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Protocol I Learned From Watching Movies
With the Academy Awards just around the corner I was reminded that I've learned a lot about protocol from watching movies.
What to give as a wedding gift...a pair of candlesticks is recommended in Bull Durham.
If I'm an American covert operative in Germany I better start counting with my thumb and not my index finger. I learned that from Inglorious Basterds.
I'm going to greet you with the "Namaste" in India just like Julia Roberts did in Eat, Love, Pray.
And when I want to really connect with someone I need to 'see you,' according to Avatar.
Yes, you can learn about a culture or a country from a good movie. Sometimes the entire movie will be a masters class in anthropology or sociology and other times you may just get an insight into gestures, traditions, foods or communication styles. Whether's it's Midnight in Paris or the The Iron Lady, I can always find something to enjoy and learn from the movies.
Let me know if you have a favorite movie that has given you some cultural insight that has added to your protocol expertise.
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| Case Study: Business & Holidays
In 2005 I heard the CEO of a US-owned paper producing company share this experience. The company had just established its first international manufacturing presence in Mexico. Soon thereafter it got a significant order the last month of the year that had to be ready by January. US managers were confident they could meet the deadline. No one in the home office realized the Mexican workers would be out for two weeks in December for the Christmas holidays.
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