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Localisation Faux Pas (Archive)
June 2003 |
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When United Airlines first started flying from Hong Kong, they gave all of their passengers a white carnation as a complimentary gift. The airline were puzzled when many of passengers refused to accept the gift. The reason for the refusal was that white carnations represent death or bad luck in many parts of Asia. As a result, the airline decided to change the color of the carnations to red. (Adapted from: Ricks, David A. Blunders in International Business. Cambridge, U.S.A.: Blackwell, 1993. ISBN 1-55786-414-4) |
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