1. There are three of you interviewing an Afghani man for a position in your company. Of the interviewers, two of you are women. The interviewee only ever gives eye contact to the man and never to the women. This is because: He is nervous around women He is showing respect to the women
2. In Spain, the main purpose of a business meeting would be to: Make decisions by discussing in the length the pro's and con's of an issue Reach agreements by consensus Brief the team on a decisions already taken
3. You asking a question of a junior Japanese colleague and he/she looks down and answers you. He/she : Has something to hide and is looking for answer to cover their back Is paying your respect
4. Your German colleague says about a proposal you have put together, "no offense, but this idea is ridiculous." He/she : is merely expressing their opinion and means no harm is being blunt and has no etiquette is being rude to undermine your position
5. You are making a proposal to a group of Japanese executives when you notice a few of them sat with their arms folded and eyes closed. They are: Listening intently Tired and catching up on some sleep Pretending to be asleep to show you that they think your presentation is poor
6. A potential Mexican client arrives 45 minutes late for a business meeting. He/she: Has arrived late on purpose to show that they are the party in the driving seat Has simply arrived late as punctuality is taken lightly in Mexico Has arrived late to let you enjoy your surroundings before discussing business
7. During a break for a meeting between you and a group of Saudis, you walk into the men's room to find a few of them washing their feet in the sink. You think: They must have had smelly feet They are simply freshening themselves up Are preparing to read their prayers
8. You are beginning negotiations with a Chinese company. From the start of the meeting the Chinese team show great humility and deference. You should think: Such behaviour is a ploy designed to gain concessions Such behaviour is just the way Chinese people are Such behaviour shows these negotiations will be easy
9. While in South Korea, you present a gift to a new client to thank him for his hospitality and to cement your business relationship. He/she refuses to accept the gift. You should: Apologise for offending him/her Insist he/she takes it until it is accepted Offer it to someone else from his/her company
10. You are the new manager in an Indian office. You ask one of your supervisors to move a desk and place it in another corner of the office. The next day you notice it has not yet been done. Why? The supervisor was offended you asked him/her and refused to do anything about it The supervisor could not find a labourer to move it and would not do so him/herself Because things get done slowly in India Email:
