(Bk Business) Carol Kinsey Goman Ph.D.-The Nonverbal Advantage_ Secrets and Science of Body Language at Work -Berrett-Koehler Publishers (2008)

Chapter 9: Translating Body Language across Cultures
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that no two people belonging to the same culture will necessarily
respond in exactly the same way. Generalizations are
valid only to the extent that they provide clues on what you
will most likely encounter when dealing with members of a
particular culture.
TRY THIS
When preparing for an international business trip, it’s a good
idea to study the specific culture you’ll be dealing with, but
remember that books or articles on the global protocol may
offer advice that is generalized or stereotypical. The best
guideline still is: when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Or,
as I paraphrase it: stay aware and copy what you see!
Global Business Protocol
I recently received a phone call from the meeting planner for
a pharmaceutical company. She wanted me to participate in
a panel discussion on global business protocol. “And,” the
meeting planner told me, “don’t worry about giving us information
you think might be too basic. We need all the help
we can get!”
As globalization has become a fact of business life, cultural
acumen is becoming a required skill. Today everyone
is part of the global marketplace, and business professionals
may be required to deal with their counterparts in other
countries or lead a multicultural team. And, at least for most
business professionals in the United States, we still have a lot
to learn and a long way to go.
An example of the role of nonverbal communication in
the broader area of global protocol is this American organization
that was hoping to impress a group of businessmen from