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Doing business with Americans? HSBC has some (hilarious) cultural advice

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Doing business with Americans? HSBC has some (hilarious) cultural advice
by Tamsin McMahon on Friday, July 20, 2012
Article Link

So you want to do business with Americans, but worry about overcoming the cultural nuances that separate us from our neighbours to the south? HSBC bank has a handy Expats Guide to doing business in different countries that offers an (unintentionally) hilarious glimpse at the subtle differences between Canadians and Americans, including Canadians’ apparent unease with giving their dinner guests a house tour and Americans’ love of using sports analogies in business negotiations.

Here are some of the cultural traits HSBC recommends you keep in mind when doing business across the boarder (and we are quoting):

ETIQUETTE FAUX PAS

Canada:

    Avoid the “V” for victory and the “thumbs-down” gestures.
    Use your entire hand to point, not just your finger.
    Don’t compare Canada with the US

U.S.:

    [Avoid] anything that might be misinterpreted as sexual harassment
    [Don't] boast about your accomplishments and achievements, salary, income or belongings
    [Don't] stand too close to someone you’re speaking with, lest you impose on their sense of personal space

CULTURE

Canada:

    People from the Atlantic Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland) tend to be a bit more reserved and provincial.
    Ontario is Canada’s business hub, and its inhabitants are generally businesslike and conservative.
    Western Canada (Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan) tends to be open, friendly and relaxed.
    British Columbia can be thought of as being somewhat unconventional, and often is touted as the future of the nation.
    Quebec’s people have a proud French cultural identity, and tend to be highly independent.
    People from the north retain a strong pioneer spirit.

U.S.:

Americans are raised from childhood to see themselves as distinct, separate individuals who create their own destinies and are responsible for their own lives. As such, they consider themselves accountable for their decisions. They view themselves as independent and self-reliant, and for this reason can appear self-centred to those from less individualistic cultures.

ATTENDING A DINNER PARTY

Canada:

    Be punctual, though 15 minutes late is fine for a small gathering or party.
    Offer to help prepare before or clean up after.
    Don’t ask for a house tour, since Canadians are private and only allow guests in their public rooms as a rule.
    Don’t rest elbows on the table, and always keep your hands visible.
    Continental style reigns, with fork in left hand and knife in right, though American style (switching your fork from hand to hand) is permissible.

U.S.:

    Be on time for dinner, and no more than 10 minutes late for small gatherings.
    You may be told to make yourself at home, and you’re expected to do so, and to ask for anything you require.
    You may be given a tour of the house.
    American table manners involve holding the fork in the right hand and using it to eat. Hold it tines up. The knife cuts and spreads things. To use it, switch the fork to your left hand. To eat, switch your fork back to your right hand.

BUSINESS MEETINGS

Canada:

    Most Canadians prefer business to be concise, and meetings begin with a minimal amount of small talk. However, there may be more time spent on relationship-building in Quebec.
    Meeting with Anglophones are more democratic. Meetings with Francophones may include less involvement of lower level employees.
    Feelings are not considered important in business. It is better to state information with the words “I think” rather than “I feel”.

U.S.:

    Meetings generally start with little or no small talk.
    Americans may be blunt when countering ideas that others put forward, and interruptions may be common in an animated discussion.
    When Americans say “Yes” or “No” they mean it. “Maybe” means “It might happen”; it does not mean “No”.

BUSINESS NEGOTIATIONS

Canada:

    Communication is generally direct. Canadians have no difficulty saying “no.”
    Strive to create compromises.
    French Canadians will carefully analyze every detail of a proposal, regardless of how minute.

U.S.:

    American negotiators can become frustrated if too much time is devoted to relationship building rather than negotiating.
    Unlike many cultures where eloquence is important, Americans are more concerned with making their point.
    It may at times seem that American negotiations are run by lawyers. This is because there is strict government legislation concerning many facets of business.

COMMUNICATION STYLES

Canada:

Communication is moderately indirect. Although most Canadians can disagree, they prefer to do so with tact and diplomacy. They prefer to maintain an understated demeanour. Their communication style is pragmatic and relies on common sense rather than aggression. If you come from a more direct culture, you may wish to soften your demeanour and tone so as not to appear threatening.

    Greetings tend to be relatively informal, which demonstrates Canadians’ belief in egalitarianism.
    Canadians enjoy debating issues. Being able to argue your position with informed opinion will help you gain respect.
    Making eye contact during conversation adds to the credibility of the communication. Sustained eye contact throughout a conversation is expected.

