Intercultural Business Etiquette

South Africa
Communication style
• Most people do not want to argue or disagree with strangers,
so they will either ignore your question or give you a noncommitted
answer.
• Business colleagues stand at arm’s length from each other.
• There tends to be a decent amount of touching of arms,
shoulders and hands when interacting with a South Africans.
Especially when an exciting story is being told, there is more
expression and imitation of sounds and facial movements.
• Direct eye contact is the norm, but not to the point of staring
or it will seem like a challenge.
Gestures
• Beckon by extending the arm and waving towards you. Tell
people to go away by waving away from your self.
• Thumbs up is very common for saying well done or saying
everything is okay, it is a positive gesture.
• Placing both hands together with fingers pointing up means
thank you.