Case 4 Group 4 A British national was sent to the United States to work in a subsidiary He was an engineer in a management position in charge of building a new factory for the corporation He was initi[.]
Case Study IB17A02_Chapter Case - Group A British national was sent to the United States to work in a subsidiary He was an engineer in a management position in charge of building a new factory for the corporation He was initially offered intercultural training; however, he felt comfortable because both countries spoke the same language and declined the training The British engineer later complained to the home office that he was not getting the cooperation he needed The home office hired an intercultural trainer to go to his office to review his correspondence and sit in on some of his meetings The intercultural trainer discovered that the U.S employees did not under- stand his communications The engineer was inter- jecting British humor and sarcasm in both his oral communication and his e-mail messages The U.S subordinates did not know when he was serious about a problem and when they were to ignore his statements What are some examples of humor used by people of the United States with foreigners that U.S persons expect foreigners to understand? Sarcasm: This is a common form of humor in the U.S., often used in informal conversation It involves saying something but intending the opposite, often in a dry or biting manner Sarcasm can be difficult to understand for someone not familiar with it or if English isn't their first language Self-deprecating Humor: Many Americans use self-deprecating humor, making light of their own weaknesses or mistakes, as a way to show humility or not take themselves too seriously This can be confusing to foreigners who come from cultures where preserving face or dignity is more important Irony: Irony, similar to sarcasm, involves expressing something which is contrary to the intended meaning Americans often use verbal irony for humorous or emphatic effect Puns and Word Play: The English language is full of homophones and homonyms, which lend themselves to puns and word play This type of humor is often used in casual conversation, advertising, and media It can be difficult to understand for non-native speakers or those not familiar with the nuances of the language Pop Culture References: American humor frequently references popular culture, including movies, TV shows, music, and celebrity news These can be particularly difficult for foreigners to understand if they are not familiar with American pop culture Slapstick Comedy: Physical humor or "slapstick" comedy is often used in American media It involves exaggerated physical activity that exceeds the boundaries of normal physical comedy This is more universally understood, but might still be confusing if it's tied into cultural references or language nuances Teasing or Playful Mockery: In a friendly setting, Americans might engage in gentle teasing or mockery This can be seen as offensive or confusing to those from cultures where respect is given more overtly or where the line between friendly teasing and rudeness is different Jokes and Anecdotes: Americans often tell jokes or anecdotes with a setup and punchline structure These can sometimes rely on cultural knowledge or linguistic understanding that may be difficult for foreigners to fully appreciate