Comments on: Is “it” in you? http://polymerstudios.com/2008/09/25/is-it-in-you/ Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:34:32 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.3 hourly 1 By: craigsanatomy http://polymerstudios.com/2008/09/25/is-it-in-you/comment-page-1/#comment-873 craigsanatomy Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:34:18 +0000 http://polymerstudios.com/blog/?p=149#comment-873 I know next to nothing about Asian culture, but I have spent a little bit of time in China, and studying Mandarin. In Chinese culture, if you are given a compliment, the polite thing to do is not to say "thank you," like we do--because then you are agreeing that you are as awesome as the other person says you are, which is considered arrogant. The polite thing is to disagree and say "mei-yo" (literally "have not") meaning you don't have the awesomeness that you were accused of having. It seems like that may be a broader Asian cultural tradition, since the Karen people are exhibiting similar humility. And I agree 100%, if sales reps (like me) would take that kind of attitude, it would almost force decision makers to let their guards down, and really listen to what the rep has to say. I know next to nothing about Asian culture, but I have spent a little bit of time in China, and studying Mandarin. In Chinese culture, if
you are given a compliment, the polite thing to do is not to say “thank you,” like we do–because then you are agreeing that you are as awesome as the other person says you are, which is considered arrogant. The polite thing is to disagree and say “mei-yo” (literally “have not”) meaning you don’t have the awesomeness that you were accused of having.

It seems like that may be a broader Asian cultural tradition, since the Karen people are exhibiting similar humility. And I agree 100%, if sales reps (like me) would take that kind of attitude, it would almost force decision makers to let their guards down, and really listen to what the rep has to say.

]]>