Expressions such as Was kostet die Welt? (What does the world cost?) convey a dismissive attitude toward price discussions, implying that serious and respectable people should not concern themselves with trivial cost negotiations. Additionally, the term Feilschen (to haggle) often carries a negative connotation, suggesting pettiness, desperation, or a lack of class.
Social Order
German cultural norms prioritize order, transparency, and fairness in business transactions, leaving little room for price bargaining. Historical influences, literary depictions, cinematic portrayals, and everyday expressions all reinforce the notion that negotiating prices is undignified, unnecessary, and even untrustworthy. The emphasis on fixed pricing reflects a deeper cultural preference for predictability and social order, making price negotiation an unwelcome practice in many German settings.
Trade-Off
The American term Trade-Off conveys the concept of a reciprocal concession. It is culturally significant because negotiation is seen as give-and-take, where compromise is part of the process.
Willy Loman
In Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, the character Willy Loman exemplifies the American salesman archetype who negotiates constantly, whether it is selling products or negotiating his own worth.
Gordon Gekko
In the classic film Wall Street (1987), Gordon Gekko’s character embodies the American negotiating ethos with the infamous phrase ‘Greed is good.’ His approach to business is unapologetically transactional, with aggressive negotiation tactics depicted as a sign of strength and success. Similarly, in ‘The Godfather’ (1972), Don Vito Corleone’s strategic deal-making showcases the cultural expectation of negotiating for the best possible outcome, regardless of the moral implications.
Don Corleone
In The Godfather (1972), Don Vito Corleone’s strategic deal-making showcases the cultural expectation of negotiating for the best possible outcome, regardless of the moral implications.
Shark Tank
In the popular series Shark Tank, entrepreneurs pitch their businesses to investors who openly negotiate equity percentages, valuations, and funding amounts. The entire premise of the show is rooted in the American cultural belief that negotiating is not only acceptable but expected in business settings.
“Call the shots”
“Call the shots.” To be in charge and make the decisions. This expression highlights the emphasis on authority and decision-making power in American negotiation dynamics.
Harvey Specter
In Suits, Harvey Specter is portrayed as a ruthless negotiator, leveraging every possible advantage to secure the best deal for his clients.
Jake lends money to Robert
In The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway (1926), Jake Barnes lends money to Robert Cohn, a wealthy but insecure man who uses charm and persuasion to get what he wants. Jake negotiates the terms of repayment, maintaining a transactional, businesslike tone despite their friendship.
Jake’s refusal to let the transaction become personal and his insistence on clear repayment terms reflect a pragmatic, results-oriented approach. The emphasis on keeping business and personal matters separate, along with the insistence on specific, enforceable terms, reflects the American approach to negotiation as a clear-cut, business-first interaction.