On the way back from Labor Day Holiday, my Woman’s Division Chapter Chief called on my cell phone. She wanted to know how many copies of the 2006 Study Review pamphlet I needed for my members.
I said “hmmm… 10”
She paused and stammered, struggling with the English translation of what she wanted to say, and I knew in that moment that any reply from me would have received this same forthcoming response…
“There is not many available, only 30 per Area, and they’re very expensive, $3.25 each, are you sure that you need that many?” This is a more accurate translation of what she really said.
“Ok”, I began, “How many do YOU think I should get?”
She responded “Could you please count the exact number of members and let me know in two days?”
Somehow I sensed that this was the preferred process she that everyone was suppose to go through, and she just couldn’t tell me that up front "Donald, Please count the number of booklets you need and let me know in two days” - wayyyy too simple, we needed to get there the long way around the block.
“Ok” I concluded. Seconds later I was calling the Men’s Division Region Leader. I replayed the story and asked him why we couldn’t have printed more. He replied simply, “more are on the way, and anyway it’s on the SGI-USA website to print for free for anyone who wants them”. We both laughed, “and besides, they’re only $3.25 each”.
I called my WD leader back, “Never mind, I don’t need any. I can print them off the website with my own paper for my members”.
Oh - confusion - terrible confusion….
“Please count the number of booklets you need and let me know in two days” was the only answer she could muster.
“No”
“You can’t count the number of booklets you need?” She verified.
“No”.
I didn't mean to be so short, but I’ve learned that a more lengthy and detailed answer would simply be too confusing. I confirmed again that I would print my own from the website for the members I was promoting for the exam.
End of call.
Price of study review booklet - $3.25
Price of cell phone call - a couple of bucks.
Opportunity to change my karma through difficult inter-cultural communication - priceless.
Donald out.