Recently, I read an interesting article on the importance of studying another culture, an interview of Philippe Guettat, Chairman and chief executive of Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouet. The article was featured on The New York Times International business section. I noticed, especially in the section where he talks about his life in China, excerpt below, that this is exactly what our Unicultural® training delve into.
Not just understanding the etiquette and dos and don’ts, but respecting, and adjusting ourselves to the way other cultures work and value people. The more we resist and do things “my way”, the more resistance you will get, and in effect a failed assignment or project. Managing a team, means working well and maximizing the talents and resources you have in the people you work with. It is imperative to understand and adjust our own way of behavior, in a strategic way.
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What could be the quintessential food related to the Oscars that took place yesterday? Well, it does take place in Los Angeles, CA, and some of the articles mention that the stars go straight to this establishment after the Oscars. That is In-N-Out Burgers! Here is some history about the restaurant from their website. The chain store has a surprisingly rich history. The 1st store was opened in 1948 by Harry Snyder as California’s first drive-thru hamburger stand. Harry would pick out all the fresh ingredients himself. Soon after, he invents a unique two-way speaker box to have better customer experience when ordering drive-thru. Unfortunately, the chain has not yet reached the Mid-West or East Coast of the US. The stores are opened all throughout California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and some places in Texas.
So what makes In-N-Out Burgers so special? Watch this passionate explanation from Anthony Bourdain himself, claiming In-N-Out burger as his “favorite restaurant in LA”! What I’ve personally found is that their customer service is like no other fast-food establishment. The employees are all so energetic, passionate about what they are doing, and don’t give off even a slightest feeling of being there against their will. The burgers and fries are absolutely delicious and fresh, and the menu is so simple. I have personally been to many different In-N-Outs, and the level of service and food quality does not change, whether it be at the airport, or in the middle of a suburban town. If you have never experienced In-N-Out Burgers before, it is so worth a trip to California to try. Order the burger the way you like, and also with Animal style. You can ask for animal style on fries too! Don’t ask questions, just trust me on this one. Photo from Thrillist article on 13 things you didn’t know about In-N-Out Burger I don’t think I am the only one that looked forward to a last minute Snow Day as an adult. A complete snow day gave us an indisputable reason to stay home and let unordinary things happen for the day, whether it be spending half an hour to make the perfect mocha coffee, or going to gather wood outside to make a fire indoors. Normal life does not allow that kind of luxury.
Maybe we can learn from other cultures that have been making friends with this cold harsh season, and let a snowy, cold winter make us slow down and enjoy the comforts of resting more and slowing down our pace of life. This article from Vogue magazine goes into the Norwegian style of surviving the winter, beautifully written and makes me respect cultures that figured out how to spend half of the year with little power from the sun. In Norway, koselig—pronounced kush-lee—is more than a concept. It is part of the culture. Local bars often supply wool blankets and sheepskin or reindeer pelts that you can pull over your lap while you sip a pint or share a bottle of wine. Interior spaces are designed to radiate light, and many bathrooms have heated floors to warm slush-chilled feet. If we are to live half our lives in the cold, we might as well make friends with it and enjoy the coziness that comes from being close together with friends in a warm, inviting environment, having less on our agenda to spend more time doing the unexpected. This article on Kinfolk also goes on to give suggestion on what to do on a Snow Day. On a snow day like today, commit to enjoying this cold break by going outside to enjoy the beauty of snow and ice, or curl up under the blanket to enjoy a well-made mocha coffee. Don’t worry, you can enjoy it, because it’s a special day. |
AuthorUnicultural team and trainers, sharing our views and experiences on everything cultural. Archives
May 2016
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