relationship with customer

 You are working at a customer location in a foreign country where it is customary to exchange gifts during their New Year celebrations. Your company forbids you from accepting any form of gifts from your customer, but you have a strong feeling that if you refuse to accept and reciprocate the gesture it can severely affect your relationship with the customer. In this case it is BEST to?

A)Politely refuse to accept any gifts explaining your company policy

B)Discuss this situation with your project sponsor or legal department

C)Accept the gift and keep it confidential so that there is no loss of face for your organization

D)Take a break from project work to go on a small vacation during local New Year time 

crushPMP's picture

A

 I too have answered as A. Whereas the answer is given as B

 In some cultures where offering gifts is a custom, rejecting or returning the gifts may be considered rude and inappropriate behavior. Appreciation of cultural differences is the way to win the trust of people from divergent cultures.

May be this justification will help.

crushPMP's picture

Thanks BK, makes sense.

 Thank You BK

Regards

Vijaya