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Speaking as a European, one thing I love about Americans is the understanding of how fast business moves. I've had conversations with people way above my "level

Speaking as a European, one thing I love about Americans is the understanding of how fast business moves. I've had conversations with people way above my "level" treat me like an equal. I believe this has to do with the fact that they realize that in two years, I could be in a completely different position (granted, there are other, less cynical factors as well). In Europe, talking to the CEO of a big company is much more likely to leave you feeling like a peasant addressing royalty in ancient times. I don't have the experience to back this up but I believe it's like this and worse in many Asian countries. It's related to the concept of Power Distance by Geert Hofstede (http://geert-hofstede.com/dimensions.html http://geert-hofstede.com/dimensions.html), but it's not exactly that. Denmark, where I am from, has extremely low power distance (even lower than the US: http://geert-hofstede.com/denmark.html http://geert-hofstede.com/denmark.html) which means your seniors will treat you like and equal but in a polite sort of way. There isn't the sense of you-might-be-in-my-shoes-tomorrow or at least that's how it feels to me.

talmand 13y ago
As an American, I've had both experiences. One job I had, I was hired by the owner of a multi-million dollar a year company at his kitchen table with his wife and their kids were making a racket upstairs playing. He was always approachable and a friendly guy. One of the best jobs I ever had. Years later he sold the company to some venture capitalist outfit out of Boston (I think it was Boston) that had hopes of expanding the business he created. Everybody at the top of that thing acted as if they were more special than anyone else in the room (including some high level people) not realizing they were just that somewhat interesting white speck on top of chicken shit. Once it became clear there was no interest in continuing the successful path of the previous owner, I left. Something like 75% of my department (including some high level people) thought the same and left as well. I put in my notice to my boss a day after he had put in his notice. That was a fun final two weeks.
ulfw 13y ago
Often in America this is just the outward appearance, because the way people talk is very informal. But when it comes down to business, there is a clear and distinct separation between levels there too.

talmand 13y ago

As an American, I've had both experiences. One job I had, I was hired by the owner of a multi-million dollar a year company at his kitchen table with his wife and their kids were making a racket upstairs playing. He was always approachable and a friendly guy. One of the best jobs I ever had. Years later he sold the company to some venture capitalist outfit out of Boston (I think it was Boston) that had hopes of expanding the business he created. Everybody at the top of that thing acted as if they were more special than anyone else in the room (including some high level people) not realizing they were just that somewhat interesting white speck on top of chicken shit. Once it became clear there was no interest in continuing the successful path of the previous owner, I left. Something like 75% of my department (including some high level people) thought the same and left as well. I put in my notice to my boss a day after he had put in his notice. That was a fun final two weeks.

ulfw 13y ago

Often in America this is just the outward appearance, because the way people talk is very informal. But when it comes down to business, there is a clear and distinct separation between levels there too.