Work comes first

Americans and businessmen and women in particular are very task-oriented. They get a goal in mind and work until achieving it. An American is likely to avoid chit-chat as idle chatter and in a business meeting want to talk about business and little else. “Let’s get our focus on the bottom line” is an Americanism that reflects this tendency. Therefore be careful to not distract the conversation from the business at hand. Direct your comments towards identifying, and especially, solving problems. The people will feel more confidence in you when they feel that you are putting your heart behind the project at hand, whatever it may be. A big part of Americans’ lives revolve closely around their work, and although they may politely complain about it, the truth is that they like it like that. Americans do love to have fun, but it has its place, and that place should not interfere with work or a man (or woman) earning his (or her) livelihood.