Taking the Highroad Blog

Culture Date: A Celebration of Tapas Delights

August 29, 2009

When I teach my corporate classes on doing business abroad, one of the most common questions I get is “What are safe topics of conversation in my target country?” People want to bond with their colleagues abroad but they fear offending.

“Food” I tell them. Food is one of the few universal ties between cultures and after last night’s dinner I can understand why. After a week of training, meetings and exciting new ventures I was ready to celebrate. I had made it through some difficult challenges and wanted to toast to good health with my husband. After a bit of hemming and a fair share of hawing we settled on Sugo, a local Roswell restaurant with a blend of Italian and Greek cuisines (online here). We had eaten there for our wedding anniversary and I remembered it as extraordinary. I remembered right.

From the moment we walked in we felt the night light up like a diamond. The manager, a woman in a sharp business suit, flashed us a smile so genuine that I was caught off guard. I told her we had no reservations.

“No matter,” she said. “We’re excited to see you!” And I could tell she really was.

We were seated at a long table next to other couples and introduced to our server, Christine. Tiny white lights sparkled everywhere around us and Frank Sinatra poured through the speakers forming an atmosphere that swayed me into a delicious haze. The rest of the night was exactly what I had wished for – a celebration. We started with a watermelon martini, fresh squeezed to order and fabulously pink against the glass. As I don’t drink but a few times a year I sipped it slowly to avoid the room spinning around me.

In the spirit of a feast of adventure we elected to go with tapas instead of an entree. We looked to the couple next to us to see what they had ordered and started up a conversation. The whole place felt alive and filled with delights for every one of the senses. After a short time a waiter came to our table and placed in front of us a salad that looked as if it had come directly from a garden out back. Thick heirloom tomatoes covered with fresh basil, creamy mozzarella, figs, and balsamic vinaigrette began our banquet with a bang. We savored every bite until the next course came, dates wrapped in bacon topped with piquant peppers and cheese. I could hardly believe what I was tasting! The combination of flavors was beyond my capacity for description, so Jay and I just looked at each other and uttered whatever sounds we could muster.

Next came crunchy potatoes with dipping sauce, followed by sausage and carmelized onions, and roasted asparagus dusted with Italian breadcrumbs. Each dish burst with unique oils, spices, and obvious care. We ate, then rested, then ate again. Conversation flowed and we chatted with the people around us. Food was not just food last night; it was a bonding experience and a marker of the milestones of the week.

The next time you want to build a better relationship with your partner in China or your customer in Kenya, try some of their local food, then have a nice long conversation about it. You’ll find yourself toasting your next successful deal in no time!

All About Korea: A Healthy Obsession

August 16, 2009

Lately my life has been all about Korea, and this obsession has been almost entirely voluntary. A client asked me a few weeks ago to come to Dallas and conduct a series of programs on working with South Koreans. I relished the thought, because although I’m quite familiar with Korean culture I suddenly found myself wanting to dig into the country’s details – its creation myth, what spices are loved most by its people, what has gone most awry between Koreans and U.S. Americans.

As I mentioned in my previous post about batik art, culture is to me, above all, fun and fascinating. Through respect and competency in international business you receive enrichment, if you take it. My obsession with Korea spawned dreams of the country at night and a craving for kimchee. I found an amazing website hosted by the Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project (online at www.kscpp.net) and read an entire book of Korean folk tales in two hours. I flashed back to landing at night in Seoul on many occasions and seeing the lights on bridges and ships.

Last Monday I flew to Dallas for the trainings and that evening I went with my colleague to an Asian grocery store to buy Korean prizes for an activity I would do in class. There we explored the various packs of noodles, jellied squid, organ meats, spicy sauces, teas, Chinese clothing, plastic bowls, rice cookers, red bean candies, dried chilis and more. I purchased some roasted corn, packs of instant kimchee, and red pepper paste for my participants, wondering if they would really see these items as prizes. I would, but I was obsessed.

After shopping we ate dinner at a Korean restaurant next door and I slurped down hot stew with pork and a cornucopia of side dishes. Then I went back to the hotel to ponder how I would have a difficult conversation with my upcoming class. Although exploring different cultures is fun, it is also deeply painful at times. Most of the time pain comes from different world views colliding without warning.

In my prep work for the class I came across a case study that made even me uncomfortable. These are the best kind, so I immediately placed it in the class manual. I highly recommend this reading and discussion for anyone planning to work in Korea. You can find the case in Robert Kohls’ book Learning to Think Korean on page 84. The lessons within are many, but here’s one you might find useful: The definition of a “friend” in Korea is very different from that in the U.S. A friend in Korea is one with whom you share everything, for whom you would do any favor. To this friend you feel a deep sense of commitment and obligation, and that bond is for life. What many U.S. Americans call a friend Koreans would call an acquaintance or even a stranger. Imagine the difficulties that could arise from this difference. One other useful lesson in the case study is never to underestimate the importance of saving face in Korea. To do so is to risk irreparable damage to business relationships.

These two worlds of Korea in which I’ve been living, the fun world and the painful world, have equally enriched me. So if you have the curiosity, if you have been struck by the Korea bug, I say dive in. The kimchee awaits, as does the opportunity to strengthen business ties, boost revenue, and breathe in a culture full of soul (no pun intended).

