A British national was sent to the United States to work in a subsidiary. He was an engineer in a management position in charge of building a new factory for the corporation. He was initially offered intercultural training; however, he felt comfortable because both countries spoke the same language and declined the training. The British engineer later complained to the home office that he was not getting the cooperation he needed. The home office hired an intercultural trainer to go to his office to review his correspondence and sit in on some of his meetings. The intercultural trainer discovered that the U.S. employees did not understand his communications.

The engineer was interjecting British humor and sarcasm in both his oral communication and his e-mail messages. The U.S. subordinates did not know when he was serious about a problem and when they were to ignore his statements. What are some examples of humor used by people of the United States with foreigners that U.S. persons expect foreigners to understand?