Culture Clash
Culture Clash
Different status symbols
communicate ‘I’ve arrived’'Why do you continue to raise cattle when you are losing so much money?" Gloria Sanchez asked of new acquaintance Matt Dunham, owner of the successful "Big D" restaurant in Dallas, Texas.
Gloria had recently moved to Dallas after graduating from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. Matt had told Gloria he owned a herd of cattle on a ranch about 50 miles outside Dallas, but he added it was a big money loser.
His explanation that both his father and grandfather had owned cattle seemed incomplete to Gloria.
There are status symbols in different parts of the United States that tell others, "I have been successful." This is one advantage to owning a ranch in Texas. This activity tells others, "I have made enough money to engage in raising cattle, a highly valued tradition with a rich history in Texas."
People make money in businesses such as oil, construction, electronics or retailing. In Texas, however, these businesses carry less status than ranching.
Texans sometimes say, "You have to be rich to even consider raising cattle." The message of this comment is similar to the joke shared by musicians.
Question: "How do you make a million dollars in the music business?" Answer: "Start with two million dollars."
There are status symbols in other parts of the country. Expensive country club memberships exist in most medium- sized and big cities. In Northern New England, ownership of ski equipment and clothing that follow fashion trends rather than the requirements of the sport communicate high status. In cities along ocean coastlines, owning a yacht signals success, even if people work so hard that they go sailing only two or three times a year.
This incident and analysis developed from conversations with Lane Kelley of the University of Hawaii College of Business Administration. He is originally from Bryan, Texas.
There are benefits to raising cattle that can have important financial implications.
If people own cattle, they can network with other influential and wealthy people. They can go to the cattle auction and chat with others about land deals, various investment opportunities, politics and the status of budget-related bills in the legislature. But if they don't bid on cattle, they may not be taken seriously and will not be encouraged to participate in serious discussions.
People may dress well for the auction, but they may be dismissed as "all hat and no cattle." Texans use this phrase to refer to individuals who have an attractive outward appearance but who cannot follow up this image with substance and achievement.
Richard Brislin is a professor of management and industrial relations in the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Business Administration. He can be reached through the College Relations Office: cro@cba.hawaii.edu.
The purpose of this column is to increase understanding of human behavior as it has an impact on the workplace. Special attention will be given to miscommunications caused by cultural differences. Each column will start with a short example of such confusion. Possible explanations will be offered to encourage thought about these issues.
Richard Brislin is a professor in the College of Business Administration,
University of Hawaii. He can be reached through the
College Relations Office: cro@cba.hawaii.edu