Communication updates

[Asp Explorer]

I freelance and often work with US clients. I find Americans tend to be more polite in business matters, however they are also likely to tell you things are "awesome" and "great" regardless, however I have learnt to completely ignore any praise because it will no doubt come with many subtle caveats later.

"Yeah that looks awesome, really great...really great working with you. Could you just change this, and this, and this, and this, and this, and this."

I don't think its because Americans are non-genuine though, just more polite and very equipped for corporate situations.

Oh I know exactly what you mean!

I work at a very large corporation in America, the slightest tiny bit of negative thought on a project will get you your pink-slip (p45) faster than light.

The whole thought-process these people have is very alien to me. If there is a problem, fix it and make sure that what caused it is eliminated so it doesn't happen again! But no - that can't happen because the root cause is a showcase for technology X, and utterly vital to the strategic goals of the enterprise etc.

All the booyas that go on when the slightest trivial thing comes online is unbelievable, they congratulate themselves to an almighty degree if they manage to open a Word document.

It really is amazing

 

[Komemiute]

I freelance and often work with US clients. I find Americans tend to be more polite in business matters, however they are also likely to tell you things are "awesome" and "great" regardless, however I have learnt to completely ignore any praise because it will no doubt come with many subtle caveats later.

"Yeah that looks awesome, really great...really great working with you. Could you just change this, and this, and this, and this, and this, and this."

Heeeeh, been there...

 

[deMangler]

Oh I know exactly what you mean!

I work at a very large corporation in America, the slightest tiny bit of negative thought on a project will get you your pink-slip (p45) faster than light.

The whole thought-process these people have is very alien to me. If there is a problem, fix it and make sure that what caused it is eliminated so it doesn't happen again! But no - that can't happen because the root cause is a showcase for technology X, and utterly vital to the strategic goals of the enterprise etc.

All the booyas that go on when the slightest trivial thing comes online is unbelievable, they congratulate themselves to an almighty degree if they manage to open a Word document.

It really is amazing

As a Brit I myself have been surprised by this on more than one occasion. Great to work with Americans, really fun and productive in a way, but sometimes the fact that we are on completely different wavelengths is disguised by the common language. The weirdest is when suddenly everyone is clapping for some reason and you are thinking... what just happened?

 

[Mars]

I remember in the Xcom game my immersion was somewhat broken just after they downed a small alien spacecraft and everyone started cheering and whooping.

I remember thinking that it is only a small alien craft, shortly followed by thinking that if that was a British team, they would just smile and someone would say that it was “Jolly good” and then someone else would offer to make some tea.

 

[Calico Jack]

As for the handshaking, there is a certain etiquette to it, and from my limited (world) experience we brits are typically better at it than most (not saying all!).

We may be good at handshakes, but we suck at the friendly kissing on the cheeks thing! As a Brit with French relatives I never know if I'm supposed to do two.. or three... or (goodness!) four?

Even in the UK it can be awkward, apparently I regularly freak out the good folk of Surrey (at least my wife says so), with my kissy London ways.

 

[Krollin]

We may be good at handshakes, but we suck at the friendly kissing on the cheeks thing! As a Brit with French relatives I never know if I'm supposed to do two.. or three... or (goodness!) four?

Even in the UK it can be awkward, apparently I regularly freak out the good folk of Surrey (at least my wife says so), with my kissy London ways.

I thought it was two, unless in Belgium, then its three?

Kro

 

[Arctic]

I thought it was two, unless in Belgium, then its three?

Kro

It's 2 mostly everywhere, but yeah, it can be up to 4 depending on the region...way too much if you ask me

 

[Krollin]

It's 2 mostly everywhere, but yeah, it can be up to 4 depending on the region...way too much if you ask me

Personally, there is no such thing as too much kissing

Somewhat off-topic for my own thread but mehh, is funny.

Kro

 

[Oss133]

Personally, there is no such thing as too much kissing

Come 'ere, you!

 

[ianw]

We may be good at handshakes, but we suck at the friendly kissing on the cheeks thing! As a Brit with French relatives I never know if I'm supposed to do two.. or three... or (goodness!) four?

Even in the UK it can be awkward, apparently I regularly freak out the good folk of Surrey (at least my wife says so), with my kissy London ways.

Heh - I remember when I first met my wife's brothers in Spain - struggled a bit with the kissing/hugging thing at first - all that stubble just feels weird!

Even here now with friends (and at the school gate sometimes) - there's such a mix of nationalities I'm never sure who's going in for the hug/kiss or just a handshake.

One of the mums in particular who we don't see that often goes for the full body squeeze which is particularly interesting in the summer months given her habit of wearing vests and skirts that look more like a belt!



Of course as someone who's been married for a long time I don't actually object to this approach

Anyway - what were we saying about communication?