Culture Clash
Culture Clash
Late night socializing
is expected in many countriesA reader asked, "You have been able to give advice on dealing with many cultural differences. Is there a topic area where helpful advice is hard to offer?"
The answer is yes, and the cultural difference involves behaviors during late night socializing. I have spoken with colleagues from China, Russia and Japan, and they agree such socializing among businesspeople involves much alcohol consumption. Many Americans are health conscious and have cut down on their drinking or given it up entirely. So can Americans avoid alcohol and still do business in these countries?
Alcohol consumption among businesspeople serves the goal of developing closer relationships. In China, Russia, Japan and some other countries, there are many expectations concerning proper day to day behavior, especially for top executives. People don't talk about personal issues during the workday, for example, to the degree that Americans do.
Restaurants and nightclubs are places where businesspeople can "let down their hair" and talk about themselves. This sharing of personal information is easier after people have had a few drinks and feel less inhibited. People feel they can trust others after everyone has shown their inner selves under the influence of alcohol.
I have tried to develop a list of "substitute behaviors" that will serve the purpose of developing trusting relationships without the health hazards of alcohol.
How about modestly priced but carefully selected gifts that are of special interest to potential business partners? Unfortunately these gifts do not contribute to the important step of lowering inhibitions so inner selves can be displayed. How about karaoke, where people act silly while stumbling though a song? This can be part of the late night socializing, but alcohol will be served and teetotalers stand out.
My colleagues in "expectations of late night socializing" cultures have advice, but it deals with preparations for these events.
Businesspeople should talk to others about various non-prescription drugs and health food store items they might take to lessen the effects of alcohol. If they travel in a group, they might decide one of the younger people should drink less so someone can monitor business negotiations the next day. They can try to identify individual businesspeople in these countries who dislike frequent late night carousing.
In addition, they can continue the elusive search for various "substitute behaviors."
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