gdp's Comments

Relocation Tips & Strategies : Language, Culture, and Beyond

Sun, 8 May 2011 15:21:29 +0000

Hi Ron - thanks for your comments, nice to connect! I took a quick look at your blog, and it\\\'s great, thanks for sharing your experiences. You might also want to check out our Expat Coach Association at www.theexpatcoachassociation.com - we\\\'re a growing organization, and definitely want to reach and connect expats, so feel free to stop by any time!

Relocation Tips & Strategies : Language, Culture, and Beyond

Sun, 1 May 2011 18:31:17 +0000

Hi Anne - love your comment, thanks! Just discussed it with my host family, and they chuckled, agreeing that they are more oriented to the negative than the positive. I\\\'m sure we could have an intense discussion about the two cultures, and speaking styles (direct vs non-direct) that would surely influence each of our responses...Thanks so much!

Relocation Tips & Strategies : "Inception" - Is the End Real or Leonardo Dicaprio's Dream?

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 21:54:54 +0000

Hey, great info, thanks!

Relocation Tips & Strategies : Poll

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 03:36:48 +0000

Sure. Of course!

Relocation Tips & Strategies : "Inception" - Is the End Real or Leonardo Dicaprio's Dream?

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 01:28:05 +0000

Actually, strangely, that makes perfect sense to me! I think the wonderful thing about this movie is that it has gotten so many of us THINKING and in the end, it doesn't matter, but I love that this film has had such an impact on so many of us. I bet if we watched it over and over, we'd have a different impression each time and that's the great thing about it - there might not be a right or a wrong answer - it opens us up to a plethora of possibilities, and isn't that the best way for us all to live each moment of our lives?

Happy Holidays!

Relocation Tips & Strategies : "Inception" - Is the End Real or Leonardo Dicaprio's Dream?

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 02:00:14 +0000

Great - let us know!

Relocation Tips & Strategies : "Inception" - Is the End Real or Leonardo Dicaprio's Dream?

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 04:34:00 +0000

That\\\'s a great question. It\\\'s been a while since I saw the film, so my memory may be hazy, but here is what I recall. Everyone had a totem, or whatever they called it, and its purpose was to help them understand whether or not they were still dreaming, yes. I thought the deal was, if the spinning stopped, it meant Leo was NOT dreaming. At the end of the film, he spins his token/totem thing, and it sort of falters, but keeps on spinning, and then they cut - leaving us to wonder whether or not he is dreaming. Does anyone remember something different?

Relocation Tips & Strategies : Cultural Differences - Anger Sensitivities

Wed, 8 Dec 2010 02:14:44 +0000

I love that expression! Go grandma! I have to say, as an "innocent bystander" in different countries, witnessing displays of anger, it's a bit surreal how people in one country respond to it by caving in and almost rewarding the behavior, and people in another country react to the person like a deranged 2-year old in the middle of a temper tantrum! (No matter how old they really are....)

Relocation Tips & Strategies : Cultural Differences - Anger Sensitivities

Tue, 7 Dec 2010 22:47:24 +0000

oooh, that IS a good one, and it goes along with the motto I made for myself last week, "It's only a problem if you think it's a problem"! ;-)

Relocation Tips & Strategies : Cultural Differences - Anger Sensitivities

Tue, 7 Dec 2010 22:46:21 +0000

That raises a whole other interesting phenomenon I have noticed in NYC! It's so weird, at American restaurants, often times, I'm told that either they cannot make a substititution, or there is an additional fee if I want one. But, should I venture into any ethnic restaurant here, they will basically make me whatever I want! For example, I LOVE chicken saag at Indian restaurants, and the rare times I have not seen it on a menu, if I have asked for it, they had no trouble making it for me. Same goes in Chinese and Japanese restaurants, they make it fairly easy to mix and match - add veggies, remove meats, etc. Not sure why the American restaurants make this all sound so complicated and difficult, but there you have it!

Relocation Tips & Strategies : Cultural Differences - Anger Sensitivities

Tue, 7 Dec 2010 19:30:18 +0000

Hi - the fact that the US is a much more litigious society than France plays a DEFINITE role in behaviors - I have that discussion a lot with Friends in France. In the US, fear of being sued seems to drive everything. In France, it's everyone for him/herself. Regarding the rudeness, I never heard that. I have heard of people in France being rude, and sometimes encountered that, but, frankly, New Yorkers are reputed for being rude, too, so I think that's maybe a "big city stereotype" that is not always true. Some people are rude, some are nice, but I would never be intentionally rude anywhere in the world. In fact, I find waiters in France quite nice, except in very touristy locations. And, if you are rude to them, you can forget about ever getting your order, so I wouldn't bother! Instead of being rude to them, you would have to just leave.

