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U.S. and British negotiators found themselves at a standstill when American company proposed that they "table" particular key points. In U.S. "Tabling a motion" means to not discuss it, while same phrase in Great Britain means to "bring it to table for discussion."
In addition to interpersonal cross cultural gaffes, translation of documents, brochures, advertisements and signs also offers us some comical cross cultural blunders:
Kellogg had to rename its Bran Buds cereal in Sweden when it discovered that name roughly translated to "burned farmer."
When Pepsico advertised Pepsi in Taiwan with ad "Come Alive With Pepsi" they had no idea that it would be translated into Chinese as "Pepsi brings your ancestors back from dead."
American medical containers were distributed in Great Britain and caused quite a stir. The instructions to "Take off top and push in bottom," innocuous to Americans, had very strong sexual connotations to British.
In Italy, a campaign for Schweppes Tonic Water translated name into "Schweppes Toilet Water."
In a Belgrade hotel elevator: To move cabin, push button for wishing floor. If cabin should enter more persons, each one should press a number of wishing floor. Driving is then going alphabetically by national order.
In a Yugoslavian hotel: The flattening of underwear with pleasure is job of chambermaid.
In a Bangkok dry cleaner's: Drop your trousers here for best results.
In an East African newspaper: A new swimming pool is rapidly taking shape since contractors have thrown in bulk of their workers.
Detour sign in Kyushi, Japan: Stop--Drive sideways.
At a Budapest zoo: Please do not feed animals. If you have any suitable food, give it to guard on duty.
In conclusion, poor cross cultural awareness has many consequences, some serious others comical. It is imperative that in global economy cross cultural awareness is seen a necessary investment to avoid such blunders as we have seen above.
For more information on how Kwintessential can aid you in your cross cultural needs please visit http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/cross-cultural/cross-cultural-awareness.html
Neil Payne is Director of London based cross cultural communications consultancy, http://www.kwintessential.co.uk