhara and his British wife Judith always gave a summer barbecue party. Koji’s job ~ working for a =] multinational company ~ meant that they had never stayed in one country for long, so the barbecue had always been an excellent way for them to Problem mix socially with Koji’ colleagues. Now that Koji was in his first year as managing director of the company’s Spanish subsidiary, the barbecue party had taken on an extra meaning, Managing people from twelve different nationalities was no easy task, but he was sure that the party would bring his whole team together. Atleast, that’s what he hoped. Koji and Judith Fukuhara request the pleasure of your company ata barbecue lunch ‘on Sunday 3 June, at 1.00 | at Calle Gardenia 7, Sevilla ‘company which as ofles oF operation = countries z to talk to lott of people ina friendly situation ‘© company which is more than 50% owned by the parent ae Donat Word ie request the plearure formal expreston for vite you to! Teeseveame of your company ern RsvP Répondee 511 Vous Plait [Preach for ‘please reply) oe:Decisionmaker The Barbecue AD Here are two accounts of what happened at the party: Etienne Briand (29 years old, French, in his second year as a middle manager in the Spanish. office) “That new American g Mr and Mrs Fukuhars’s party an hour late ~ wearing ¢ pair of bright green shorts, a ru baseball cap! Con you imagine it? As far as I'm earned, he made all of us managers hi ho expects us to command their reepott, if he behaver to stupidly. Unfortunatly, that wasa't the end of it, At about 2.45, Mr Fukuhara was standing by his poe, Aiscatsing one of tho new projets with a few of es, when Alan came ever and suid, “Con | get anyone a dink from the fridge?” Ut was extraordinary! Car samathing from someon else's fridge — particularly avhon that porson i your boss! Wl, wal jas stepped talking end waited ty 20 bow ‘Alan MeDyre (32 years old, American, a middle manager who has recently been transferred from the Los Angeles office) “When | got there, the party wae in Full ening, Koj ‘and Judith had invited everyone from the office, Which meant.|got the chance to mest all the people that Iwouldn’t nermally epeak to—you know, like ‘the admin ataft and the secretaries, even the leaner! Of course, Irealised immediately that! wasn't dreseed quite right ~the other guys were all Inties and blazere —but it was. Sunday and | thought, "Hey theylljust have to take me as lam” Anyway, after a while walked over to join Kaji and a ‘group of managers whowere chatting by the pool.| noticed that they didr' have ary drinke, eo |eaid, "Can | get anyone a drink from the fridge?” Iewae weird, For somereason, thay all stopped talking and stared at me-—like ld committed some awful crime. Well I didn’t think fd done anything wrong, 20 \juet looked at Koj and waited for him to ay eomething If you were in Kofi Fukuhara’s situation, how would you respond to Alan's offer? ‘one of a group of managers below top management full of people, with Lots of activity abbreviation for’ \dministration’ art Jacket, usually with metal buttons ver, worn by athletes without his knowledge to get respect owesoomatee ecantedge erat PreDecisionmaker The Barbecue 2 Analysis What's it for? Read the fast tieo paragraphs and then choose the best answer to this question: What’s the purpose of this barbecue party? a) To celebrate Koji Fukuhara’s new job. b) To improve his career prospects. ©) To mix socially with his colleagues. d) To bring his team together. ¢) To maintain a tradition, The invitation Look at the invitation and discuss these questions 1 Do you need to reply formally to the invitation? 2 Should you take anything to the party? 3. How would you dress for a party like this? 4. What time would you arrive? The two accounts: what’s wrong? Read the twwo acconnts of the party and then try this activity: Do you think that Alan has done anything wrong? If your answer is ‘No’, relax! If your answer is “Yes’, make a list of the things that you think he has done wrong and compare your list with the lists of your colleagues. The two accounts: a cross-cultural reading Hore are four ways in which cultures may differ from each other. In small groups, discuss cach of these points, with reference to Alan and Etienne, producing evidence to support your answers: 1 Specific v Diffuse ‘Specific’ cultures make a very clear distinction between working life and personal life; in ‘diffuse’ cultures these two areas of life are mixed up. Which character takes a more ‘diffuse’ view of life? 2 The individual v The group In some cultures, the interests of the group are more important than the interests of the individual; other cultures place far more emphasis on individual rights and responsibilities. Which character is more individualistic? & Power distance Cultures with a “high power distance’ place a great deal of importance on rank and status in organisations. Relationships in cultures with alow power distance’ are much more equal Which character seems to come from a ‘high power distance’ culture? 4 Private and public space Different cultures have different attitudes towards privacy. = Who shows more respect for private space? ThetarbacueDocisionmaker The Barbecue 3 Aconclusion? Does this cross-cultural reading help to explain Alan’s behaviour and Etienne’s response to it? Is culture relevant? Now discuss these points: 1 Would Alan’s behaviour be normal in an American context? 2 Is Btienne right to disapprove of Alan's behaviour? 3. Do you think that individual personality is more important than national culture in determining how Alan and Etienne behave at the barbecue? When you've analysed both sides of the story, move on to the Decision time’ section ‘and decide what sort of action Koji Fukuhara should take.Now decide! Decisionmaker The Barbecue 4 Decision time How should Koji Fukuhara respond to Alan MeDyre’s behaviour? Note: As a Japanese, Koji Fukuhara must have his own cultural perspective on the events at the barbecue, However, as 2 manager in a multi-cultural nt, he should be aware of the cultural backgrounds of his staff and beable to reach a fair, balanced decision. environm What he could say Here are four things that he could say to Alan: Another drinkfor everyone.) VY ee 2 Come wine. tmhinkwe > \. should have awordin private.) ~ 3 Tioweare youl You {should know yourplace. Kb 4 ( Thank youtor ofering Alan.) but | think I'l gat the drinks, 4 Ee ‘that would be greet, \ Discuss these two questions 1 Which response would Alan expect? 2 Which response would Etienne want Koji to make? What should he say? What course of action should Koji Fukuhara take?