Culture is Fascinating! Did you know that our bumper stickers reveal values unique to the U.S. that are often prevalent in U.S. business? A high level French expatriate confided that he was astonished when he saw a U.S. bumper sticker that read: “My child is an honor student at Hoover Elementary School.” He was shocked by the outright boastful proclamation regarding what he considered to be the job of every elementary school student. He deduced that perhaps this is the reason why U.S. Americans need individual recognition and “atta-boys” at work. In the U.S. it is common to praise someone for a job well done when in fact, the Frenchman said, “That is what you are being paid for.” In France, one does not boast; one is expected to perform well. The phrase “pas mal” (not bad) is a complement. Praise and adulation are suspect and considered less than sincere. Yet the French and other cultures with these beliefs still have a way to motivate their workforce and recognize outstanding performance, but the difference is subtle. How do we adjust our expectations and assumptions when working with other cultures? Global LT's Cultural Training Programs - Praise and Motivation: U.S./France