Is it an American thing to value small talk before meetings? I’m working with a European team and they just get straight to the point. Very unpleasant imo.

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Euro team sounds great

likefunnysmartuplifting

I recommend reading the book « The Culture Map » on the topic, by Erin Meyer. Very insightful!

likehelpful

Glad i could be of use with the reco! I found that it reads really well/easily too. :)

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God I wish I lived in Germany. No more "Happy Tuesday" "how are you" I'm well how are you" "hanging in there"

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It’s a very important observation that different geographies have cultural norms that may need to be followed.

Hawaii for example, we spent AT LEAST 10 mins at the start of each call ‘talking story’. It can be frustrating but it’s part of the work.

Hardos need not apply, you have to channel your inner aloha. 🤙🏻

funnyupliftinglike

Tubular....

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Idk I’ve seen some Europeans small talk for 10 mins in a 30 min mtng

likefunny

Low context vs high context culture. Sounds like you should flex your style to fit with your cooler, more assertive Euro friends

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Some cultural awareness training would be helpful for you. There are nuances with each culture, and each has its pros and cons. Stop looking at life from a US lens only 🙂

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Read The Culture Map. It’s a great book to understand cultural difference like these. Especially how it emphasizes how cultures differ relative to your culture.

And yes, as an European who lived in the US, Americans sure do like small talk. Can be perceived as fake or irrelevant by Europeans, for example when a cashier asks you how you are.

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Good, small talk is a waste of time usually

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It's more American than European. Europe is obviously a massive place with different cultures but even in UK small talk kept to a minimum. Not to be rude though,I think we see American small talk as being fake and insincere.

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Give me blunt talk over small talk any day. Also in USA blunt talk means you are getting fired while in Europe it means you are getting feedback to improve, not get fired.

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A few mins of small talk at the start of a call is fine to allow everyone to join. I cut it off once everyone’s on or if we’re 5 mins in and it’s time to move on

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Its different between states here. Compare new york, Texas. California and tennessee

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This sounds wonderful to me. Small talk is a waste of time.

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That’s how Europeans get away with working less hours. They re more productive

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Europeans are generally more of a straight to the point people, and less sugar coating and/or hurt feelings anything.

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I like the get to the point. Smalltalk makes my skin crawl. Its so fake and awkward.

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This sounds like Germany or a closely related country. I don’t remember the exact terms in the local languages but in both Germany and Japan, there is a social concept where people tend to have two behaviors/personalities. One is the public one, which you also bring at work, and the other one is the private one. People will usually make an effort to keep those two separate. I worked in German speaking countries and with most of my colleagues, we had no idea about each other’s life outside the office.

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Makes sense. Seems to work for them. Germany and Japan are the most innovative, industrious, technologically advanced small countries.

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I’m a little tired of having the same small talk conversation every day at the beginning of a call, sounds like Germany is the place for me 🇩🇪

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No. Spent some time in Afghanistan and Pakistan when I was in the Army. Business with the local military leaders or tribal elders didn’t start until we shared a couple cups of chai and random small talk was wrapped up. Wasn’t out of the ordinary for the shop talk/small talk portion of our meeting to double the time of actual business talk.

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Wish we did that

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Head down a Google search rabbit hole with ‘high vs low context communication’. A lot of cultural trends will become clear.

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Lol. I work with people all over the world and we always have small talk before a meeting starts.

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Maybe because you start it?

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