Part 2 – The Twitter Interview

This is the Twitter part of my interview with Cindy King

I had posted the first part of the interview I gave Cindy King (@CindyKing) here yesterday (see post below). Those of you who are familiar with Twitter and the Twitter search feature will have no trouble finding our dialogue by looking for the hashtag #CKinterview.

But I do realize that not everybody is on Twitter (yet). That’s why I edited and copied the Tweeterview here. Please keep in mind that for every question and every answer there were only 120 characters of space.

Enjoy and don’t be shy to comment – either here or on Twitter (@HoeferleConsult).

CindyKing @HoeferleConsult is Christian Höferle – he is German & based in southeast USA + he tweets lots of cross-cultural expertise

CindyKing I really appreciate Christian ( @HoeferleConsult ) for the perspicacity of his cultural insights and their business focus

CindyKing You can read more about @HoeferleConsult Christian Höferle on the 1st part of this interview on my blog http://bit.ly/wj1be

CindyKing During this Twitter Interview I’ll ask Christian ( @HoeferleConsult ) my usual 10 cross-cultural questions

HoeferleConsult .@CindyKing thanks for your kind introduction, Cindy

CindyKing As Christian ( @HoeferleConsult ) is a journalist, I can’t wait to hear Christian’s answers

CindyKing Please join in if you have any questions or comments for Christian ( @HoeferleConsult ) & use this hashtag #CKinterview

CindyKing .@HoeferleConsult Hello Christian, a long introduction I wonder if you could share some tips & golden nuggets of advice…

CindyKing .@HoeferleConsult First… What is your definition of culture in 120 characters? So… “Culture is…”

HoeferleConsult .@CindyKing Lubricant of daily life. A set of shared values & attitudes in a social group. An inherent code of communication

CindyKing .@HoeferleConsult 3 definitions of culture all in one

CindyKing .@HoeferleConsult OK… now… let’s make it harder – “Culture is…” Culture in one word only

HoeferleConsult .@CindyKing … communication

CindyKing .@HoeferleConsult Exact! Here is another Twitter definition for your – finish the sentence “International business is…”

HoeferleConsult .@CindyKing important 4 growth & needs 2B done in a manner that’s inclusive of all cultures represented by Ur business partners

CindyKing .@HoeferleConsult What is the one tip you would give people to improve their cross-cultural skills?

HoeferleConsult .@CindyKing 1st, understand Ur OWN culture -> try 2B understanding of others’ backgrounds. Now meet half way 4 common ground.

CindyKing .@HoeferleConsult I really like this: understand your own culture first

CindyKing .@HoeferleConsult What one bit of advice would you give people interested in international business?

HoeferleConsult .@CindyKing Don’t rush into it. Do Ur homework (aka research). Hire some1 who knows what U don’t.

CindyKing .@HoeferleConsult I know you give this international business advice from experience

CindyKing .@HoeferleConsult Speaking of your experience… what tip would you give to people moving abroad?

HoeferleConsult .@CindyKing Know what Ur doing. Compare prices of movers. Haggle. Decide: Rent or Buy? Visit Ur destination prior 2 moving

CindyKing .@HoeferleConsult Moving to a foreign country does sound like an adventure… especially if you are moving a family

HoeferleConsult .@CindyKing when we decided 2 move as a family some of our friends thought we were crazy … but it works, if U want it 2

CindyKing .@HoeferleConsult What is your favorite website for international or cross-cultural inspiration? This can be anything at all.

HoeferleConsult .@CindyKing Don’t have just 1 fav. website. Try the Goethe Institut at http://www.goethe.de/enindex.htm

CindyKing .@HoeferleConsult Funny I would never have imagined looking up the Goethe Institute website – but it looks interesting

CindyKing .@HoeferleConsult Next question… Can you suggest one other cross-cultural person to follow on Twitter?

