Jay Dowell, 35, is an American working in Conoco Phillips, a global oil company

based in the US. Jay and Matt, his colleague from a different city, were just
chosen to go to Indonesia to help Conoco Phillips Indonesia in a one year project.
The project required Jay and Matt to spend three weeks in Indonesia and three
weeks holiday back in the US. It was a prestigious and very high incentive
project. In regard to the project, Jay and Matt will have a short visit to Jakarta for
few days in the week after.
One day before departure, Jay and Matt had a meeting to prepare their
departure. During the break, Jay and Matt had a small talk about Indonesia.
Matt, what do you think about working there? asked Jay.
I dont think its such a big deal. I have been there once for holiday, to Bali and
Jakarta. The local people adore westerns so much. Matt answered and followed
with a small laugh. Do not be surprise if peoples eyes will follow us almost
everywhere. So I dont think working with them will be so much trouble.
Hm.. Jay just nodded slightly. Matt then added some other stories about his
experience in Indonesia.
***
In the evening after he had done his packing, Jay did a small browse on
Indonesian culture and found Hofstedes 5 dimension of cross culture website. He
found it quite interesting and spent few minutes doing the country comparison
and reading the article. He found that Indonesia had high degree of power
distance; younger to the elder, poor to the richer, subordinate to the boss. In
America while everyone has equality, he imagined Indonesia should be a strong
dictator country.
However, Jay then came across to Individualism-Collectivism part, and was a bit
surprise as he was told that Indonesia has a high collectivism country with low
degree of uncertainty avoidance. Creating unity and team environment is
important. Being polite is also very crucial for whatever reason; avoiding conflict,
hiding anger/dislike/other negative feeling are often more appropriate instead of
showing them which then concluded as being rude. Interesting.. Jay spoke to
himself, smiling. He continued reading it and also browsed a bit about general
issues being discussed in Indonesian News, until his wife, Mira Dowell, coming
reminded him to go to bed.
Cmon Hun.. you need your rest.. Tomorrow is a long flight, whats so
interesting?
Hmm just doing small research about Indonesian culture, answered Jay while
turning off his laptop. Mira just put a small smile. What is that with that smile?
Jay smiled back. Well, I am not quite sure about the small research you did, but
based on my experience working with people from different culture, it is
important that youre not stereotyping people, value other people as you would
be valued, and try to accept their culture and enjoy the moment.

Hm, thats a really wise advice, thanks Jay smiled again.

***
Jay and Matt arrived in Jakarta around late afternoon. There were two people
waiting for them. The first person was Budi, look young, tidy, manager like, Jay
guessed he must be the Liaison Officer from the Conoco Phillips. The other
person named Parjo looked not very much confident, a bit old, wearing an old but
tidy blue uniform, whom Jay knew later on as their driver for the rest of three
days visit in Jakarta. Budi didnt really introduce Parjo to both Jay and Matt, but
Jay noticed Parjo seemed like already understand his position. He quickly
grabbed Jay and Matts luggage on the trolley and packed them in the car
baggage. Although Budi and Matt seemed not really care, Jay rapidly help Parjo
up. Parjo seemed a bit shy, but soon Budi also helped Parjo while Matt seemed
not really sure what to do.
From the airport, they directly went to a nice hotel already chosen by the
company, exactly next to the company office building. While waiting for the bell
boy and enjoying their welcoming drink and snacks, Matt and Jay looked at a
small pub in the ground floor.
Jay, how about if we go to the pub after dinner?
I think we better have a rest. Tomorrow well have to be at the office caf at
8.00 am
Matt giggled, Its not the whole night, cmon besides, the Indonesians are
usually not very punctual. I guess the first session would be non-formal
Hm.. Sorry Matt, Im not very keen into it now.. Thanks..
***
The next morning, as scheduled before, Jay was ready by 7.30. The hotel and the
office building was connected to each other. Jay called Matt confirming that hes
also ready. Unfortunately, Matt was sounded really in a rush. Ten minutes passed
and Matt said he had not ready to go. Feeling a bit dilemma, but Jay then decided
to go by himself to make sure he came on time.
He saw the office caf just in the first floor next to the receptionist. A welcoming
waitress came to him and let him know that Mr. Ahmad Mulyadi, was already
there. Ahmad, followed by two other people, welcomed Jay with a bright smile
Welcome, we are really glad to see you, and is Mr. Matt Patterson coming with
you? Ahmad asked nicely, Well I guess He soon will be here. Oh.. alright
Ahmad responded without changing any expression. Despite the acceptable
reaction from Ahmad, Jay felt bad about Matt being late because from the
welcoming, it showed how their partners in Indonesia really honoured their visit.
Not to mention, it also turned out that not all Indonesians are having trouble with
time management as suggested by Matt.

