the meeting was called to discuss ideas for reducing operating costs. Kusumoto began by outline his company's aspirations for its long-term U.S. presence. He then turned to budgetary matters. A Japanese manager politely offered one suggestion, and an American than proposed another. After gingerly discussing the alternatives for quite some time, the exasperated American blurted out: "Look, that idea is just not going to have much impact. Look at the numbers!" In the face of such bluntness, uncommon and unacceptable in Japan, Kusumoto fell silent. He leaned back, drew air between his teeth, and felt a deep longing to return home. He realized his life in this country would be filled with many such jarring encounters and lamented his posting to a land of such rudeness.