1. When Procter & Gamble launched its Pampers brand in Japan, the diaper package confused and disturbed customers. As in the United States, the package featured the picture of a stork delivering a baby. Why were Japanese parents perturbed? It turns out that the myth of a stork carrying babies to expectant parents is unknown in Japan. Instead, according to Japanese lore, giant floating peaches deliver offspring. Can you explain what may have caused the intercultural blunder? How could Procter & Gamble have avoided it?
2. A stereotype is an oversimplified perception of a behavioral pattern or characteristic applied to entire groups. For example, the Swiss are hardworking, efficient, and neat; Germans are formal, reserved, and blunt, Americans are loud, friendly, and impatient, Canadians are polite, trusting, and tolerant; Asians are gracious, humble, and inscrutable. In what way are such stereotypes harmless or harmful?