HoeferleConsult .@CindyKing Again, don’t relly like picking favs. eg @TransDomo @intercultureNet @AAAtranslation @ExpatCoachMegan R good tweeps

CindyKing .@HoeferleConsult This might be pushing it… but can you suggest one other international person to follow on Twitter?

HoeferleConsult .@CindyKing Try @AmiExpat (4 her blog http://www.amiexpat.com)

CindyKing .@HoeferleConsult Cool… thanks for the suggestion – did not know @AmiExpat

CindyKing .@HoeferleConsult Last one: Are there any categories of international or cross-cultural people you’d like to meet on Twitter?

HoeferleConsult .@CindyKing I’m most interested in ppl who either share my experiences, want to learn from them or look 4 professional advice

CindyKing @HoeferleConsult This is what I get from your blog too http://southeastschnitzel.wordpress.com/

CindyKing .@HoeferleConsult Well that went so fast! Thanks so much for your time Christian and…

HoeferleConsult .@CindyKing no, thank you 4 picking me 4 your interview series. It was fun. I hope people liked it & thought it was informative

Taking Southeast Schnitzel to an international level

Blog/Twitter interview puts Southeast Schnitzel on an international stage

I guess there is a first time for everything in life.
Some of you who read this blog probably know that I am very active on Twitter (@HoeferleConsult). One of my followers is Cindy King, who was born and raised in the Bahamas and who now lives in Paris. Cindy is one of only a few cross-culture experts on Twitter with a significant following. So of course I agreed when she asked me last week if I was available for an interview.
The unusual part was, she wanted to do it via Twitter. Having conducted hundreds of interviews myself throughout my career, I was baffled. I just hadn’t thought of Twitter as an interview medium. Well, I was wrong. It actually worked like a charm.

Cindy started out the interview with some questions on her blog. You can read my answers there or scroll down to see what I copied here.
After completing Part 1 we moved the conversation over to Twitter. If you want to follow up on our exchange search for the hashtag #CKinterview. Try this link, too.
Feel free to send your thoughts and comments, either by leaving a blurb here or DMing me on Twitter. Thanks.

Cross-Cultural Twitter Interview With Christian Hoeferle

9 SEPTEMBER, 2009

Today’s Cross-Cultural Interview is with Christian Hoeferle. You can also find Christian on Twitter: @hoeferleconsult. Just like the cross-cultural interviews last week, the interview is in 2 parts:

Part 1 – On this blog we get to know Christian
Part 2 – Christian answers 10 cross-cultural questions on Twitter later today with the hashtag #CKinterview.

Christian Hoeferle is a German who has immigrated to the southeastern region of the US with his family. In addition to being a journalist, Christian runs Höferle Consulting to provide cross-cultural communication and intercultural solutions for businesses.

Christian’s blog, Southeast Schnitzel, gives valuable cross-cultural insights for anyone interested in honing their skills. He also tweets lots of interesting links on cross-cultural or international business topics. He is a great cross-cultural person to network with on social media.

Christian Hoeferle – Part 1

This is part 1 of a 2-part interview with Christian – Join us on Twitter later today at 14:00 GMT for the second part of this interview. You can follow us on Twitter with the hashtag #CKinterview.

Cindy King: Hi Christian, as you know, I started following you several months ago on Twitter. I have to say that I really enjoy reading your Tweets for their cross-cultural insights and business focus. For those who don’t know you, can you please tell us something about yourself?

Christian Hoeferle: I am a 38-year-old journalist and consultant from Germany. I was born in a small town in the southeastern German state of Bavaria, graduated form High School (Gymnasium) there and went on to the University of Passau. I spent one year as an exchange student in Minnesota where I must have caught the US virus – my family and I relocated from Munich to the Chattanooga metro area in Southeast Tennessee in 2004. My wife owns & operates a Montessori School here. I work as a consultant for cross-cultural communications and intercultural solutions with my company Höferle Consulting. My wife and I have two daughters, Amélie (7) and Ana (4).

