US Business Culture: Beware the Hamburger

When the Americans have bad news, they don’t want to be the bad guy, they don’t want to be a jerk, so they “do a hamburger”.

That means they tuck the meat of the criticism inside a lot of soft words.

“Thanks for your proposal – I love your initiative. It’s not going to work for us. But always come to me with your ideas.”

Non-Americans aren’t really sure what’s being said. Are you saying, good initiative, or that my idea is bad, or that I should try again with something new?

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Kay Xander Mellish is the author of "Working with Americans: Tips for Danes" and "Working with Danes: Tips for Americans," available on books.howtoliveindenmark.com or on Amazon, Google Books, Apple Books, Saxo Books, and Barnes and Noble Nook.

You can also check out the audiobooks on Amazon Audible, Mofibo/Storytell, Nextory, and BookBeat. Book Kay for an in-person or virtual event at events.howtoliveindenmark.com.

Book Kay for an in-person or virtual event at events.howtoliveindenmark.com.

Learn more at Amerikansk.dk.