3.17 Analyzing a Problem International E-Mail (Obj. 3)
American writers sometimes forget that people in other countries, even if they understand English, are not aware of the meanings of certain words and phrases.
Your Task. Study the following e-mail114 to be sent by a U.S. firm to a potential supplier in another country. Identify specific weaknesses that may cause troubles for intercultural readers.
Dear Koichi:
Because of the on-again/off-again haggling with one of our subcontractors, we have been putting off writing to you. We were royally turned off by their shoddy merchandise, the excuses they made up, and the way they put down some of our customers. Since we have our good name to keep up, we have decided to take the bull by the horns and see if you would be interested in bidding on the contract for spare parts
By playing ball with us, you are sure to score big with your products. So please give it your best shot and fire off your price list ASAP. We will need it by 3/8 if you are to be in the running.
Yours,
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