Asia learn to say; “no…”.

Asia is notorious for its bad manners seen from a Western point of view. Burping in public seems to be normal. Picking the noise deeply in front of other people or even in a restaurant seems to be daily practice in Asia. Scratching the backside while in public places is no exception. And spitting while people sit or walk is a regular seen habit.

Some countries are getting better and better, but some habits are imbedded in ancient old cultures and no one seems to care or worry about them anymore. But when arriving from the west, some of these old habits are part of the culture shock. Asians are adapting to western lifestyles and most countries are slowly changing and understanding that not everything they see as normal, is very polite to others.

There is another type of rudeness. A rudeness which is unprofessional, does not help trade, friendships or the community. And it’s the habit of not being able to say: “no”.

Asian public lives from excuse to excuse. They make up one excuse to cover the previous one. So called white lies are daily practice. No matter in which country you are around the Asian continent it’s everywhere the same protocol.

Coming on Time for Appointments

Coming on time at a preset appointment is professional. Coming late is normally accepted in Asia, however it hampers business growth, and from the person being on time point of view is rude. When one comes late for an appointment, no matter what the excuse might be, you are using someone else his/her time. Time, which is as valuable as your own time. Better to leave a message or call to let the other person know that you are not able to meet at the set time. Even more important to let the other party know, when you will arrive. That is more important than the excuse you have made up. The excuse only serves a peace of mind deal for person making it, and does not serve the other party. You were late, that’s the bottom line and respect is lost because of that. Learn to say; “no, I am sorry I can not be on time today”. Honesty is often the best advise, and will be more respected then excuses like, hospitals, accidents, weddings, sickness and the weather.

No message for cancellation

As a business man, one books his appointments well in time to make the business grow and try to book as many appointments in the day, taking in consideration, travel times, lunch and coffee breaks. But booking the appointment list too full, puts you under stress from the moment you look at your schedule. Better is to have lesser appointments on the day, and have the freedom to travel, have lunch leisurely. Able to get to your appointments on time, and you might even have time to prepare your meeting better, and visualize the appointment and the objectives. Being relaxed sells more products. If you really can not make it, no problem, but cancel well in advance so you are not wasting the other parties time and you can be professional about a reschedule of your planned appointment. Learn to say; “no, I am sorry I can not make our appointment today, let’s reschedule for next week”.

Saying yes, but meaning no

Often we walk out of a meeting and both parties agree to contact in a few days.

How rude is it to not answer that expected call? Often calls are not answered when the other party already decided not to go ahead with the agreement. More professional would be that you either answer the call and just say “no, I am sorry we are not interested”. Not picking up a phone call is very unprofessional and rude. Learn to say; “no, we do not take you up on your offer”.

Communication is the key to every business deal. It makes live easier, more pleasant and reduces stress. An open communication will leave the door open for future contacts. You never know when your contact might become important in the very near future.

Asia, learn to say: “no”, and make your business grow.

Clean Up Asia… Recycle or not to recycle?

It’s not unusual to walk along the street in Asia, a car drives past and opens the window and the next plastic bag comes flying past. Or a policeman under a “do not smoke” sign, opens his pack of cigarettes and throws away the plastic wrapping and the remainder of his previous pack of sticks. Kids playing in the field and all of them drinking soft drinks but the empty cans are left behind in the field. The amount of rubbish and trash found even around housing estates is incredible and enormous.

Especially with adults I have the feeling to walk up to them and ask them “do you have kids?” “Yes; fantastic, and in which world do you want them to grow up?” The world you are creating with your plastic bags, your rubbish and your cigarette buds, or a clean and healthy environment. Of course the answer is clear, but people do not seem to care less.

Asia Wake Up and Do Something About It.

It’s not only in and around the cities and housing areas that we see these practices, but when you are on the bus or driving the highways by car, and realize the amount of rubbish left behind by construction companies, its enormous.

What Can We Do About It?

Keeping the environment clean is so simple, and it all starts with you.

Put a small plastic bag in your car, collect your own rubbish and throw it away when you make your next stop at a gas station. Separating your house garbage, in organic, glass, wood, plastics and metals is so simple.

Recycling does not start at the recycle plan, it starts at every home.

One person’s rubbish is another person’s fortune. Every city should have a collection point or call-in center where you can report what you have seen and or found, so that at least it’s reported and action can be taken.

We all should be aware of a healthier and cleaner environment.

We can educate kids in schools by a clean education program.

Worldwide Eco Initiatives

World wide many initiatives are taken towards a healthier and cleaner environment. But Asia stays behind, way behind. And we all can wait until the government starts to take action, or we as individuals can take action.

In Belgium for more than thirty years kids go out once a year and clean up a certain area of the city, until it’s squeaky clean, The next day they all plant a tree, to preserve and give back to the environment. Over a schooling career of ten years plant ten trees each.

In Holland divers get together once a year and dive for rubbish, to clean, ponds, rivers and lakes. Tons and tons of avoidable trash is collected and send to rubbish plants around the country.

Take Action Today

Walk around your neighbor hood, and visually check for rubbish, you will be astounded, about the amounts. It does not take one or two individuals, it takes teams of adults and kids who get together and start taking action.

Nature always wins. Let’s not pollute our own environment. Do something, and start today.

Pick up that broom and start sweeping your own backyard.

You want to lead by example.