Great International Courier Faux Pas - By: Norman Dulwich

As a courier, if you are lucky enough to get the opportunity to collect and deliver to overseas destinations, there are a few phrases and ‘cultural positions’ that are typically well worth avoiding. Here are a few examples to illustrate what this means.

“We don't do things this way in Britain”

Perhaps not, but if you don't happen to be in Britain at the time you utter these immortal words, then it is pretty likely to be academic and achieve nothing other than to upset the person you are dealing with.

“Don't you speak English?”

This gem is likely to cause at best incredulity and at worst, offence. This will go down particularly well in France where it may result in shutters being pulled down and you and your vehicle being relegated to the back of the queue (even if one doesn't exist).

“Right then, I'll get this mess sorted out”

Hard as it may be to understand, people in foreign countries don't like to think that they are operating “in a mess” and in desperate need of a British courier to show them how to do things correctly. Even if they are, using a slightly more diplomatic language might be advisable!

“Look, watch me”

When overseas, some courier drivers seem to find it impossible to suppress the urge to switch into charades mode the instant there is the most minor of language glitches. It is interesting how many of these mimes are culture specific and how often they simply do not cross national boundaries. So, if you are strutting around in circles with your arms extended and making clucking noises, the locals may not immediately grasp that you are trying to convey to them that they need to find a forklift truck. You may find that they simply point you in the direction of the nearest poultry farm.

“Can you do it urgently - I need to get away quickly”

Whilst this request would be considered routine and even polite in English, and in a British business environment, in many European countries it will not go down well. It is likely to be interpreted as you being pushy or trying to throw your weight around. You are likely to achieve exactly the opposite of what you set out to achieve, so being a little more circumspect might be advisable!

“Surely what I did can't be illegal on the roads here!”

This is a great one, usually expressed with a note of righteous outrage and indignation, when speaking to the police or a traffic warden. You can probably bet your last penny that the official you are dealing with most certainly does consider that you have transgressed some way or another - or they wouldn't be wasting their time and yours. Interested as they may be in a foreign courier explaining to them the philosophical and logical shortcomings of their entire legal and judicial system, in reality all that is likely to happen is that they will be even more inclined to write that ticket than they were before you decided to try and educate them.

“I'm not coming back here again!”

Usually expressed after a courier has been royally ‘messed about’ when collecting or delivering, it is often a sign of frustration. Of course, when using this there are a few sad realities to keep in mind:

• The person you have wielded this statement against, like a sword of righteous retribution, probably doesn't give a brass farthing whether they ever see you again or not!

• Unless during your day job you are secretly a billionaire with vast investments in the country concerned, it's extremely unlikely that they are ever going to notice - even if you are permanently disillusioned with them and never go back there.

• They know that, impressive as your speech was, you'll be back there next week if your boss back home says so!

So, what does this all mean? Probably the only thing that you can deduce from this is that the courier delivering overseas needs to have a great sense of humour and some impeccable diplomatic skills!

About the Author

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for the same day courier and express freight exchange industry. Over 2,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Norman-Dulwich/96057

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