Getting ahead of the Roman Empire
Over the past few years I have heard people discussing the importance of cultural differences by quoting the expression: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. What bothers me about this belief is that it implies that we have not evolved one bit since the Roman Empire in dealing with cultural differences. It is as if we still eat lying down and have gladiators fighting lions to amuse the people!
Let’s check our timelines here. We were first informed extensively about the academic subject of cultural diversity (cross-cultural management) in the early 1980s and it became of true managerial interest in the 1990s. Since 2002 we have also added a cultural intelligence quotient (CQ) to the existing notions of intelligence (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ). It would seem that we have indeed moved on from the Romans!
Am I too hard on the Romans? Let’s try to put things into context by looking at Japan. In most Western books that detail simplistic ‘do’s and don’ts’ when dealing with the Japanese, foreigners are ‘taught’ about the Japanese formal bowing ritual within the business context.
I challenge you check this with your Japanese contacts, as I am sure they will confirm that most foreigners don’t know when and how to use the formal bow appropriately. How could they? It is a ritualised greeting tradition that takes years to master correctly, i.e. without offending anyone.
In a training session for a Japanese organisation, the Japanese management executive expressed relief that the formal bow by non-Japanese was gradually disappearing. Thus for foreigners, ‘doing as the Japanese do’ does not always work and it highlights yet again the complex nature of cultural differences.
Just imagine a cultural custom from your home country that other people start to mimic. Personally, I would not be amused if a foreigner came to a meeting with me wearing clogs – or maybe I would! I never wore them in the Netherlands in the first place.
In Singapore, I have also heard quite a lot of foreigners using the ‘Can do-la’ way of talking to show that they have ‘been around’ and speak a bit of Singlish. To do that may seem to some Singaporeans as if you are trying to make them look like uneducated people with a poor understanding of British English (when, in fact, Singlish is a proper language!).
Develop understanding first
‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do’ means that when visiting a new place, you should try to do as the locals do. The culturally appropriate response would be to develop an understanding about the cultural nuances first and then try to get your head and heart around what it is that makes the people tick.
You may find that copying their behaviour is not as effective as the ‘do’s and don’ts’ books say. Once you have an idea about the cultural values, local customs, rules, etiquette and behaviour, check that you understand correctly what they mean before you start to use them.
This may actually prove that you have practised what cultural intelligence preaches: using your head (the knowledge), using your body (physical), and using your heart (the emotions/motivation) appropriately to improve your business contacts and to enhance your communication with the new culture. Copying, mimicking or pretending to be a local might offend and send an inappropriate message.
While we are busy preparing ourselves by using culturally inappropriate behaviour as shown in movies (Lost in Translation was not that accurate or funny), and being misguided by simplistic tips, we could be wasting valuable time.
My advice would be, ‘When in Rome, do as the culturally prepared do’. That is, come well informed, well prepared and well motivated. The head, body, and heart approach always makes the difference between an effective business relationship and an embarrassing or costly mistake.
|
