Introductions…

Bjorn | Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 | 43 Comments »

What is CultureMutt and why should you bother reading it? Let me answer those questions by giving you some reasons to stop reading right now:

1) CultureMutt will be shamelessly biased.
2) “Cure Culture Clash” the byline of this new blog, is obviously an impossible suggestion.
3) CultureMutt will not even pretend to be academic in its approach to cross-cultural relations.
4) Some may find topics discussed offensive, disturbing or somehow inappropriate.
5) There is ridiculous complexity to the area of cross-cultural relations and CultureMutt will revel in it.

And now for the sales pitch: Cross-cultural savvy is an absolute MUST whether your goal is wooing that exotic new tight-T-shirted addition to accounts payable; landing the lucrative Tokyo account or simply avoiding looking like a complete idiot on vacation in Florence. Gone are the days when complacent isolationism worked. As Pulitzer-winning New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman puts it, “The World is Flat”. His advice for his daughters is, “Girls, when I was growing, my parents used to say to me, ‘Tom, finish your dinner — people in China and India are starving.’ My advice to you is: Girls finish your homework — people in China and India are starving for your jobs.”

If you want success in today’s increasingly globalized landscape then you have to understand people that come from other places and think entirely differently. In the words of Mexican poet and diplomat, Octavio Paz, “Life is plurality, death is uniformity.” The future belongs to those who can understand cross-cultural complexities.

Here are some upcoming blog post titles:

1) “You’re Hired.” When being in the multicultural know can mean a paycheck.
2) Seduce a Swede. Steps 1-5.
3) Offend Anyone Anywhere With These Five Simple Screwups.
4) Haggle like a pro. Navigating a Filipino market without looking tightfisted or being ripped off.
5) Border Skirmish: Boundaries in Cross-cultural relationships.

Your comments and opinions are more than welcome so don’t be a stranger. See you soon.

43 Comments

At 2009.09.29 20:43, Jammie said:

nice-suh! i’m especially interested in blog post #2

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- At 2009.10.07 22:27, Bjorn said:
  
  Now I’ve posted it:)
  
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At 2009.09.29 20:52, Jael said:

if you need help with #3, I can help a nigga out

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- At 2009.10.07 22:28, Bjorn said:
  
  Seems like you are doing your part on Facebook too…
  
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At 2009.09.29 21:43, admin said:

Jael!!! What are you offering help with? Academics or being offensive?:)

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At 2009.09.29 21:43, admin said:

I’ll have the tutorial with me on the Seoul visit…

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At 2009.09.29 22:19, Melissa said:

First time on the site… Like it! And I totally want in on blog post #2 for when I move to Sweden , me and my Volvo

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- At 2009.10.07 22:28, Bjorn said:
  
  Melissa, I’ve posted the tips for wooing a Swede, I’d be interested in your thoughts! Thanks for your comment!
  
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At 2009.09.29 22:51, Cheris said:

Really great idea Bjorn! Sounds really cool. Jammie, be careful with that nice-suh! lol, we might as well be cross-cultural and use konglish while we’re in S. Korea! haha

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- At 2009.10.07 22:29, Bjorn said:
  
  Cheris, I just got back in touch with Renee Roth.. Did you know her in the Philippines?
  
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At 2009.09.30 02:00, Jamila said:

guffaw! you’re a trip bredren! I’m all too familiar with the 3rd up and coming blog. maybe you can give some remedies/pointers to the terminally offensive…like myself.

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- At 2009.10.07 22:30, Bjorn said:
  
  Jamila!! yeah, that post could be written entirely from my personal experiences:)
  
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At 2009.09.30 09:03, brooks said:

Seducing a Swede, now that’s something I can say, been there, done that….kinda. As for you being a mutt, reminds me somewhat of a dog…men du e sjalvkart!
I’m English, but with my vast experience in Sweden, more that you, I feel like svergie e min andra hem!
But form one sexy guy to another, keep up the revelry …

[Reply]
- At 2009.10.07 22:30, Bjorn said:
  
  Brooks, check out the post on seduction… tell me what you think, is that how it works?
  
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At 2009.09.30 09:09, Kirsten Salvador said:

i’m TOTALLY waiting with BATED breath! when’s the FIRST blog? i can hardly stand the anticipation! oh, GREAT – it’ll probably be when i’m riding next week and won’t be able to see it … unless my phone allows me access !