Cindy King: Before you moved to live in the US did you live anywhere else abroad?

Christian Hoeferle: At age 17 (in 1988) I spent ten months as a foreign exchange student in Minnesota (near Fargo, ND). Apart form that experience I didn’t live in other countries – but growing up in central Europe I did a lot of traveling.

Cindy King: Do you speak any other languages besides German and English?

Christian Hoeferle: Unfortunately I don’t. I took five years of Latin in High School, which was a blessing. At least I can get by in countries where Spanish or Italian are spoken. I can read and understand these two languages quite okay – speaking them? Well, I can order food in a restaurant without getting surprise meals ….

Cindy King: Is there a story behind your interest in international business?

Christian Hoeferle: Having started three different businesses as an immigrant to the United States, much of my experience is related to that. However, being part of a bicultural and bilingual family with strong German roots in the Southeast of the USA adds a lot of personal experience, too.

Cindy King: How did you pick up your cross-cultural skills?

Christian Hoeferle: By being alive, working, listening, experiencing, learning, understanding, compromising, persuading, convincing and communicating every single day.

Cindy King: Is there anything else about your international background that you’d like to share?

Christian Hoeferle: I think in my family I am the only one who isn’t afraid to pack his stuff and move. Most of my relatives have deep roots. Mine are shallow. I know I can go anywhere in world and be happy.

Cindy King: Let’s talk about your blog… how did you come to blog?

Christian Hoeferle: I’ve been a writer for most of my professional career. So blogging comes naturally. It’s a means to communicate myself to world. And with Southeast Schnitzel blogging has also become a marketing tool. I’ve been meeting both, local people and from across the U.S. and the world, through the blog.

The name is supposed to signal to American readers: Hey, I’m one of you guys – I’m from the Southeast, I speak your language, I understand your culture. And also: I’m different. I come from Germany where they like to eat strange dishes like Schnitzel. Plus: I like to eat.
The name for my blog isn’t meant to be taken 100% seriously. After all, it’s a blog, not a corporate website.

Cindy King: Can you share one of your favorite blog posts with us?

Christian Hoeferle: That would be like picking your favorite child. Read and decide for yourself.

Cindy King: Have you noticed any current trends in the conversations you have through your blog?

Christian Hoeferle: The most current trend is that people look to me for help when it comes to get hired with some of the German companies who are coming to our area. Volkswagen and Wacker Chemie have committed $1 billion each to the greater Chattanooga area. The German impact to our region will be unprecedented. That’s where my company, Höferle Consulting, comes into the picture to help navigate the cultural differences.

Cindy King: What other online activities to do you do besides blogging?

Christian Hoeferle: Facebook, Twitter, research

Cindy King: Can you give us some insights into your cross-cultural affinities?

Christian Hoeferle: Currently I am honing my skills as a public speaker and workshop organizer. In regards to languages: my Spanish and Italian could be much better …

Cindy King: Which foreign destination would you like to go on vacation?

Christian Hoeferle: Italy. Always loved it, always will.

Cindy King: Have you come across any cultural stereotypes that bother you, or you find inappropriate?

Christian Hoeferle: “Contrary to popular belief, Germans don’t know everything. They know everything better.” – very true, unfortunately. Especially when German companies go abroad to set up shop. The arrogance and the reluctance to be guided and advised drives me nuts.

My general rule – and maybe I’m just a little bit sensitive on that topic: No jokes or “funny” references to Hitler and Nazi Germany, please. It ain’t as funny as you may think. We hate ourselves enough for our ancestors’ terrible crimes. No need to rub it in, okay? Having an educated discussion about Germany’s dark past? Anytime!

And even though I am Bavarian myself, I find it a little bit disturbing that when Americans think of Germany most of them do so with Bavaria in their minds. Apparently Lederhosen, BMW, Oktoberfest and King Ludwig fairy tale castles define the image of Germany more than anything else.

However, no stereotype exists without good reason. I like stereotypes and idiosyncrasies. They provide me with work.

