Learning About Other Countries

When meeting business people from other countries, you will feel more comfortable if you know the basics of business etiquette and intercultural communication, such as greetings, attire, or dos and don'ts. On the Web you will find many resources, some more reliable than others.

Your Task. Visit Executive Planet at http://www.executiveplanet. com and the International Business Center's site at http://www. cyborlink.com. (If the URL doesn't work, use Google to search for International Business Etiquette.) Click the region or the individual country link to obtain brief but useful information. For example, the International Business Center site is divided into some of the following aspects: Fun facts, appearance, behavior, communication, resources, and so forth. You can also ask questions and receive personalized feedback. This Web site provides analysis based on renowned Dutch psychologist Geert Hofstede's five dimensions of culture applied to each country.

Peruse both Web sites and answer the following questions:

a. How do people greet each other in Australia, India, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, and Spain?

b. In what countries is it important to keep a certain distance from the person you are greeting?

c. In what countries is a kiss appropriate?