4 ms·

I can't say I would have done any differently than he did, putting myself in his situation, regardless of the interpreter's advice. Handle the situation with a

I can't say I would have done any differently than he did, putting myself in his situation, regardless of the interpreter's advice. Handle the situation with as much diplomacy as possible once the issue has been brought up, sure. But I'll be fucked if I'm going to sit in a meeting while the presenter uses my slide containing a "chart I had laboured over for months" to illustrate his company's strategy, while passing it off as their own. "We weren’t sure if we should feel insulted or complimented, but after a few deep breaths (and a lot of kicking under the table by my head of business development) my smart VP of business development used it as an opportunity to point out how honored we were that there was an obvious strategic alignment between the two companies." And there's an example of the diplomacy I was speaking of. I'd be fine putting a spin like that on it if required, for the sake of maintaining the relationship. But no way would I sit there and smile without saying a word.

ErrantX 17y ago
Im not sure I agree to be honest; indeed it looks like salvaging the situation rather than diplomacy. In that situation they handled it really poorly and both sides lost an incredibly amount of face. My understanding of cultural stuff in Asia is above average but not complete: I do know enough, though, to say that a continued business relationship was an incredibly lucky outcome all round.
- jonny_noog 17y ago
  Im not sure I agree to be honest; indeed it looks like salvaging the situation rather than diplomacy. I would tend to agree, but I guess my definition of diplomacy includes salvaging situations. My kind of diplomacy isn't all roses and puppies. Half my family is Asian (though not Japanese), I have a personal interest in Japanese culture and I'm generally aware of the cultural differences between East and West. Irrespective, I still would not sit tight in a meeting and smile while someone passes off my work as their own, regardless of how much face is at stake. I wouldn't much enjoy living with myself after such an episode.

ErrantX 17y ago

Im not sure I agree to be honest; indeed it looks like salvaging the situation rather than diplomacy. In that situation they handled it really poorly and both sides lost an incredibly amount of face. My understanding of cultural stuff in Asia is above average but not complete: I do know enough, though, to say that a continued business relationship was an incredibly lucky outcome all round.

jonny_noog 17y ago
Im not sure I agree to be honest; indeed it looks like salvaging the situation rather than diplomacy. I would tend to agree, but I guess my definition of diplomacy includes salvaging situations. My kind of diplomacy isn't all roses and puppies. Half my family is Asian (though not Japanese), I have a personal interest in Japanese culture and I'm generally aware of the cultural differences between East and West. Irrespective, I still would not sit tight in a meeting and smile while someone passes off my work as their own, regardless of how much face is at stake. I wouldn't much enjoy living with myself after such an episode.