Cindy King: Do you have a favorite movie that could help people understand cultural issues?

Christian Hoeferle: That’s a tough one. For Americans to get a glimpse into German minds, maybe “Schultze gets the Blues”, “The Lives of Others” and Chevy Chase’s “European Vacation” (just kidding on the last one). If you understand German, I highly recommend the 80s TV shows “Monaco Franze” and “Kir Royal” to help understand the Bavarian/German culture.

Cindy King: Thank you Christian! It is great to know more about you. This reminds me that I need to visit Italy again. I love your comment about stereotypes and idiosyncrasies bringing you work! And thank your for sharing names of these films. I’m looking forward to the second half of the interview on Twitter later today.

Comeback for the “American Way of Life” in Germany

The “American Way of Life” is experiencing a comeback in Germany

Planning an exchange year, traveling or even moving to the United States is becoming increasingly popular with Germans again. During the years of the Bush administration more and more Germans (and other Europeans) fell out of love with the land of the free, but recently a change of mind is becoming apparent. The U.S. are regaining their attractiveness for immigrants and students from Germany, writes newspaper Westfälische Nachrichten, citing evidence from sources like scholarship agency College Connect, the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD, the Pew Research Center and travel office Dertour.

According to these agencies, demand for study and travel in the U.S has risen significantly during 2009. Some of this can be attributed to a low Dollar-Euro exchange rate that favors Germans. Another reason seems to be the change of power in the White House.

Germans are also reconsidering the United States as a country to emigrate to. Participation in the so-called “Green Card Lottery” is up by 20 percent so far this year. Whereas one year ago, only 31 percent of Germans asked by Pew Research said they view the USA positively, the number rose to 64 percent in the most recent survey – a clear turn-around.

America is en vogue again. The American Dream is alive.

Why Europeans are code switchers

Code Switching – a cultural survival technique for many Europeans

When Germans communicate with each other they do it in their native language and within the codes of their culture. This may sound like stating the obvious, but it is important to note that these codes generally differ quite strongly from the way Americans communicate. For instance, whereas Americans like to move into an informal mode of address quickly, Germans are happy to keep a formal, polite distance for a much longer time into a relationship.

For many Germans there is a clear boundary between time spent at work and time spent with family or in private. This usually means that Germans – especially the members of older generations – don’t mix their business and their social lives. This separation of public and private is reflected in the use of the personal pronoun “you”: Germans never address each other by their first names, unless they are friends or family. In formal conversations Germans use “Sie” instead of “du”, combined with the last name. Using somebody’s first name and “du” with people you don’t know well is seen as rude and presumtuous.

However, in companies where English is used as the primary language, this doesn’t apply. Plus, Germans are experts in code switching. Almost effortlessly, they will switch between formal and informal styles of communication when foreigners are present.

What also helps them is their familiarity with cultures other than their own. Being nestled in the center of Europe with nine neighbors has taught Germans that their communication style isn’t always shared by others. And for quite a few, knowing some of the neighbors’ languages is an added bonus. Take Austrian (= not German, but close enough for the sake of the argument) actor Christoph Waltz, for instance.

From an AP article:

Waltz won the best-actor prize at the Cannes Film Festival and is an early prospect for a supporting-actor nomination at the Academy Awards for the World War II saga “Inglourious Basterds,” in which the performer hurtles through Quentin Tarantino’s rapid-fire dialogue in German, French, English and Italian.

The film takes some jabs at Americans’ relative lack of language skills, but Waltz said his own multilingual talents are simply part of life in Europe.

“I’ve been in places in Europe where you need a different language if you go out for dinner. I worked in southern Germany, and we went into France for dinner. You just go across the river, different language, different culture, different food, different everything. So it’s nothing extraordinary,” Waltz said, adding that Americans would possess similar language skills if necessity demanded. “If you needed Cherokee to order dinner, you’d speak Cherokee.”