Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Guanajuato, Mexico - Arrogant Americans Need Not Apply

I can hear the screaming coming from the other side of the world. I have readers there, you know. Thailand comes to mind, if you must know.

I didn't say that, "Arrogant Americans." Someone else did and when they did it raised all sorts of hell.

An information technology staffing firm based in Rolling Meadows, Ill., posted an advertisement for a technical writer that warned that an "arrogant American" would not flourish in the position. "Exelon is looking to provide these proposals to Chinese businesses, so someone who is respectful and understands Chinese culture is preferred. An arrogant American will not work well in this role," the listing read. - SOURCE

Of course, the ad firm took it down as soon as the threats of lawsuits began flying faster than geese during hunting season. Such hues and cries of,
"offensive and inappropriate" and "Exelon is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion" were heard. Viva USA, an information technology consulting firm took the ad down. They shouldn't have.

Americans are now the "we can do no wrong" crowd and don't you dare saying otherwise. If you do, we will sue your buttock based on the profound legal precedent of "hurt feelings."

Actually they will quote the
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as the basis of suing you, but let's face it, they will come after you based on how tight that knot in their panties got twisted.

There is a reason why the ad originally read as it did. Americans come across to the rest of the world as an arrogant lot. It just has to be the "I am American hear me roar" attitude that it perceived as sour grapes by the rest of the world. It is "The American way or it's the highway" also tastes a little bitter to the rest of humanity.

In Mexico, you have to take a really long time developing relationships with Mexicans before you can discuss American arrogance with them. They don't want to offend and when they are assured they won't offend you, the info flows like water.

The Mexican also hates American arrogance.

Learn Spanish, take a few years to develop a trusting relationship, and they will most certainly tell you so.

##

Resources

1. THE PLAIN TRUTH ABOUT LIVING IN MEXICO
2. A WALK THROUGH MEXICO'S CROWN JEWEL - A Guanajuato Travelogue
3. ROCKET SPANISH
4. LEARNING SPANISH LIKE CRAZY


###

No comments: