Right then, well ... this might offend some of you. Say, if you're at all defensive about the U.S. reputation abroad - or if you think the French still haven't thanked you enough for our grandparents' sacrifices ... but so be it. This is my little soapbox.
I've spent the last several years operating in global teams. Of course, I was based in the U.S. for most of those years. But now I'm based over here and my job is European Leader of blah blah blah. So I often find myself representing Europe in a team that includes, and is often led by, Americans. And I'll tell you what (read that in a Hank Hill voice) ... it's been eye-opening and educational.
There is definitely a "vibe" that comes from U.S. colleagues -- kind of a 1-sided sort of a thing. And this might very well have been true of me when I was the U.S. based team leader, but it's kind of an assumption that because a person is an American, he/she has the best knowledge and insight. And all non-Americans on the call have the burden of proof to show otherwise. And it often takes on a certain belligerence from the U.S. side. Of course, there's nothing wrong with a challenge or tough questions. But shutting down free 2-way communication is problematic.
I asked around a little among European colleagues and I think it's a generally understood phenomenon. Anywho, to quote my favorite moralists from Southpark: "I think I learned something today ..."
20 comments:
It's a multipolar world. I'm rollin' with that.
No offense taken. In fact, I would venture to say that for most people who were born after 1960, they wouldn't know the difference between Normandy and Norman (Okla.).
A question that come to mind, however, is "From whom is the vibe coming." Is it from the Americans who feel frustrated that the French don't seem to understand the American "Can do" attitude?
Is it from the French who perhaps feel bias toward the Americans who have historically excelled in almost all endeavors except, perhaps, most things cultural?
For my part, in terms of Franco/American relations I would like to see the attitudes on both sides as reflected in the Johnny Mercer lyrics,
"You've got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
and latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between
Yeah, you know, because Europeans -- particularly the French -- have never been known for this sort of thing.
Please -- there's no question Americans can be all elbows when it comes to interacting with people of other nationalities.
But we didn't invent it and we don't own the franchise.
I spent four years over the last decade dealing regularly with colleagues in 24 countries throughout the Americas, and frequently found myself on the receiving end of such treatment.
"I spent four years over the last decade . . ."
My point exactly!
WHAT is your point exactly?
If you had one to make, you sure didn't make it.
As I read Craig Bob's blog, my understanding of his point was that the "vibe" given by Americans to others (read Europeans) is that we believe we have "the best knowledge and insights" regarding most matters and we convey that attitude toward them. My response to CBIP essentially was that maybe Americans are not as bad as we are perceived to be and that both Americans and Europeans should try looking at the positive aspects of our relationships instead of focusing on the negatives.
My response to your statement "I spent four years over the last decade . . ." was that in the Americas you, too, experienced a kind of bias basically because you are an American. My POINT is that Americans seem to get a "bad rap" from an awful lot of people from other countries and I, for one, would like to see a more conciliatory attitude all around.
I worked for 4.5 years for a French bank, and a good number of years for Swiss banks (five? not worth checking for a comment...), and a several years for a Scandenavian bank (as part of a consulting firm)... ...and there were some very interesting cultural things going on, it is true, and the tradition of the 'American Can-Do' attitude was part of it, no doubt.
I think it is even fair to say that Americans having essentially invented Capitalism, that we perhaps once were, and perhaps still are a little better at business, and that contributes.
In my opionion there is still an expectation that Americans will come in and 'make it happen' and even, I found, a hope that this will occur (heck, it was why they hired us, sometimes), and yet also a disrespect and dislike of the can-do approach. A love-hate relationship, perhaps, or a hate-love relationship.
But no worries, it seems that we are growing closer and closer to the European model every day. :)
And probably by the time we get there, Europe will be somewhere else. :)
So in short, I guess I am saying that this cultural rift is far from one sided. Starting as we do with so many expectations and presumptions, and when there is such a difference in the kind and amount of cultural and social inertia that people carry, it is hard to stand away from the steriotypes.
But from an 'American' point of view, the belligerence was always on the other side. We were just 'trying to get the job done', and that was often percieved as threatening. :)
So, Benjamin, as an experienced banker, is it a good thing that ". . . we are growing closer to the European model?"
American can-do attitude is a good thing. It's one of the reasons I got this assignment.
But there are cultural differences - and American unilateralism is one of them. The U.S. doesn't have that market cornered. Russia comes to mind. Even Germany showed a little of it recently.
And it's been interesting, educational, enlightening, etc to be on the wrong end of American unilateralism.
Germany, huh?
Keep a suitcase packed and some cash on hand, bro -- you're living in the crosshairs.
Man it still creeps me out when you make those German invasion jokes. Like 9/11 jokes.
Who's joking? How long do you think the French and Germans can keep themselves from going after each other? Historically, the two biggest troublemakers and busybodies on the European continent.
Seriously, yo -- it's just a matter of time before the panzers roll into Paris and you find yourself goosestepping down to the brauhaus for a bottle of Beck's.
You're right. I take back everything I said about American insensitivity. ;-)
It's not insensitive to tell the truth. Particularly when the life and limb of a friend may be on the line.
In the immortal words of that great Zen philosopher-poet Don Henley: I could be wrong, but I'm not.
Just so you know, when I Google craigbobinparis it asks me if I meant *craig bobino paris*.
To Fyodor:
No, No, Not in a million years, no.
But we are, and unless people learn a lot of things over the next two to four years that they didn't learn over the last four decades, it ain't gonna change.
All my best...
To Benjamin:
An astute observation!
I fear, however, that since most of us "don't learn from history [we] are doomed to repeat it".
Best wishes
I've been so busy, trying to keep up with FB, I just now caught up with your blog........and read through all of the comments. I'm making a comment to say that I'm glad I haven't had the experience I need to make a comment. It makes me sad to think about the phenomenon.
To Lora,
Don't be! To some of us it is refreshing to be reminded that some people manage to avoid the cynicism and negativity that is too prevalent today.
Your attitude actually reminds me somewhat of Rousseau's who, to quote one of the internet sites, was said to have ". . . considered people good by nature, but corrupted by so-called civilization."
I hope you and Craig had a great time in Spain. Savannah and Kevin are getting really excited about seeing both of you, as well as the sights, sounds, and flavors of Paris, next month.
Best wishes
To Elaine and Lora,
Obviously, I made a mistake regarding the comments made by Elaine. Please forgive me.
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