Comments by "Helmuth Schultes" (@helmuthschultes9243) on "American Reacts to What the Rest of the World Thinks of Americans" video.
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It is one thing for a tourist to complain about all the foreigners they see visiting say Spain on holiday. Expecting why don't they learn English so they can answer me when I get lost in their strangely named streets. Have they made any effort to speak a foreign language? NO.
Quite another matter when a business person seeking to do some business in a foreign country, EXPECT that the businesses they seek to deal with have to be fluent in English. Why no effort to at least be able to handle a basic level of the language of that foreign country. If not prepared to do so themselves how about hiring an interpreter to assist their effort. Why should the people they want to meet be fluent in English, or provide the interpreter, it is they that seek business contact. If that foreign company comes to the US to establish business, they send people with English ability, or at least have a trusted interpreter with them. It is appropriate for the seeking company to be prepared.
Another bad business approach, stomp into the reception without any prior appointment, state you have little time, so insist immediate contact with XYZ department. When asked to make an appointment as the people required are not currently available , out of office, with another client, in a meeting demand again immediate attention. No wonder they get nowhere. I arrived at a company once, also without appointment two US businessmen seemed closed to threatening legal action if no one attends to their needs NOW. I was concerned I was not having any luck, as I had just over an hour before needing to be two kilomters away at airport checkin to fly home. My employer needed urgent supply of some special glue for production processes, and I received the request mere hour earlier as I departed Kyoto for the airport in Kobe, a trip in the Japanese Bullet train. I had walked with my suitcases, no taxis at the taxivrank, maybe a half mile to this company. After the two US business men being sent away, escorted by security, due to their belligerent manner, I explained in humble quiete terms my urgent need and that I was flying out that evening and now was having little time. The young lady at reception nodded and made a phone call. Very soon another young girl with better English, as I too spoke no real Japanese, except common greeting terms, and proper humble behaviour, bowing and simple queries. Again explained my needs. She too made a couple of calls and stated unfortunately the people I needed were in a meeting, expected to finish about the time I was due to be at airport checkin. But if lucky these persons might be available in half hour. I accepted the situation and asked if I may wait till I must urgently make my way to the airport. Not only was I invited to wait, but some refreshments and snacks were given.
Some 20 minutes later I was taken up in a lift to a conference room and four people greeted me. They were most pleased that I have business cards with both English and Japanese details (by the way forbidden by my manger as only for senior executives, but my chief engineer had arranged these). They could not do enough. In 15 minutes I had a complementary 2 Kg tin of the glue, as sample, several catalogues, a basic quote for larger batch of the required glue, and promise to follow up with our purchasing people, for which I provided details received in the email requesting me to make that contact.
Interesting was two of these people need to then return to the meeting they were in and I was told sorry about the rude visitors earlier they actually had demanded these other two, I had just been dealing with, were required to meet with them.
I was then driven by one of their chaufer cars to the airport.
Now that is the proper way to get business to business activity. Especially in Japan and most Asian countries. No harsh demands, be humble ,apologetic about language barrier. You get more from offering honey than vinegar.
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