Matt came at 8.15 when everyone had started their breakfast appetizers. He
looked a bit embarrassed at first, but seemed more confident after seeing the
Indonesian partners looked fine. From the small talks, Jay and Matt learned that
Mr. Ahmad, apart from his very Indonesian posture, was actually an engineering
graduate from Harvard University.
They continued the day by doing some office visits, presentations, and other
official agendas.
***
Time ran quickly. Jay and Matt were told that there would be an Indonesian Night
Dinner for all the boards. Jay asked, What do people usually wear in that kind
occasion?, Ahmad put a little smile Well it is a formal dinner, in Indonesia we
usually wear formal shirt with Batik motif, a traditional Indonesian patterned
materials, just like that person, pointing at someone using a traditional ethnic
shirt. Well.. its just a normal formal shirt then with different motif Jay
responded. It is Ahmad said, Otherwise it is okay for expatriates like you to
wear formal suits.
Jay was interested in wearing the ethnic motif shirt, it would be a new
experience. Still around the office building was a quite big mall. It is common in
Jakarta that office, Mall, and Hotel are located side by side. It really makes things
easier. Jay planned to buy one. He asked Matt if he also wants to. Matt, I want to
buy the batik shirt in that mall, are you also interested? asked Jay. Matt replied
with small giggle You are really into this Jay, I am amazed. Are you trying to be
Indonesian? No I am not interested. Jay then replied with a smile Well I dont
think the batik is a big deal, I mean it is a normal formal shirt, just different motif.
You know, Hawaii has its own motif.. but its up to you.
***
The dinner was prepared. Jay, with his batik, came with Matt to the dinner
reception. Few meters away was Ahmad with some people talking. Ahmad soon
recognised Jay in the Batik and he was impressed how Jay actually put his words
about the Batik into consideration.
The theme for the dinner turned out to be West Java menus; a lot of fresh
vegetables and rice, and not very big portion of protein. The food was actually
looked nice, but its just in America, usually rice was just the side dish, and
protein dominated the meal. Here, it was the opposite. Nevertheless, Jay try not
to offend the people, tried to enjoy the on-tray. Ahmad, you know this food is
really new to me. Do you have any suggestion on how to best eat these? asked
Jay. Ahmad then enthusiastically explained how to eat every part of the dish well
to make it delicious. It was true. Jay then felt satisfied with the food. However, he
felt sorry for Matt who only ate the protein and leave most of the rice untouched.
You dont like the dish Matt? asked Ahmad. Matt then answer, Well.. hmm.. I
dont know I havent actually tried to tastes all of them, I am just not used to you
know a lot of rice.. we usually serve more protein in The US. Ahmad then

quickly said, Oh.. Sorry about that, do you want us to find a European menu
instead? My apology for not telling you at first about our dinners theme. Matt
quickly answered Oh.. Thats fine, no need to. It tastes pretty good. However,
until the end of the dinner time Matt didnt seem to enjoy his meal, and just
feeling his stomach with more deserts.
***
Finally, the visit was over. It was a very satisfying trip for Jay. He liked the
politeness of the people, and was excited to learn more about the culture.
Two weeks later, Jay received an official letter about the details for his project in
Indonesia. A bit surprised, Jay re-read the paragraph stating his companion for
the project from the US. Matts name was not there. The letter said Jay Dowell
and Justin ODonnell. His mind quickly directs his memory to his former
colleague who was previously sent to Malaysia, and successfully finished the
project there. Hm.. interesting, Jay said to himself, closed the letter, and
smiled.
***
Questions to ask:
1) How Jay and Matt may be different in responding the situation arising in
Indonesia?
2) To what extent, Jay and Matt attitude would you think will affect their
future career?

Additional discussion about the scenario:

The scenario tried to outline the application about the importance of having
cultural intelligence, or in other words knowing, willing, and finally applying the
knowledge. In this case, the example is using the Hofstede culture compass. It
aligns with the theory from Brett, at al. about Managing Multicultural Team that
starts off by minising conflict through adapting the new environment and
differences. However, it also draws another perspective of Mindfulness by A.
Tuleja in her journal, that the key concepts to success in cross cultural
communication are also about combining prior knowledge to humans feeling
about what is right and wrong to apply in every situation. In other words, not
letting ourselves to just rely on the theory or information we know about a
culture, but also using our sense for not stereotyping and open for other
possibilities.
References
A. Tuleja, E. (2014). Developing Cultural Intelligence for Global Leadership Through
Mindfullness. Journal of Teaching in International Business, 25(1), 5-24.
Doi:10.1080/08975930.2014.881275

Brett, J., Behfar, K., & Kern, M. C. (2006). Managing Multicultural Teams. Harvard
Business Review, 84-91.
Earley, P. C., & Mosakowski, E. (2004). Cultural Intelligence.Harvard Business
Review, 139-146.
Hofstede. (2009, October 30). Country Comparison. Retrieved March 22, 2015,
from http://geert-hofstede.com/indonesia.html

Appendix
I.

List of Interview Questions

1. Konnichiwa, Ogenki desuka? (Meaning: Good afternoon, How are
you?
2. How long have you been here?
3. Have you ever been abroad before? For how long?
4. How do you feel about having a life, studying, and socialising in Oz?
5. How do you think the life in Oz is different to the life in Japan?
6. Based on your experience, what are the potential barriers/problems
that may arise during your experience adapting, socialising with
other culture?
7. Would you mind to answer these quick survey by saying True, False,
and Somewhat True. Here are the statements:
a. I think about how Im going to relate to people from a
different culture before I meet them
b. I understand the major religions and how they influence other
cultures
c. I know about the geography, history, and cultural leaders of
several countries
d. I regularly discuss world events with family and friends
e. I seek out opportunities to interact with people from different
cultures
f. I can adapt to living in a different culture with relative ease
g. I am confident that I can befriend locals in a culture that is
unfamiliar to me
h. I find work on a multicultural team very satisfying
i. I regularly associate with people from cultural backgrounds
different from my own
j. I alter my facial expressions and gestures as needed to
facilitate a cross-cultural interaction
k. I am quick to change the way I behave when a cross-cultural
encounter seems to require it
l. I take pleasure in talking with someone whose English is
limited

Short Summary about the Interview Result

My interviewee found some differences in term of eating manner, different
point of view or attitude, punctuality, language, students attitude in class.
However, he hardly find them as barriers because he stated that he tried
to accept and absorb other culture. He mostly was aware about his
friends cultural background. Curious with it, I did a small test on his
cultural intelligence and no surprise, he passed the test with brilliant
score.