U.S.:

For the most part, Americans do not hesitate to ask direct questions. These are not meant to be offensive. Their reliance on speaking concisely and relying on facts can make American speech seem rude, aggressive, blunt or impatient to people from cultures that are more relationship-oriented. Since many Americans speak only English, they are not always sensitive to the challenges someone faces when communicating in a foreign language. Americans often used sporting analogies that are not easily understood. The following are ones frequently used in business:

    Ballpark figure: Give a good estimate
    Play hardball: Compete well
    Drop the ball: Make a serious mistake
    Monday morning quarterback: Someone who tells you what you should have done after the fact.
 
GAP said:
Doing business with Americans? HSBC has some (hilarious) cultural advice
by Tamsin McMahon on Friday, July 20, 2012
Article Link

Here are some of the cultural traits HSBC recommends you keep in mind when doing business across the boarder (and we are quoting):

Seriously MacLeans, do you not employ proofreaders anymore?
 
GAP said:
Canada:
Being able to argue your position with informed opinion will help you gain respect.
There it is again. I must be Canadian.  :nod:
 
GAP said:
Doing business with Americans? HSBC has some (hilarious) cultural advice
by Tamsin McMahon on Friday, July 20, 2012
Article Link

Americans are raised from childhood to see themselves as distinct, separate individuals who create their own destinies and are responsible for their own lives. As such, they consider themselves accountable for their decisions. They view themselves as independent and self-reliant, and for this reason can appear self-centred to those from less individualistic cultures.

What American's are we talking about here???  The same ones that sue a coffee company because it was too hot??  The same ones that have warning labels on everything because "its not my fault, I'll sue the company to get free stuff"

Don't get me wrong, I work with American's everyday, I like the majority of them, (and it might just say born in USA on my passport) but accountable is not a word I would use.
 
bcbarman said:
What American's are we talking about here???  The same ones that sue a coffee company because it was too hot??  The same ones that have warning labels on everything because "its not my fault, I'll sue the company to get free stuff"

Don't get me wrong, I work with American's everyday, I like the majority of them, (and it might just say born in USA on my passport) but accountable is not a word I would use.

You are speaking of a small, self entitled minority. Most Americans aren't the litigation crazy idiots that garner all the attention.

Most Americans that I've dealt with (and that's been a lot) are honest hardworking types that do hold themselves accountable for their own decisions.

The vast majority of them are also a hell of a lot more polite, and forgiving, than a large number of Canadians that I've dealt with.

If all you deal with are self centred, boorish types, you need to get out more and experience the real world outside your tiny cloistered one.

The Ugly American is a myth.
 
recceguy said:
You are speaking of a small, self entitled minority. Most Americans aren't the litigation crazy idiots that garner all the attention.

Most Americans that I've dealt with (and that's been a lot) are honest hardworking types that do hold themselves accountable for their own decisions.

The vast majority of them are also a hell of a lot more polite, and forgiving, than a large number of Canadians that I've dealt with.

If all you deal with are self centred, boorish types, you need to get out more and experience the real world outside your tiny cloistered one.

The Ugly American is a myth.

Now that I've moved to Winnipeg, I frequent the US often. My experience has been one of a polite, courteous and helpful people. I agree that we only hear about the loons, but they're just flotsam and jetsam, and not what in my experience real Americans are like.
 
GAP said:
CULTURE

Canada:

    People from the Atlantic Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland) tend to be a bit more reserved and provincial.
   

Really?  Not that I've ever noticed.  ;)
 
bcbarman said:
What American's are we talking about here???  The same ones that sue a coffee company because it was too hot??  The same ones that have warning labels on everything because "its not my fault, I'll sue the company to get free stuff"...

In fairness to the Americans whom you are stereotyping, that particular McDonalds had repeated been warned by the local FDA to reduce the heat of its brewed beverages, as they were hotter than the licensed safe temperature.  The lady putting the coffee between her legs before driving away was not doing the smartest thing, but the reason the judge found in her favour was predominantly due to the particular franchise's repeated violations of the applicable food regulations.

As well, I once saw a TV program comparing Americans and Canadians and interviewing both groups, almost to a person, the Americans were very complementary to their Canadian neighbours, while Canadians came across as quite 'ugly' in their critique of the "average American"...it was rather telling to see both nationalities almost appear as the opposite to the stereotypical images.


