cultural misunderstanding
By Michaelyou
@Michaelyou (182)
China
April 26, 2010 6:57am CST
Hi guys,
Once, an English collegue told me to come to an appointment at half ten. I thought she meant half past nine and I had to wait for an hour until she showed up. For her, half ten meant half past ten.
Is that funny? But of this misunderstanding when doing business is really bad.
Have you got misunderstanding just like this? Share it and have some fun!
6 responses
@syankee525 (6261)
• United States
27 Apr 10
i had something like this happen to me when i worked for a company who deliveried things to resturants, and the guys said something to me and i didnt understand him since he spoke whatever he was. and then he got mad at me and threw a case of papper towls at me, so i just push the case away, then he jumped in my face yelling at me.
i was nice at first then he made the mistake calling me an sob, yeah that didnt go over to well
1 person likes this
@Michaelyou (182)
• China
28 Apr 10
Hi man,
That really sucks and I am sorry for you!
But what was happened then, you just let it go and there was still misunderstanding between you two?
The man yelling at you was kina unpolite and even a normal one can't behave like that!
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
28 Apr 10
there were a few times that it happened to me. and not even with different culture but also happens with the same culture. i guess it is just that we have to clarify things beforehand and so that we cannot be mistaken the other way.
@Michaelyou (182)
• China
28 Apr 10
Hi man,
You got it totally! We need do things this way, clarifying things before hand and never going away until things done with crystal clear!
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
26 Apr 10
I was traveling in Australia and I cut myself in an accident. I went to a shop and asked to buy some plasters. The man thought I wanted to get drunk. Now that was an awful misunderstanding.
In Tunisia I was buying some food in a supermarket. I wanted to buy some fruit juice and I couldn't understand what the shop assistant was saying. I picked up what I thought might be fruit juice but she showed me her pretending to clean the floor! Needless to say I didn't buy that to drink!
I come from England and to me half nine would be 09.30 and half ten would be 10.30. 12 can be midday or midnight. I heard that some tourists to Spain missed their flight that was at 00.10. They thought it was at 1 in the morning. But it was ten minutes after midnight.
@Michaelyou (182)
• China
28 Apr 10
Hi maximax8,
It is really WOW! Things get totally different when we traveling abroad. I learn much here and thank you for sharing your precious experiences.
Have a nice day, Ms!
@elmiko (6630)
• United States
26 Apr 10
no i don't think its funny. its just a simple misunderstanding. i guess i would consider it spilled milk which means little problems. i think its best to be more clear in such circumstances to avoid these mistakes. the person should have just said 10:30
@Michaelyou (182)
• China
28 Apr 10
Hi there,
spilled milk for meaning little problems, that is new to me and thank you for sharing this! Some situation, just putting thing simple can be really effencient to our business.
@AjaySinghBaghel (5506)
• India
27 Apr 10
I have never in such situation and do not wish to be in future. Whenever I have any confusion about time or anything , I better clarify that instead of keep guessing and finally end up with nothing. I am sure you will be more carefull going forward as it was a funny incident for you.
Better to make the things clear instead of being confused :)
@Michaelyou (182)
• China
28 Apr 10
Hi there,
YOU are so lucky! And you know, runing into such misunderstanding things is really sucks!
