Cecil Court was the inspiration for Diagon Alley for the Harry Potter movies. London

According to Mark Twain, “America and England are two great nations separated by a common language.” He was right. For many Americans arriving in the U.K., it’s a shock to discover that American English can be vastly different from English English. When we think we fit right in and don’t stand out from the natives, it’s easy to make some embarrassing mistakes. (Don’t ask for an order “to go” at a British restaurant; it’s a “takeaway.”)

Lately, I’ve been reading about autism. Asperger’s syndrome is a type of high-functioning autism with better language skills than other forms of autism; people with this condition often find themselves in higher education as professors. They can lock in on a subject and stay focused. In the movie Rain Man, Dustin Hoffman showed us the savant aspect of autism with his ability with numbers. Unfortunately, he also showed another part of autism — clueless about things around him.

As a photographer, I study people and how they act and react to all sorts of things so that I can photograph them and show who they are. As a result, I have, over the years, become an armchair sociologist. I’m fascinated with people’s behavior, especially within groups.

Converting the Natives

I have watched missionaries in Africa “convert folks,” only to find out that the locals were being kind and didn’t want to embarrass them. The missionaries were equating to how people respond “back home” and were unaware of the foreign culture.

In parts of America, people are incredibly polite. So it isn’t easy to know where you stand with them. In other parts of the country, people don’t hold back their feelings; unless you are accustomed to this behavior, it’s easy to take it personally. Sometimes your best friends will point out your worst faults, yet your worst enemy is always pleasant to you.

The most successful business people try to win and hold clients for the long run — not just long enough to close a sale. If we focus on selling a product and finding a one-time buyer, we focus on the short-term. Like the missionary who thinks she has “converted a soul” but has not learned the culture, it’s a short-sighted approach to life.

Many successful people I have encountered are collectors. They may collect baseball memorabilia or classic cars, or art. They enjoy finding something and holding on to it. I think this is also how they feel about people. They want “collect” them and keep them around. They are interested in developing a relationship with these people — not just conducting a transaction.

In some cultures, it is rude to jump to the transaction or point of the visit immediately. Before getting to business, you must spend time with a cup of coffee or tea, talk about families, and complete other cultural necessities. Most cultures reward those who pursue relationships and not just transactions.

With Relationships Come Rewards

I believe if we focus on connecting with people, the rewards will follow. But, on the other hand, I think focusing on tips rather than relationships is the surest route to failure.

It’s easy to tell the difference when you deal with people. How many people have you met who made you feel necessary to them? Conversely, how many thought you were just a stepping stone on their path to success? Which of these did you look forward to meeting, or working with, again?

Showing an interest in other people and cultures is not only good business. It’s a more personally rewarding way to go through life.