Simply asking "𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶" can make your employees very nervous

Recently, I spoke with a Dutch general manager overseeing a plant in the US. When he first arrived in the US, he quickly noticed the common American habit of asking, “How are you?” in everyday interactions. Most people don’t expect a deep answer. The question is simply a way to show interest in the other person without delving into the details of their mood.

He quickly adopted this American habit, greeting employees on the work floor with similar questions such as, “How are you?” and “How are things going?”

Oddly enough, he wasn’t getting the response he was expecting. In stores, people responded with a simple, “I’m fine, how are you?”. But on the work floor, employees seemed uncomfortable, offering detailed explanations about their tasks, timelines, and project status. The general manager was puzzled. He wasn’t sure why such an innocent and friendly question would lead to such an uneasy and tense situation!
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We took a closer look at the role of hierarchy in American work culture. In the Netherlands, workplace hierarchy is minimal, and casual conversations between managers and employees are normal. But in the US, work environments tend to be much more hierarchical. When a senior manager asks an employee “how are you”, it can feel like a performance check: Is everything on track? Is the work meeting expectations? It can even cause discomfort for direct supervisors, as communication generally follows the chain of command. When a senior manager approaches an employee, it can imply a lack of trust in that employee’s direct supervisor or signal that the employee is in trouble.

Nowadays, this general manager is mindful of how he interacts and how his position can can give his words a different meaning. He keeps his greetings to a brief “hi” and “good morning”, and reserving “How are you?” for non-work settings.

Dutch American Cultural Differences

The importance of hierarchy is just one of the many differences in how Americans think and do business. Understanding these differences is crucial for a successful expansion into the US. For over 10 years, I have helped Fortune 500 companies, scale-ups and individuals understand the intricacies and advantages of communicating across cultures, turning cultural differences into competitive advantages. Let me help you prepare for your interactions with American partners and clients, and improve Dutch-American collaboration. Simply reply to this email or schedule a free 30-minute assessment here.

Are you thinking of expanding your business to the US? Are you currently working with Americans, but not getting the results you expected? Download my free guide “Top 10 Insights for Working with Americans” to better understand the American way of doing business and how you, a Dutch entrepreneur, can use these cultural differences to your advantage!