Relocation Tips & Strategies : Cultural Differences - Anger Sensitivities

Tue, 7 Dec 2010 16:38:56 +0000

Hi Jennifer, I applaud your efforts! I'm sorry to say, perhaps you have been blessed not to witness it, but I have seen, many a time, in US department stores, and at places like TMobile, AT&T, etc. customers who, quite frankly, berate store employees with anger at their situation. A manager is brought in, and they try to resolve the customer issue - the more the customer yells, the more senior the manager that arrives, until the problem is resolved.

I witnessed this same type of behavior in France, at a train station, and the yelling customer was told repeatedly to calm down or he would not be helped. I don't think I've ever seen a US store manager say this to a customer.

Conversely, I think in comparing the US and France (and GENERALIZING ENORMOUSLY) , I notice a lot more comments like, "No", "I can't help you", "There's nothing I can do for you" happening very quickly in France, whereas in the US, there is more of an effort to help, or, if you can get to a 2nd line supervisor or above, you can generally find someone to help you get what you need - yelling or not!

I'm not saying I condone the yelling, by the way, just pointing out how differently the two cultures treat screaming customers, in my personal experiences.

You have demonstrated calmness, and also spent a lot of time and effort to talk to someone and then write a letter. Many people do not have the patience to do this, and when they get what they want by yelling at a store employee or manager, it only ellicits more yelling. Wait till the holidays! Step out to one of your local stores when there is a shortage of something, or a long line, I'd be surprised if you don't find a lot of yelling!

Relocation Tips & Strategies : Another Reason to Learn a New Language

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:46:39 +0000

I know! No one was around, and thought it wise not to wait, so I did what I had to, LOL!

Relocation Tips & Strategies : Expect Laughter When Transitioning Cultures

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 03:17:32 +0000

Hillarious! I know exactly what you mean about the bread. Oh and I dated an Irish guy a long time ago who practically hit the ground laughing when I mentioned my fanny pack!

Relocation Tips & Strategies : Cultural Musings – Ireland and the US – Part One

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 03:33:17 +0000

Hillarious! The tart with the cart - didn't hear that one! Who is the floozy in the jacuzzi? Unless you mean me in a vat of Guinness, enlighten me, LOL!

Relocation Tips & Strategies : "Inception" - Is the End Real or Leonardo Dicaprio's Dream?

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 21:31:01 +0000

Wow - I guess I didn't notice that the kids clothes changed, and I just love that this movie inspires so many differences of opinion, and so many brilliant insights - thank you for yours!

Relocation Tips & Strategies : Global Healthcare Comparison

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:36:50 +0000

Kathy - thank you for your fascinating, and educational post! I will definitely look into the resources you mention, and thanks again for taking the time!

Relocation Tips & Strategies : The Impact of Cultural Taboos

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:37:30 +0000

Great question! This is one of the many questions we are tackling in The Expat Coach Association. There are issues of ROI (Return on Investment), effectivness of international expansion strategies, and reaching the right people, among the answers. Some of our future programs will hopefully also help bring more visibility to this important training and awareness.

Relocation Tips & Strategies : The Impact of Cultural Taboos

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:02:29 +0000

Hi Jennifer. Thanks for your comments! I agree, every situation is unique. I do not support intentional mis-use of cultural taboos, and agree, that it not only increases misunderstanding, but is a guaranteed recipe for cross-cultural relationship failure in the workplace (and beyond.) This particular American employee was indeed angry and insulted because yes, it did impact his relationship with the person that found out. The American perceived that he was "bending over backwards" to be of assistance to the technician in India, and that his efforts were not respected. My point in the article is simply that cross-cultural training and relationship development is a TWO-way street (in this case, the team in India was not trained, but the American team was) and that lashing out with cultural misconduct is NOT recommended. To create a true synergy among teammates of different cultures, differences need to be understood, and respect worked into the equation.

Relocation Tips & Strategies : "Inception" - Is the End Real or Leonardo Dicaprio's Dream?

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 03:31:17 +0000

Great comment, thanks!