Before we left on our trip, I read a blog written by a couple who had traveled to China recently.  They told about some of the cultural differences they had observed and one in particular they named “besmirchment”.  I filed it away in my mind but forgot to tell John about it.  Well, wouldn’t you know he learned about it personally at the conference yesterday but didn’t understand what it was until I told him the blog story.

John had been standing in a crowded area next to a low table with a wine glass full of napkins stuffed into it.  Someone bumped into him and the the glass was knocked to the floor where it smashed into smithereens.  Not wanting anyone to get hurt, John kept signaling for the waitress to come over.  When she finally arrived, he could see she was peeved, and asked John if he would pay for it.  He tried  to explain to her that it was an accident but he thought she just wasn’t understanding him.  She walked away extremely irritated.

When he relayed the story to me I explained to him that over here if you “besmirch” something in a restaurant, hotel, or business, it is up to you to pay compensation for the item.  We verified that fact with our local friends; it is definitely the custom.  Doesn’t  do much to build future customer relations!