Regards
G2G
 
In my experience, and I shop both in person and on-line, Americans have grasped the concepts of customer service and customer satisfaction far better than Canadians.  I have never been treated in a condescending manner by an American merchant.  Sadly, I cannot say the same of Canadians.
 
Haggis said:
In my experience, and I shop both in person and on-line, Americans have grasped the concepts of customer service and customer satisfaction far better than Canadians.  I have never been treated in a condescending manner by an American merchant.  Sadly, I cannot say the same of Canadians.

Agreed 100% with one amendment. The average Canadian shopper is both ignorant and rude when dealing with salespeople. The question I often ask, Who became rude and ignorant first?
 
2 Cdo said:
Agreed 100% with one amendment. The average Canadian shopper is both ignorant and rude when dealing with salespeople. The question I often ask, Who became rude and ignorant first?

Ive found that shoppers are equally rude to employees at a store regardless of the border.  But would agree that American store employees understand customer relations much better than Canadian stores, especially at larger big box-style stores.
 
recceguy said:
If all you deal with are self centred, boorish types, you need to get out more and experience the real world outside your tiny cloistered one.

The Ugly American is a myth.

I deal with 200-500 United States residents a day. I lived in Dallas, Texas for 6 months.  I know of what I speak.

A stereotype is a preconceived notion of cultural behaviors.  Are there more people that defy the stereotype then define it??  Probably.  Could I give you a breakdown of the ratio?  Not a chance.

When a person is ignorant and insists that it is YOUR fault that they made a mistake, well, that is not taking responsibility for an individuals actions. 

Want more examples?  Why are teachers receiving the blame for failing schoolchildren??  Should the onus not first be on the child, then the parents, then the teacher?

How about the "the government needs to bail us out of this big bank problem" Umm, stop investing in the banks, overspending on credit cards and buying new cars every 3 years.

Or the one I had at work yesterday:
Client:"I did not know what to do with my card or how to get out, YOU need to label this place better"
Me: "Ma'am, there are signs everywhere telling you what to do with your card, as well as a interactive diagram on the screens everywhere telling you where the exit is.  If you stopped texting for a minute and paid attention to the area, you would know what to do and not look like a fool in front of everyones else, while holding up the line"

To quote another American, Barney Stinston (although with current storylines, if his newly-found father became a naturalized Canada, Barney would be a Canadian citizen as per the amendments to the Citizenship act of 2009)

Barney Stinson: Robin, not only were you wrong, but you stubbornly stuck to your guns and insulted me in the process.
:salute:
Barney Stinson: Congratulations, you are an American.


 
bcbarman said:
I deal with 200-500 United States residents a day. I lived in Dallas, Texas for 6 months.  I know of what I speak.

A stereotype is a preconceived notion of cultural behaviors.  Are there more people that defy the stereotype then define it??  Probably.  Could I give you a breakdown of the ratio?  Not a chance.

When a person is ignorant and insists that it is YOUR fault that they made a mistake, well, that is not taking responsibility for an individuals actions. 

Want more examples?  Why are teachers receiving the blame for failing schoolchildren??  Should the onus not first be on the child, then the parents, then the teacher?

How about the "the government needs to bail us out of this big bank problem" Umm, stop investing in the banks, overspending on credit cards and buying new cars every 3 years.

Or the one I had at work yesterday:
Client:"I did not know what to do with my card or how to get out, YOU need to label this place better"
Me: "Ma'am, there are signs everywhere telling you what to do with your card, as well as a interactive diagram on the screens everywhere telling you where the exit is.  If you stopped texting for a minute and paid attention to the area, you would know what to do and not look like a fool in front of everyones else, while holding up the line"

To quote another American, Barney Stinston (although with current storylines, if his newly-found father became a naturalized Canada, Barney would be a Canadian citizen as per the amendments to the Citizenship act of 2009)

Barney Stinson: Robin, not only were you wrong, but you stubbornly stuck to your guns and insulted me in the process.
:salute:
Barney Stinson: Congratulations, you are an American.

You can as easily be talking about Canada...........in spades.

You just seem to attract idiots, no matter from where.

Thank God the rest of us don't.

Way to take one for the team and be the magnet.

Thanks :salute:
 
HSBC?

Shouldn't they be talking about their expertise? Financing terrorists and tips in how to launder dirty money?
 
That's another subject entirely; or perhaps they have an online tip sheet for that too...?
 
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