Humor and culture in international business | Chris Smit | TEDxLeuven

“To Germans, humor is serious business”. In this compelling TEDxLeuven talk, Chris sheds his perspective on the differences amongst cultures and its impact on the way we do business.

Chris Smit was born in Amsterdam on March 3, 1963. Midway while attending high school, his family and he moved to the USA for one year, where he attended 8th grade high school in Boiceville, New York.

After returning to the Netherlands he finished school and went to the Free University in Amsterdam to study Industrial and Organisational Psychology.

He is an experienced consultant and coach in intercultural business, and has implemented and consulted projects and run many intercultural and communication seminars throughout the world.

[NicolasSauveur]

Better Understand the vast implications of cultural differences is one of the things humanity still needs to do. International relations (politics) will get better from it. Overall, less misunderstandings, less fears of others, and the world will be be a better place. Thanks to people like you, we'll get there !

[winniema]

Finally some action from the audience. 12:55

[ldmartinez]

I just revisited this charmingly humorous talk and I think I got back my own sense of humor 😊

[PellegrinoRiccardi]

Really enjoyed that Chris. Liked the project management lines especially.

[dibyapal]

Great Presentation. I have been working with people from different cultures and its amazing to see those nuances. I am looking for something similar on product management 😊

[vargheze]

well Its a very good talk show for business starters in Germany especially and I am glad you exposed various countries of there strategies. Thank you Chris Smith.

[MrYessam]

Project management is hilarious but true. Thank you, Chris Smit.

[Supermariocrosser]

Our intentionally planned Humor doesn't really work in most cultures. Our humor means irony. Irony demolishes social hierachy and is therefore seen as scary by most cultures who are absolute on respecting order.

It's a very Anglo American Dutch Danish thing to do to use such humor in daily life to turn the table as a nation of traders to get his way while doing a business.

Instead we usually perceive others as having humor which never was intended to in their minds

For example, Japanese crazy surreal entertainment and trying to escape from reality is often seen as the ironic thing in our philosophy and therefore perceived by us as Japanese WTF Humor. Which never was intended to in their mind to be seen as humor. It looks rebellious what the Japanese did so American or British people thought this fits in their own perspectives as absurd or countering.

[liebesbriefevongott]

Wow what a great view on culture, thank you 👍

[saliha_g]

7:35 That George Orwell reference tho👌🏻😂✨

[ldmartinez]

You live in a windmill and wear wooden shoes. . . I believe we need to get all the stereotypes out on the table. I once told my international students I was of Italian descent and a mature Chinese student said, "Oh, so you belong to the Mafia!" I immediately began to roar with laughter and judging by the embarrassed look on his face, I think he was serious! This became a teachable moment about stereotypes: "All [blank: plural noun] are [blank: adjective]". I surprised myself with my ability to find humor in this situation. Humor can alleviate tension in intercultural exchanges.

[nhantigerlego]

I love creative culture, I am from Vietnam.

[constanzaespinoza]

I'm using this for my English training Market Leader course. Wish me luck.

[yesseniaescobarable]

I got hooked once you stated 'If you're not Dutch you're not much'! This was amazing to hear while at work! :)

[RrRr-wjxv]

he realy speaks good english. no annoying dutch accent

[KenWorkProduction]

I don't know which course is right for me, International Business? Management and Marketing? I am just indecisive now.

[bignormy]

As a British guy, I find that I'm reacting quite strongly (in a negative way) to some of this content - perhaps that was the intention.

[ΣπαρτιάτηςΣπαρτιάτης-ωξ]

I know one...

God created Greeks...
Greeks created the World.

[richardhill]

Chris, I recognise many of your observations and comments as my own. Don't you think I deserve an acknowledgement along with my old friend Geert Hofstede?

[risaakarki]

I find being humorous more difficult then understanding cultural difference.