“Sweeten the deal.” To add something extra to make an offer more attractive. It reflects the American tendency to strategically use concessions to close a deal.
chess match
The West Wing (1999-2006) presents a more politically nuanced depiction of negotiation in a scene where President Bartlet and his Chief of Staff, Leo McGarry, negotiate with congressional leaders over a contentious budget deal. Bartlet employs a strategic, results-driven approach, leveraging political capital and making calculated compromises to secure bipartisan support. The negotiation is framed as a chess match, with each side maneuvering strategically to secure key concessions. The scene illustrates the American emphasis on strategic negotiation as a means to achieve political objectives.
Walk-Away Point
The American term Walk-Away Point conveys the concept of the moment one leaves the negotiation. It is culturally significant because decisiveness and clear boundaries are seen as signs of self-confidence.
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.
“Get the ball rolling.”
“Get the ball rolling.” Start something quickly to build momentum.
“That’s a dealbreaker”
“That’s a dealbreaker.” A condition that prevents any agreement from being reached. Americans often signal their bottom line or ‘red lines’ clearly and early in negotiations.
Zuckerberg
The Social Network (2010). Chronicling the creation of Facebook, this film shows Mark Zuckerberg’s shifting relationships and agreements with co-founders and early partners. The story is marked by frequent renegotiation, legal disputes, and Zuckerberg’s readiness to change or exit agreements as the business evolves, reflecting the American logic of flexibility and ongoing negotiation.
Wheeling and dealing
Expressions like ‘It’s not personal, it’s just business’ and ‘Everything is negotiable’ illustrate the American view that negotiation is a standard, unemotional aspect of doing business. The term ‘wheeling and dealing’ further reinforces the notion that successful individuals are those who can negotiate skillfully and assertively.
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)
The U.S. and Mexico negotiated the end of the Mexican-American War, with Mexico ceding large territories in exchange for financial compensation. American negotiators pushed for rapid closure, emphasizing immediate gains over long-term stability, a hallmark of American deal-making.
“fair and reasonable”
German law is characterized by its structure, precision, and comprehensive nature, emphasizing the protection of both parties in commercial transactions. The German Civil Code codifies principles of fairness, transparency, and contractual integrity. The principle of good faith under Section 242 of the BGB requires that prices be fair and reasonable, reflecting actual value rather than speculative market conditions. Consumer protection laws further reinforce the notion that prices should be objectively justified, not arbitrarily set based on market demand or negotiation skills.