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- At 2009.10.07 22:31, Bjorn said:
  
  Kirsten, are you still riding? Thanks for checking in!
  
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At 2009.09.30 09:26, Heidi said:

Bjorn! I love it! I can’t wait to see more of it!!

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- At 2009.10.18 21:49, Bjorn said:
  
  Heidi, I am glad you dig it… see you around!
  
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At 2009.09.30 17:11, Kirk said:

I can’t think of anyone more uniquely qualified to produce this blog. Best wishes and good luck! #2 & #3 look to be particularly entertaining, if the preceding comments are any indicator.

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- At 2009.10.07 22:33, Bjorn said:
  
  Kirk, I was going to ask you what you thought was appropriate in terms of regularity of posting… three posts a week?
  
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  - At 2009.11.04 22:45, Kirk said:
    
    Just noticed your comment here, sorry! I think three posts a week is more than enough. And I’m sure that you’ll find yourself busy enough trying to meet that quota after a while, too
    
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    - At 2009.11.08 11:54, Bjorn said:
      
      Thanks for the feedback Kirk… I pay special attention to my Marketing-savvy people on this kind of stuff…
      
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At 2009.09.30 18:00, Bjorn said:

Cheris, I am glad you dig the blog! Can’t wait to see you in Korea in a few weeks! Been a while:)

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At 2009.09.30 18:08, Bjorn said:

I appreciate the vote of confidence Kirk!

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At 2009.09.30 19:33, Crystal said:

Love what you’re doing B Props!

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- At 2009.10.07 22:34, Bjorn said:
  
  Crystal!! I am glad you like the site… I am about to post about grandma…
  
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At 2009.09.30 19:42, Bjorn said:

Thanks Crystal! There will be some Baires posts for sure….

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At 2009.09.30 20:49, C-Money said:

The first 4 steps to seducing a swede involve swedish fish. The 5th involves taunting the danish.

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- At 2009.10.07 22:35, Bjorn said:
  
  C-Money, your Swedish fish stunt was much appreciated during my early FRH days… and yes, I seem to be surrounded by Danes nowadays…
  
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At 2009.10.01 05:48, Karin said:

Bjorn, this made me laugh. It’s so good- I wanted to read it all right from the beginning. Write a book please. I’ll buy it and then make all my friends buy it too. You can cut me a deal later.

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- At 2009.10.07 22:35, Bjorn said:
  
  Karin!! Let me know what you think about the Swedish post I wrote a couple days ago… miss you!!
  
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At 2009.10.01 07:01, Bjorn said:

I am really glad you liked it Foody!! I would love for you to guest post sometime soon!

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At 2009.10.01 07:02, Bjorn said:

Hahahaha! We are already getting into Scandinavian politics!

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At 2009.10.01 09:04, Jael said:

the 6th step involves all that swiss chocolate you guys are famous for

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- At 2009.10.08 08:02, Karin said:
  
  Oh no you didn’t!
  
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  - At 2009.10.09 12:22, jael said:
    
    hahahaha! this made me laugh out loud! at work!
    
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    - At 2009.10.19 21:03, Bjorn said:
      
      I am seriously going to make reference to the “Dominican” with no qualms whatsoever…
      
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At 2009.10.01 11:40, Bjorn said:

Revenge will be swift and public Amador:)

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At 2009.10.08 00:52, Aaron Beaumont said:

Love the concept here–cultural savvy something everyone could use a bit more of, wops included and bleeding-heart socialist swedes included.

But seriously, dude, really well done here–I’m impressed by the content, and also the somewhat less academic, though well informed and incisive approach.

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At 2009.10.09 23:36, Awon said:

great job Bjorn.

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- At 2009.10.18 21:49, Bjorn said:
  
  Thanks Awon! You need to guest post on here about the AIIAS days… maybe work in a little something about the great showdown after the campus olympics…
  
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At 2009.10.26 12:56, Amanda Newton said:

B, I’ve enjoyed reading the blog posts. Very entertaining! Plus, I now feel more culturally enlightened. =)

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- At 2009.11.08 11:46, Bjorn said:
  
  Amanda! Glad you like the blog. When are you guys coming up for a tour of the woods?
  
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