My husband is in Prague on business. My in-laws, in Athens, are asking for our help to invest some very-needed cash in the US market. We are waiting for a head-hunter (oops, sorry, "executive recruiter") to get back to us on a position in Scotland and another based here in LA. And today I read an article which tipped my scale in terms of "urban nomad-ness" and really made me laugh: UBS has announced that it will allow its employees to veer from its previous standard recommendation of wearing "beige" undergarments to "allow" colors, including "red."
Really? Yup. The 157-year-old banking institution UBS has a history of providing detailed advice for its employees, which numbered 65,000 worldwide at the end of 2009. A handbook for bank trainees gives a country-by-country behavior guide.
In Russia, it tells employees to be prepared to hold your drink at business engagements and to "never reject an invitation to the sauna."
In Latin America, "turning up before an appointment might even be considered rude."
And in the United States, it says, "never criticize the President."
So I've decided to begin collecting notes on the "Traveling Urban Nomad's Guide to Adaptive Behavior." In other words, how to not screw your chances with clients, potential clients, new friends and even family.
Send me any thought, comments, funny experiences. I want to know more…like these:
In Hungary, it is frowned upon to smile at strangers. Why? They believe it is a sign of shiftiness, a sign of the "con." No influencing people with a winning smile there. Nope. It's the "monotone" that works well. Also, be very careful when making toasts with new clients as the saying for "To your health" is but a syllable away from "Up your a…" Magyars think it's particularly funny to trip you up on that one!
In Greece, if you need a taxi or are waving to a friend across the street, for heaven's sake do not put all five fingers up and wave them toward the person you want to attract. It means something similar to go do something nasty to themeslves…well it starts in English with an "f"…I think you get the picture.
Learn when to shake hands, with whom you can shakes hands, when shaking hands will cause a diplomatic incident. There are countries where it is appropriate to kiss a pig's butt, share the blood of an ox, even eat the brains of a monkey. But whatever you do in India, forget giving a gift made from a cow's hide!
So, please, dig deep. I want to know what cultural bloopers you've made!
So, please, dig deep. I want to know what cultural bloopers you've made!
