When I was doing graduate work at the University of Dallas in international trade, we had to also study cultural distinctions and how such distinctions impact business. For example, never prop your feet up in the presence of Arabs, as showing the sole of your feet is considered dis-respectable. Another example is the importance of “face” in China. In fact, it is so important that it’s importance has its own word – “Mian zi.” The rules of respecting “face” are equally as complicated. The difficulty of negotiating with the Chinese is legendary.

But, what happens when “Mian zi” comes face-to-face with a gigantic American ego?