Over the last few days, I have witnessed something that I don't see much in the U.S. There have been a number of women - either pregnant or with child- on public transportation who do not have to wait long for a seat because when men see these women, they practically break their necks to get up to give the woman his seat.
On the metro, I noticed a pregnant woman before the man next to me did. I got up to give her my seat (and because I was getting off at the next stop) he practically pulled me down into his seat because he was so embarrassed that he didn't see her first. And so, while yes, Spain is still very much a "macho" country- there are some definite benefits to that machissimo!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Culture... the ongoing lessons
Cultural differences in international business are some of the trickiest things to navigate. Today, I had two separate incidents that highlighted differences in the culture.
1. La Senora with whom I've been staying went out (I assume to grocery shop as they do it practically every day). After about a half an hour, I heard the doorbell ringing. I then heard the doorbell of all the neighbors ringing. Another 30 minutes or so goes by before the lady of the house was able to get someone to let her in. Apparently, her key (which has an electronic code) stopped working. She asked me why I didn't open the door when I heard the bell. I didn't open the door because:
a. I would never open the door at someone else's house
b. I thought it was a peddler going door to door.
I think my reaction was fairly typical to what most Americans would do. We tend to want to keep to ourselves and not get involved. When I realized what I had not done, I felt terrible. I tried to explain that on Saturdays especially in the U.S. is the day for peddlers to go door to door. She said in Spain there is no such thing. Ok, so now I know.
2. I was at the store waiting to be helped. I stood at the cashier for what seemed to be an eternity. He didn't so much look up for get about acknowledge me. He was working on something else but my expectation was that he would have at least said "I'll be with you in a minute". I guess he figured I knew that.
One thing that seems to always be a challenge for Americans going abroad is our expectation of customer service. We need to remember that the type of customer service may be different. Case in point, after the gentleman directed me to another part of their store, I found a salesclerk who was more than helpful and was chatting me about a variety of things. I think it was because I had asked for something very specific to the Spanish culture and he was delighted that I had taken an interest in this.
1. La Senora with whom I've been staying went out (I assume to grocery shop as they do it practically every day). After about a half an hour, I heard the doorbell ringing. I then heard the doorbell of all the neighbors ringing. Another 30 minutes or so goes by before the lady of the house was able to get someone to let her in. Apparently, her key (which has an electronic code) stopped working. She asked me why I didn't open the door when I heard the bell. I didn't open the door because:
a. I would never open the door at someone else's house
b. I thought it was a peddler going door to door.
I think my reaction was fairly typical to what most Americans would do. We tend to want to keep to ourselves and not get involved. When I realized what I had not done, I felt terrible. I tried to explain that on Saturdays especially in the U.S. is the day for peddlers to go door to door. She said in Spain there is no such thing. Ok, so now I know.
2. I was at the store waiting to be helped. I stood at the cashier for what seemed to be an eternity. He didn't so much look up for get about acknowledge me. He was working on something else but my expectation was that he would have at least said "I'll be with you in a minute". I guess he figured I knew that.
One thing that seems to always be a challenge for Americans going abroad is our expectation of customer service. We need to remember that the type of customer service may be different. Case in point, after the gentleman directed me to another part of their store, I found a salesclerk who was more than helpful and was chatting me about a variety of things. I think it was because I had asked for something very specific to the Spanish culture and he was delighted that I had taken an interest in this.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The joy of getting lost...
Today, I got lost- accidentally on purpose! I started off with a definite destination and then when I arrived at my destination I started to wander with no particular goal in mind. I figured I would encounter a metro stop sooner or later and would hop on an get to a familiar place. When I didn't find a Metro stop for at least a half an hour, I didn't panic as I had cash and a credit card what else would I need? Certainly a taxi would be able to take me wherever I needed to go.
I did find a Metro stop eventually and in the process located a very nice park and a museum that I had never been to. In addition, I wandered into a store and found a very pretty dress. All because I decided to take the circuitous route to my destination.
The bottom line for international business- if you have an outline of where you want to be- you need to be able to have the flexibility to deviate from the best laid plans as you were surely have a curve ball thrown at you. Be prepared, be confident, have your "safety" card and go with the flow trusting it will all come together.
I did find a Metro stop eventually and in the process located a very nice park and a museum that I had never been to. In addition, I wandered into a store and found a very pretty dress. All because I decided to take the circuitous route to my destination.
