Research differences in how people from cultures outside of the United States communicate when speaking. Consider such differences in how those from other cultures greet one another, and whether and how they shake hands, make eye contact, or gesture. Write a half-page report your findings.

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Someone whose job includes frequent contact with people needs to be adequately educated about acceptable behaviours, considering the culture of their business partners and customers.

Eye contact The Western culture includes eye contact when saying hello and during the whole business negotiations process. This is common for European and North American countries. Avoiding eye contact creates an impression of distrust between these individuals (interlocutors), doubt inaccuracy of the information obtained, or shows lack of interest for the subject discussed. Eastern countries do not prefer eye contact during conversation. These gestures are interpreted as the expression of disrespect for the interlocutor. This includes Japan, African countries and some Latin American countries.

The tone of the conversation When it comes to the tone of the conversation, in Brazil, Arab countries, and Germany, individuals prefer pronouncing sentences clearly and loudly. This demonstrates that the person is involved and interested in talking, and well versed in the topic of conversation. However, countries such as Thailand and Japan consider loud pronunciation as nervousness or being upset of the person.

Physical contact Physical contact in Latin American countries implies handshaking, embracing, and kissing on the cheek when meeting and making conversation. In Brazil, it is a typical gesture to kiss someone's cheek when you first meet this person. Mexican people usually hug their interlocutor when saying hello, while in Costa Rica is custom to kiss women on the cheek and to put your hand on their opposite shoulder. In Southeast Asian countries, any form of touch is unacceptable.

The distance between the interlocutors In the states of North and South America, it's a custom that the interlocutors stand very close to each other. When making conversation with people from European countries, it's essential to keep a bit more distance between the interlocutors. For example, in Switzerland the person will move backwards if you get too close to him/her.