Perspective: A Week on the Blueridge Parkway

August 2, 2009

This summer has not been the best for my husband Jay and I. As I mentioned in my previous post we experienced the devastating loss of a loved one and our spirits flagged under the weight of memories not yet bright. We stayed in Atlanta, living in the world of graveyards and keeping the house clean for family. While we were grateful for the opportunity to help our relatives and grieve for ourselves, our sadness was getting the better of us. We needed a change in perspective.

I have come to realize that part of why travel and cross-cultural interaction brings such richness to our lives is because they offer us a balcony view. A shift takes place when you travel, whether you want it to or not. You are altered and jolted out of your regular rhythms and given the opportunity to look again, and to renew. We hopped in the car and headed for Asheville, North Carolina, hoping to hit the reset button on our souls. From the moment we pulled into the Crooked Oak Mountain Inn, our bed and breakfast spot, I knew we had chosen the right road. Trees surrounded the property and rocking chairs on a stone patio overlooked the Blue Ridge Mountains. The innkeeper came out to welcome us and showed us around. I marveled at how much attention and care went into each room, each crevice and corner.

Over the next four days I came to the conclusion that the Blueridge Parkway is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in the world. We hiked through glorious vistas of the blue sillohueted mountains, tumbling waterfalls, and archways of trees. We pulled the car over every five minutes to gape at the overlooks along the Parkway, and the reality of life’s beauty stirred within me again for the first time in weeks. We delighted in sightings of groundhogs, deer, chipmunks, and flocks of wild turkeys. Every curve of the Parkway meandered and lulled us into a sweet peace of mind. I even had a new experience where I waded into the pool at the bottom of a waterfall.

But perhaps what fascinated me most was the culture of the mountains. Everywhere we went we felt the history of the music, the folk art, the men and women who worked on the Parkway, and the pride they felt in their accomplishments. We watched a film about a man who made his own fiddles as had his father before him and I wondered how deep my own roots went. All of the rangers and staff at the various national parks helped us to understand what these mountains really meant – an elevated sense of care, of place and timeless adventure.

Slowly our spirits restored a little as we dined on Asheville’s incredible, creative, locally grown, unique, flavorful food. Every morning the innkeepers cooked our breakfast from scratch: waffles, eggs, bacon, bagels, homemade muffins, fruit, and mint tea. After a day of climbing up to the waterfalls we reveled in dinners of shrimp scampi, coconut cucumber salad, grilled tuna, italian custard and homegrown pork with coleslaw.

Everyday I just wanted to hop out onto the Parkway. My jaw dropped every time we entered the road and I swayed to its rhythm, still feeling the pulse of the people who had built it. We breathed clean air and talked with friendly people, reminding ourselves that the joy of life was not too far out of reach in spite of our loss. As much as I value international travel, I was grateful to discover a santuary of perspective and renewal right in my own backyard.

Stay tuned for more culture dates, Part 3 of the Gulf Breeze Dream, and adventures in India!

Culture Date: Batik Making at Asia Festival

Greetings to all after a long blog hiatus. As many of you know my husband Jay and I had a very difficult summer with a death in the family and all of the trials that come with loss. We had a trip planned out West but stayed in Atlanta to support those who needed us. I didn’t feel terribly inspired for awhile, but last weekend I decided to venture out to the Asia Cultural Experience festival which featured dance, drumming, lectures, and food from countries such as Korea, Malaysia, India, Thailand and more. I met my dear friend Lynn Wong and we headed straight for the food court. Anyone who knows me will attest to the fact that I relish the act of eating, and the choices did not disappoint. Along with Lynn, a couple of new friends, and Narsi Narasimhan, Chairman of the Georgia Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, we dug into curried potatoes, shrimp pad Thai, fried rice, and bubble tea. After lunch we wandered, observing children in traditional clothing reconnecting with their heritage through dance. We ran into friends and enjoyed the day, but the best activity was yet to come.

The Malaysia Association of Georgia had a booth at the festival and we noticed all these kids gathered around their table with paintbrushes. Intrigued Lynn and I walked over only to discover they were making batiks! Batik, for those who have not been introduced to the craft, is a technique for decorating fabrics. Artists use molten wax to draw the patterns, covering the parts that they do not want colored. Once you’ve created your pattern you paint over the wax and textile, creating a piece of clothing or a wall hanging. The word “batik” is of Indonesian origin and is related to the Malay word “titik” which means “dot” or “point.” The technique has been found in many parts of the world, and I had strong memories of seeing the craft in Nepal where I lived for a year.

Lynn and I decided to try our hand at making a batik and sat down with our paintbrushes. I must confess I hadn’t smiled that much since our tragic loss; I lost myself in the art, even though I had no clue about “proper” batik making techniques. I swirled paint around and made a pattern meant to look like the stars in space and colored it with aqua blue, red, yellow and black. A small boy gave me some advice on improving my piece, and I implemented his wisdom with gusto.

One thing I like to remind my clients is that above all else, interacting with different cultures brings the reward of fun and enrichment. Cross-cultural challenges sometimes create struggle and the need to push through it, but like climbing a mountain you always have a chance to get a new perspective after the work is done.

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