The bottom line for international business- if you have an outline of where you want to be- you need to be able to have the flexibility to deviate from the best laid plans as you were surely have a curve ball thrown at you. Be prepared, be confident, have your "safety" card and go with the flow trusting it will all come together.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Absolutes...
In Global Business, we talk about "cultural imperatives" (must dos) in order to make good business. For example, you may have to bow to your host, present your business card a certain way or a variety of other things.
Yesterday, I came up with a few 'absolutes' of my own. They are as follows:
1. The U.S. Embassy is always in the "toniest" part of town. If you're looking for highline shopping, you'll find it near the embassy.
2. In addition to being situated in the best part of town, it always looks very industrial as opposed to other more "quaint" embassies that do not have to have the level of security required for the U.S.
3. While the U.S. is always the one to be criticized, there is always a line of people waiting to get documentation to come to the U.S. At the French embassy down the street, there is no one in line!
4. Getting lost in a city can have major benefits- yesterday I found a number of interesting sites because I took a wrong turn. They key is to remember to have the address you need to go to on you at all times and then simply jump in a cab when you're done being lost.
Takeaways from yesterday- when traveling abroad be prepared to go with the flow and it will turn out ok.
Yesterday, I came up with a few 'absolutes' of my own. They are as follows:
1. The U.S. Embassy is always in the "toniest" part of town. If you're looking for highline shopping, you'll find it near the embassy.
2. In addition to being situated in the best part of town, it always looks very industrial as opposed to other more "quaint" embassies that do not have to have the level of security required for the U.S.
3. While the U.S. is always the one to be criticized, there is always a line of people waiting to get documentation to come to the U.S. At the French embassy down the street, there is no one in line!
4. Getting lost in a city can have major benefits- yesterday I found a number of interesting sites because I took a wrong turn. They key is to remember to have the address you need to go to on you at all times and then simply jump in a cab when you're done being lost.
Takeaways from yesterday- when traveling abroad be prepared to go with the flow and it will turn out ok.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Packing the patience!!
After a very long travel day, I´ve made it to my destination albeit without my luggage and currently don´t know when my host will be home to greet me!
Yesterday, after a 4 hour delay out of Chicago, I barely got to Miami for a delayed flight. The reasons for the delays were many- mechanical, the president in miami and nature apparently there is a volcano or something erupting in South America creating a mess in Florida- if this doesn´t show what a globally connected world we´re in I don´t know what does. The bottom line is while we can do our best to be prepared ultimately we have to go with the flow. This is true with the journey as well as the negotiations- in the end the only thing we can do is be as prepared as we can be and then roll with the changes.
There were some positive outcomes of all the commotion yesterday. I had the opportunity to meet new people who readily shared with me suggestions on where to go to the best beaches while I´m here. Their recommendation has helped me to make a decision that I feel comfortable with.
Yesterday, after a 4 hour delay out of Chicago, I barely got to Miami for a delayed flight. The reasons for the delays were many- mechanical, the president in miami and nature apparently there is a volcano or something erupting in South America creating a mess in Florida- if this doesn´t show what a globally connected world we´re in I don´t know what does. The bottom line is while we can do our best to be prepared ultimately we have to go with the flow. This is true with the journey as well as the negotiations- in the end the only thing we can do is be as prepared as we can be and then roll with the changes.
There were some positive outcomes of all the commotion yesterday. I had the opportunity to meet new people who readily shared with me suggestions on where to go to the best beaches while I´m here. Their recommendation has helped me to make a decision that I feel comfortable with.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Spain the Spanish way!
As I prepare for my trip to Spain tomorrow, I have a "novel" idea....why not do Spain as the Spanish would do it. So, that's what I'm going to do- "no pasa nada" - I'm going to be open to the different possibilities, have dinner after 10 and enjoy the commotion on the streets!
Speaking of "commotion on the streets", I'm curious to see if the protests about the current state of the economy will continue. Currently, unemployment is extremely high especially among the younger crowd. I've read statistics that the unemployment rate for this group ranges in the 40% range! I hope to be able to talk to some of these people to get more information.
Speaking of "commotion on the streets", I'm curious to see if the protests about the current state of the economy will continue. Currently, unemployment is extremely high especially among the younger crowd. I've read statistics that the unemployment rate for this group ranges in the 40% range! I hope to be able to talk to some of these people to get more information.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)