Yes
Germany
A yes in the German context is more exception than the rule. Germans are reluctant to enter into an agreement without being sure that they can deliver on it. When you get the German yes, however, it is firm. Patterns
United States
A yes in the American context is more the rule than exception. Americans almost instinctively say yes to assisting a colleague or to serving a customer. The American yes, however, has different degrees of firmness. Patterns
No
Germany
The German no is more the rule than the exception. However, its level of hardness is based on context. The no can range from hard to flexible. Identifying the barriers to the yes reveals that range. Patterns
United States
A no in the American context is more the exception than the rule. Americans pride themselves on being can-do, open, helpful, people. Americans feel uncomfortable saying the word no. They couch their no in affirmative, encouraging words. Patterns
Context
Germany
The German yes means a high degree of commitment. Before granting it Germans want to be sure that they can deliver. In order to decide they request a lot of context information up-front. Patterns
United States
Once Americans have entered into an agreement they are in constant contact. They see no reason to go into great depth about the context of that agreement. Because they reserve the right to alter or to exit the agreement. Patterns
Follow-up
Germany
In Germany follow-up is infrequent. Once an agreement has been made neither party feels the need to contact the other in order to check the status or priority of that agreement. Agreed is agreed. Patterns
United States
In the U.S. follow-up is frequent. Americans enter into many agreements and on a constant basis. Follow-up is how they maintain a common understanding of the status of those agreements. Patterns
Deliverables
Germany
The Germans prefer a complete deliverable, even if late, over an incomplete deliverable, on time or even early. Lateness is tolerated as long as expectations are met. Completeness is preferred to speed. Patterns
United States
Americans expect the initial parts of a deliverable as quickly as possible. A partial deliverable early often meets the needs better than the complete product on time. Speed is preferred to completeness. Patterns
