East and West

The cultures of the world constantly clash, they constantly intermingle, and they constantly find a way to sustain their existence in spite of each other.

When it comes tot he Far East and typical western culture, there are many cultural aspects that one could indicate are similar, if not identical.

The western values of greed and the bible's "Golden Rule," have both found their ways to the ends of the earth, with a few exceptions.

Of the social mores that have not been identically transferred to the Far East is business practices. This statement is not intended to offend the Far East, or indict the West, it is nothing more or less than an observation.

Business in the Far East is conducted on an "as-needed" basis. They work later and longer hours. their day begins later than in western culture, and ends when work is concluded, not when the clock strikes 5, or 6 etc.

From my personal exp it seems as if personal space, and personal time are of no consequence when it comes to the sake of business (for the Far East). Bottom dollar or top dollar is the goal, and shall be the aspect at the determines when business is considered concluded. If a greater profit margin can be attained through late hour negotiations, why should their be any objections?

The problems that can arise from such a perspective to business is that it clashes with western business practices. In the West your rise with the sun, bust your ass through the day, and the result at sundown is what will have to remain until the light shines again in the morning. It kind of follows the perspective that the business day is just that, the day. With the arrival of the evening, comes the necessary departure from the office, and the mental departure from the work that transpires within it.

Of course critical situations necessitate extensive measures. However, what exactly defines critical? The East seems to be much more willing to go the extra mile in any given situation. Perhaps Americans just do not work hard enough. Perhaps the Far East just works too hard.