Photo source: Flickr, photopressjapan
Yamamoto san is a new promoted sales manager of a Japanese lubricant engine oil and he is having his first business trip in Singapore with Chery (China) Singapore Ptd. Ltd.
Yamamoto san arrived Changi Airport at around 1am and there was no passenger waiting for taxi at the taxi stand at the moment.
Yamamoto san was so glad that he can have a taxi immediately after the arrival and he is waiting for the taxi's door to open. In Japan, the passengers do not have to open/close the door themselves and the door is "automatically" open/close for the passengers. In Singapore, it is different as in the passengers have to open/close the door themselves in order to get into/out of the taxi. Yamamoto san waited in front of the door for a while and the taxi driver was wondering what is wrong with this passenger.
The next day, when Yamamoto san has finished his meeting with his Chinese clients, his clients suggested to have Sichuan cuisine for dinner. Yamamoto san accepted the invitation immediately as he has heard about Sichuan cuisine very often but yet to have any chance to try it.
During the dinner, Yamamoto san didn’t really enjoy the food. Yamamoto san was not use to the Chinese style of having dinner “together”—as in every single dish is share by all. In Japan, everybody has his/her own “set” of foods and Yamamoto san was not aware of the Chinese way of having dinner. To Chinese, it is cozier and it is a friendlier way of approach. Also, it is a Chinese courtesy to pick up the food (by using chopstick) and offer it to other to show their respect or care to the person. But to a Japanese, Yamamoto san felt that it is not hygiene at all.
From this little tale, we can see the importance of intercultural competence. What if Yamamoto san is a typical traditional “sammurai-mind-set” Japanese: "Nan de su ka?!" A few hundreds dollar of dinner fare may tear down a multi-million worth of business.
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ReplyDeleteHi Ryan,
ReplyDeleteI completely understand the situation that Yamamoto-san faced. It will be rather difficult for one to adjust to having dinner where everyone shares the same dish especially if he/she is from a different culture where people do not share food. I guess this is where adapting and taking the cultural difference positively comes in. Though Yamamoto-san is not used to such customs, I believe he should still try his best to enjoy the dinner or in the least not use this as a reason to discontinue his business with the company. If one feels that another culture is not to his/her taste he/she should think the other way round too. Whereby there are others who are bound to think that his/her culture is not to their tastes. Hence it is important to always be appreciative and try to be accommodative in such situations.
As for the situation with the taxi driver, I guess it is difficult for everyone to understand all different cultures, hence once again accommodating and being patient with the different cultures comes handy.
Cheers,
Keerth
Hi Ryan
ReplyDeleteI agreed with what Keerth had said. Yanamoto-san could have been more tolerating for a different culture. I understand that japanese people are more hygiene in general and they are particular about the food they eat. I would suggest Yanamoto-san to look up on singapore culture or find a friend to speak to before coming so as to avoid an embrassement or a cultural conflict to occur.
Another thing that I am interested to find out is how was Yanamoto-san able to communicate with the chinese? I heard japanese people usually speaks only japanese lanugage, perhaps he has a translater around him? Perhaps the translater could also tell him more about singapore's culture.
In addition,I feel that even though Yanamoto-san did not like the idea about sharing the same food but he did not mention it to the people while they were eating. This probably show that he is slowly adapting to singapore's culture.
Eileen
Hi Ryan,
ReplyDeleteI believe it is Yanamoto-san's fault for not knowing the culture in Singapore before coming, not even a slight bit. If he wanted everything to be like Japan, he might have as well stayed back there.
In this case though, since he did not express extreme discomfort, it shows that he is trying to adapt to the new culture.
If he was the traditional mindset type, I am sure he would not have left the country in the first place. If he must, he would have brought along lots of company to make him feel "home" whereever he goes.
This tale indeed shows if one is unable to adapt quickly in a new culture, it might cost several holes in his pocket.
Regards,
Pak Ming
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comments!
As the matter of fact, Yamamoto-san should do his "homework" before coming to Singapore. Maybe he was "overwhelming" by his promotion.
Most of the Japanese are so busy that they dont even have time to "understand" the world. Maybe Yamamoto-san is one of them. Well, hopefully Yamamoto-san had learnt his lesson and start to appreciate Chinese's 5000-years-of-culture.
Cheers,
Ryan
Hi Ryan,
ReplyDeleteLooking at the situation faced by Yamamoto-san, i don't think it is wise of him to stick to his traditional japanese way of doing things in a foreign land. Just like the saying "When in Rome, do what the Romans do", Yamamoto-san ought to try be receptive to his surroundings and start to open up to different lifestyle of we Singaporeans.
If the world is filled with such closed-minded individuals like Yamamoto-san, there is no place for an open intercultural communication to occur.
Cheers,
Ariff
Hi Ariff,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment!
Yes, i agreed with you that it will not do any good to oneself who is closed-minded.
Maybe Yamamoto-san is an ego person, too and it was a good opportunity for him to get rid of his ego. LOL.
Cheers,
Ryan