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April 11, 2006
Going Back To That Whole Issue Of Perception . . .
Posted at April 11, 2006 01:17 PM in Race Relations .If Ouida Lindsey had added to board the words "American," oh my would we hear a few things about ourselves. For some of my friends who are not from this country, Americans are the most selfish, most self centered, most arrogant, most "I want everyone to cater to me" type they've ever met. They are not fond of Americans and their arrogance.
Americans Behaving Badly Abroad?
Compiled by the DiversityInc staff
© 2006 DiversityInc.com®
April 11, 2006
The "ugly American" (subscription required) gets a manners makeover.
Business travelers overseas sometimes do not know how to behave, and in order to combat anti-U.S. sentiment, "employees and executives of some big corporations who are bound for other countries will receive a 'World Citizens Guide' brochure with 16 tips" to improve the image of the United States, writes Scott McCartney, "The Middle Seat" columnist for The Wall Street Journal.
Some of those tips include making an attempt to speak the predominant language of the country you're going to visit and refraining from taking too much about "wealth, power, status or American pride."
"We are broadly seen throughout the world as an arrogant people, totally self-absorbed and loud," said Keith Reinhard, chairman emeritus of DDB Worldwide Inc., who is leading the effort through the nonprofit Business for Diplomatic Action Inc The nonprofit strives to get U.S. companies to work at improving the United States' reputation in the world.
Executives and employees are in need of "Miss Manners"–style lessons, writes McCartney, but there are some that doubt that personal interactions between U.S. citizens and those from around the world will change the perception of United States.
Business for Diplomatic Action's advice includes: Don't look at someone directly in the eye for too long in Japan, since it's considered rude; and don't hand-wave in Greece, a common gesture in the United States but an insult to the Greek. The guide also goes after stereotypical American traits such as "boastfulness, loudness and speed." The guide urges travelers to speak slower, eat slower and dress up when going abroad. Also, "Listen as much as you talk," the guide says, and "save the lectures for your kids."
"Anger, impatience and rudeness are universal turnoffs," the guide says, imploring employees to "Help your country while you travel for your company."
A polling firm sent questionnaires to people in 130 countries, asking them how they viewed the United States and "what Americans could do to make a better impression overseas." Omnicom Group examined the results and interviewed business execs throughout the world. While many polled saw the United States as "a land of wealth, opportunity, innovation, creativity and benevolence," they said they believe Americans "have a lack of respect for other peoples and are concerned only for themselves." In addition, many who participated in the survey said Americans have "little regard for local customs."
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