Cultural Situations Situation: Raj Kumar is a computer engineer who earned his M.S. in India. He came to the United States to work for IC&T, a computer software company. Raj's manager is Susan Fields, a middle-level manager a few years older than he is. The deadline for an upcoming project is in one month. Susan asked Raj if he could complete a project on time. He answers "No problem." After 2-1/2 weeks, he realizes that he will need another 3 weeks to complete the project. Situation: Anil Shastri has been in the United States for 2 months. His co-worker John Smith has been interested in learning about India and is generally friendly. He invites Anil to a party he is having at his house on the 4th of July. John says they are having a barbecue. Anil is interested in going, but is also somewhat reluctant. He tells John "I will definitely come!" On the day of the party, Anil does not go. John was expecting him and wonders why he didn't come. Why was Anil reluctant to attend the party? What should have John done differently? Should John ask Anil why he did not come? What should Anil give as a reason for not coming?
Our Response Situation: Gopal has just come to the United States on a work permit along with his family. David his co-worker offers to give him a ride home from work as they live in the same neighborhood. On reaching Gopal's house, Gopal invites David in to meet his family. David is running late, as he needs to pick up his wife. Not to disappoint his new friend he goes inside. Gopal introduces his wife to David and she quickly goes into the kitchen and returns with a tray loaded with Indian sweets, snacks, and a large cup of tea. David tries to excuse himself, telling them that he needs to go right away. However, Gopal and his wife insist that this is the first time he has come to their home and he needs to eat something before leaving. Our Response
Situation: Jim Clark is the CEO of a US firm and went to visit his Indian subsidiary at Hyderabad. He went along with his Indian Resident Manager to a client's place for finalizing a major contract. The meeting went well and Jim's company was able to get the contract. Jim wanted to take the signed contract back with him and so requested his client finish the paperwork that day. His client got the contract ready, but the client's CEO politely refused to sign the contract that day and requested him to pick it up the next day. (It happened to be a Tuesday after sunset.)
Jim wondered why the CEO did not sign the contract even though they mutually agreed to all the terms. Was he still deciding whether or not to sign? What does Tuesday and sunset have to do with the signing of the contract?
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