You have completed an important presentation to several Japanese executives regarding a proposed partnership between your British company and their Japanese firm. Your presentation is greeted by a long silence with the Japanese executives continuing to look at you. This silence probably means that the Japanese executives:
A)disagree with your proposal and can't think of a polite way of telling you about their rejection.
B)are trying to intimidate you in order to gain the advantage during the negotiation stage.
C)are waiting for formal confirmation that you have completed your presentation.
D)are contemplating what you have just said and are showing respect for your presentation.
E)are so overjoyed by the proposal that they are speechless.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In Japanese business culture, it is common to show respect and honor to the presenter by remaining silent for a period of time after a presentation. This allows the listeners to contemplate what was said and to gather their thoughts before responding. Therefore, the long silence probably indicates that the Japanese executives are thinking about the proposal and showing respect for the presentation.

You Have Completed an Important Presentation to Several Japanese Executives