Lounsbury: Observation, cultural.

November 18, 2003

Observation, cultural.

As I mentioned, I have begun consulting on a project here, interesting work but can't speak to it.

However, I'd like to share a meeting - doing some relationship development, introducing some of the firm principals to my contacts. Discussion was on a sensitive topic.

Now, my local side contacts I know well, I had a post-Iftar sit down with them to rap about the sensitivities, set up the meet and generally lay the basis for going forward. Conversation went well of course, and we spoke frankly to certain sensitivities re "wasta" - connections, influence - and corrupt practices. Even the senior fellow, who I had not met before, spoke freely and frankly. Of course, we largely spoke in Arabic. Or better, Arablish - that fine little business langauge here.

Last night we had our post-Iftar sit down with the American principals and the local side. I was intrigued at how different the interaction was. First, my local side their interaction was oddly different. The frankness rather faded a bit, above all with the Old Man, the senior fellow. I can't attribute that to knowing me, I met him only a week ago and we spoke freely and frankly. Langauge? Perhaps me speaking in Arabic put him at ease.

Certainly I felt oddly ... not uncomfortable but I noticed how bluntly direct and... brusque the American principals were. I almost felt rubbed the wrong way. Yet at the same time, I recall they were as direct when I was meeting them.

I was thinking about this last evening: I think that I switch cultural modes of expression depending on the environment, and it feels funny when they are mixed.

It was also interesting to see through almost Arab eyes, my own, the differences as the meeting went on. It went well, I may add, and I think I will put together a deal between the two parties, get a bit of a success bonus, but nevertheless the interaction intrigued me - as did my peculiar sense of being neither here nor there.

November 18, 2003

Observation, cultural.

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