Anyone from a culture different from America have any experience with business negotiations?

[W_HAMILTON]

Hi guys!

I have another project for my negotiations class where I am to interview someone from another culture regarding how they view negotiations. I assumed it was more generalized questions, but some of the questions I am required to ask are a bit more business-specific, such as "how would you show respect when doing business in your culture?"

Is there anyone out there who would be willing to help out? I would simply send you a private message with the questions, and then you would respond :) I will basically be taking your answers and using them to write a report, so your responses don't have to be formal at all -- the emphasis is on the information. There are about ten questions, similar to the one I listed above. I don't think it should take very long to answer.

Thank you!

[Aristus]

1. I don't have any actual experience with intercultural business negotiations,

but I've read a few things.

For example: I read somewhere that in Japanese culture, it's considered rude to tell someone 'no'. A Japanese businessman will instead say 'yes, but...'.
The article I read mentioned American businessmen coming out of a meeting with their Japanese counterparts thinking one thing about a deal, and finding out later that the Japanese negotiating team had intended quite the opposite.

[trof]

2. Some experience with the Japanese.

I was a pilot for Nippon Cargo Airways for 10 years.
I lost my last contract negotiation because I expected rationality.
It was in their best interest to accede to my 'demands', which were fairly benign.
They had a lot of money invested in me at that point.
But the important thing (to them) seemed to be that I did not accept their initial offer.

They're somewhat known for stonewalling in foreign employee negotiations.
Our way or the highway.
I chose the highway.

Then there's the business card thing.