Decision-making can be extremely difficult. Decision-making styles are significantly different in different cultures.

In any approach to a problem and in any negotiations, the Western world turns to the“I to you” approach while Japan，the “you to you” approach. The former means both sides present their arguments openly from their own point of view. Naturally, often comes a confrontation(冲突) situation, which Westerners are very skillful in dealing with. The latter is based on each side trying to understand the other person’s point of view. Thus, the direction of the meeting is a mutual(相互的) attempt to reduce confrontation and achieve harmony.

Besides, Western decision-making goes mostly from top management(管理人员) and often does not consult middle management or the worker. However, in Japan great consideration is given to the thoughts and opinions of everyone at all levels. Based on “bottom-up direction”, ideas can be created at the lowest levels, travel upward through an organization and have an effect on the final decision.

Difference in decision-making also comes from different communication styles. The Japanese business person works to achieve harmony, even if the deal falls through, and will spend whatever time is necessary to determine a “you to you” approach, communicating personal views only indirectly. They put a thorough job above the Western deadline approach. So the Japanese are thorough in their meetings. Thus Americans are often annoyed by the many meetings in many Japanese businesses. But where the American is pressing for a specific decision, the Japanese is trying to think up a rather broad direction.

On the other hand, once a given agreement is made, it is the Japanese who sometimes wonder at the slow pace in which Westerners carry out the decision. The Japanese are eager to move forward and Westerners, perhaps, lag(落后) behind as they take the time for in-depth planning.

1. The text mainly tells us that Japan and the Western world         .

A. face great difficulty in making decisions 

B. are different in decision-making styles

C. have all members contribute to a decision  

D. have two approaches: “I to you” and “you to I”

2.Which of the following is TRUE of the Westerners?

A. They carry out the decision once it is made.

B. There are many meetings in their businesses.

C. They work to achieve harmony in doing business.

D. They are good at handling confrontation situation.

3.The author’s attitude towards Japanese decision-making is         .

A. positive     B. critical    C. negative     D. casual(无所谓的）

 

 

After we meet people it is up to us to make them our friends．Let us stop a moment and consider what really makes a friend．The major qualities like faithfulness, devotion, friendly company, flash through our minds．But it is the large number of very small particular qualities that make up one’s whole character, such as cheerfulness, friendliness, and punctuality (守时).After all, “ to make a friend, be a friend” is not such a big and difficult order．There are particular favorable qualities, which attract others to us, and some elements which do have an effect on people in fundamental psychology(基础心理学) or not.

If you are in the presence of a shy person, talking and asking casual (随意的) questions may bring him out of his shell．Think of what would be most acceptable to the other person, for you to talk, or to listen．Either way the goal is to make yourself pleasant.

Always remember to listen, but listen intelligently．To have anyone “ hang on our words” is the most unnoticeably clever way in the world to please somebody．For a few extremely happy seconds we are the centre of attraction, but when it is our turn to be audience, let us remember how we felt as the actor, and let’s be genuinely (真正地) interested in what the other fellow is saying.

Other people will like us, if we like them．If you want friends, keep your mind and heart open to friendship．Be alive to the other person’s world.

This passage is mainly about_________________.

     A．the ways of talking to a shy person

     B．some favorable qualities to be a psychologist

     C．how to make yourself attractive to your listeners

     D．how to make a friend and be a friend

The words “ bring him out of his shell” in this passage most probably means ____.

     A．make him become active    

       B．make him feel more nervous

     C．help him understand the question better

     D．help him listen intelligently

According to the passage, an important way in making friends is to ________.

     A．attract them               B．be attracted 

       C．listen attentively            D．talk widely

The words “ Be alive to” in the last sentence of this passage most probably means________.

     A．be aware of                 B．keep with   

       C．deal with             D．be ignorant of