http://knowledgenetwork.thunderbird.edu/columns Thunderbird Columns Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:09:29 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Bridging Cultural Barriers, by Boyé Lafayette De Mente Because of the importance of social class, rank and precise behavioral forms in pre-modern Korea, all Koreans became incredibly sensitive about the behavior of others as well as their own actions because there were so many ways they could get into trouble. Doing ... http://knowledgenetwork.thunderbird.edu/columns/2009/04/28/korea/ Bridging Cultural Barriers, by Boyé Lafayette De Mente There are well over 500 keywords in the Japanese language that clearly define and explain the mindset and behavior of the Japanese in all of their business and political relationships — elements that foreigners must be aware of and know how to react ... http://knowledgenetwork.thunderbird.edu/columns/2009/04/21/harmony/ Bridging Cultural Barriers, by Boyé Lafayette De Mente Since ancient times Chinese, Koreans and Japanese businessmen and government officials have used the sensual appeal and entertainment skills of young women as integral elements in creating and maintaining their professional relationships. This custom appeared very early in China, apparently at least 3,000 ... http://knowledgenetwork.thunderbird.edu/columns/2009/04/14/geisha/ Bridging Cultural Barriers, by Boyé Lafayette De Mente Guanxi (gwahn-she), or “connections,” is one of the most used and most important words in the Chinese vocabulary — and increasingly so in the vocabulary of Americans and other foreigners doing business in China … so much so, in fact, that it is ... http://knowledgenetwork.thunderbird.edu/columns/2009/04/07/china/ Bridging Cultural Barriers, by Boyé Lafayette De Mente It may be a bit difficult to accept the idea that Koreans have a deeply embedded need and desire for anshim (ahn-sheem), or “peace of mind,” after you have engaged in a bargaining session or had a personal encounter with someone. Koreans regularly ... http://knowledgenetwork.thunderbird.edu/columns/2009/03/31/anshim/ Philanthropic Adviser, by Betsy Brill Betsy Brill, a 1983 Thunderbird graduate, founded Strategic Philanthropy Ltd, a global philanthropic advisory firm based in Chicago. The firm supports the design and management of giving strategies for individuals, families and the corporate market. This monthly column for the Thunderbird community is an opportunity to ... http://knowledgenetwork.thunderbird.edu/columns/2009/03/31/donortrends/ Bridging Cultural Barriers, by Boyé Lafayette De Mente Just as there is Mexican time in the culture of Mexico and American time in American culture, there is also Mexican truth and real truth. And again, this element in Mexican culture is a product of the convoluted history of the country. As ... http://knowledgenetwork.thunderbird.edu/columns/2009/03/24/mexicantruth/ Philanthropic Adviser, by Betsy Brill Betsy Brill, a 1983 Thunderbird graduate, founded Strategic Philanthropy Ltd, a global philanthropic advisory firm based in Chicago. The firm supports the design and management of giving strategies for individuals, families and the corporate market. This monthly column for the Thunderbird community is an opportunity to ... http://knowledgenetwork.thunderbird.edu/columns/2009/03/17/obama/ Bridging Cultural Barriers, by Boyé Lafayette De Mente Many foreigners are familiar with the Japanese term kata (kah-tah) from its use in the martial arts, where it describes the forms or processes used in training. But kata are far more important to understanding and dealing with the Japanese than this martial ... http://knowledgenetwork.thunderbird.edu/columns/2009/03/17/kata/ Bridging Cultural Barriers, by Boyé Lafayette De Mente One of my favorite pieces of Confucian philosophy (quoted from China’s Cultural Code Words) is: “Attempting to rule people by laws that require them to act the same leads to resentment and disobedience of the laws and to feel no shame!” Confucius believed ... http://knowledgenetwork.thunderbird.edu/columns/2009/03/09/demente-2/