Intercultural Misunderstanding-Asia Project

Summary

In this lighthearted business meeting set in China, two people from different cultural backgrounds engage in a somewhat awkward but humorous exchange. The American businessman tries to initiate a handshake but is corrected by his Chinese counterpart, who has a different approach to greetings. As the meeting progresses, the American casually eats his fast food while discussing the contract, which has yet to be fully reviewed. Ultimately, despite a few misunderstandings and a bit of frustration, both parties leave the meeting with the promise of further communication, creating an interesting clash of cultures in a business setting.

Takeaways

• 😀 The protagonist is feeling confident about a big business deal in China.
• 😀 The protagonist initially experiences a cultural misunderstanding with a handshake when meeting their Chinese counterpart.
• 😀 The protagonist is excited about doing business with Americans for the first time.
• 😀 A dinner reservation at Panda Express is made to discuss the business deal, showcasing the cultural differences in choosing venues.
• 😀 Despite the time crunch, the protagonist eats their Burger King meal during the meeting to save time.
• 😀 The protagonist has no prior experience in China but mentions their three years of international work experience.
• 😀 The contract is ready to be signed, but the protagonist's counterpart needs more time to review it.
• 😀 The meeting ends with the business deal not concluded, and the protagonist exchanges business cards.
• 😀 The protagonist has a humorous moment when struggling to remove French fries stuck under their nail.
• 😀 The protagonist is optimistic about finalizing the deal the next day and remains confident despite the delay.

Q & A

What is the main context of the script?

The script portrays a business meeting between a Chinese and American businessperson, discussing contract details and cultural differences in business etiquette.

What was the first cultural misunderstanding between the two people?

The American businessman offered a firm handshake, which is common in the U.S., but the Chinese businessman mentioned that this is not typically done in China.

How does the Chinese businessman feel about working with Americans?

The Chinese businessman expresses excitement, noting that this is his first time working with Americans.

What was the planned dinner venue?

The planned dinner venue was Panda Express, a well-known American fast food restaurant.

What is the American businessman doing during the meeting?

The American businessman is eating Burger King during the meeting, indicating that he is focused on saving time.

Why does the Chinese businessman want more time to review the contract?

The Chinese businessman mentions that he hasn't gone through the contract yet and needs more time to read it thoroughly.

What happens after the Chinese businessman expresses the need for more time?

The American businessman concludes the meeting, and both individuals exchange business cards, with the Chinese businessman indicating they will follow up the next day.

What is a specific personal issue the American businessman faces during the meeting?

The American businessman has a piece of French fries stuck under his nail, which he struggles to remove during the conversation.

How does the American businessman express his confidence in the deal?

The American businessman expresses confidence by saying, 'I think I got it' and mentions that he will have to wait until the next day to confirm the outcome.

What is the tone of the meeting overall?

The tone of the meeting is informal and somewhat casual, with cultural misunderstandings and personal distractions, but both parties appear optimistic about the deal moving forward.