Much of today's business is conducted across international borders, and while the majority of the global business community might share the use of English as a common language, the nuances and expectations of business communication might differ greatly from culture to culture. A lack of understanding of the cultural norms and practices of our business acquaintances can result in unfair judgements, misunderstandings and breakdowns in communication. Here are three basic areas of differences in the business etiquette around the world that could help stand you in good stead when you next find yourself working with someone from a different culture

When discussing this topic in a training course, a German trainee and a British trainee got into a hot debate about whether it was appropriate for someone with a doctorate to use the corresponding title on their business card. The British trainee maintained that anyone who wasn't a medical doctor expecting to be addressed as 'Dr' was disgustingly pompous and full of themselves. The German trainee, however, argued that the hard work and years of education put into earning that PhD should give them full rights to expect to be addressed as 'Dr'.

This stark difference in opinion over something that could be conceived as minor and thus easily overlooked goes to show that we often attach meaning to even the most mundane practices. When things that we are used to are done differently, it could spark the strongest reactions in us. While many Continental Europeans and Latin Americans prefer to be addressed with a title, for example Mr or Ms and their surname when meeting someone in a business context for the first time, Americans, and increasingly the British, now tend to prefer using their first names. The best thing to do is to listen and observe how your conversation partner addresses you and, if you are still unsure, do not be afraid to ask them how they would like to be addressed.

A famous Ukranian  proverb states that 'a smile without reason is a sign of idiocy' and a so-called 'smile of respect' is seen as insincere and often regarded with suspicion in Ukraine. Yet in countries like the United States, Australia and Britain, smiling is often interpreted as a sign of openness, friendship and respect, and is frequently used to break the ice.

An American or British person might be looking their client in the eye to show that they are paying full attention to what is being said, but if that client is from Japan or Korea, they might find the direct eye contact awkward or even disrespectful. In parts of South America and Africa, prolonged eye contact could also be seen as challenging authority. In the Middle East, eye contact across genders is considered inappropriate, although eye contact within a gender could signify honesty and truthfulness.

Having an increased awareness of the possible differences in expectations and behaviour can help us avoid cases of miscommunication, but it is vital that we also remember that cultural stereotypes can be detrimental to building good business relationships. Although national cultures could play a part in shaping the way we behave and think, we are also largely influenced by the region we come from, the communities we associate with, our age and gender, our corporate culture and our individual experiences of the world. The knowledge of the potential differences should therefore be something we keep at the back of our minds, rather than something that we use to pigeonhole the individuals of an entire nation.

Question:

If you are not sure how to address someone, you should …

Strange burial

In 2017, archaeologists discovered the remains of a Bronze Age chief in Lechlade, a town in the west of England. The finding is historically interesting as the artefacts with which he was buried indicate that he was very important. Plus, the manner of his burial was significantly different from other burials at the time. Even more fascinating was the discovery of an older man’s remains close to the chief’s. Archaeologists are puzzling over what the relationship between the two men could be, and why they were treated so differently from the norm at the time.

Interestingly, the chief was buried with the heads and hooves of four cattle around 4,200 ago. Carbon dating has revealed that the remains, which were found in an area where a skate park is to be built, date back to the Bronze Age. Archaeologist Andy Hood, who helped to excavate the site, said that it was common for Bronze Age chiefs to be buried with the skull and hooves of a single cattle, but that until now none had been uncovered with multiple cattle remains in the UK. This fact seems to indicate that this chief was especially important. Hood and his colleagues consider it likely that the animals were killed as part of the burial ceremony. The loss of four of them would have been a considerable sacrifice.

Other artefacts found near the chief include a copper dagger, a stone wrist guard, a fire-making kit and some jewellery. These items were typically buried alongside members of the “Beaker culture”. These were people who arrived in Britain from mainland Europe in around 2400BC. They were given this name due to the tall pots which looked like beakers that were typical of this culture. Usually, prominent people from this culture were buried with such a pot, but this chief was not. Archaeologists wonder whether this meant that this chief was especially revered among the Beaker society and was not symbolised by the typical pot.

The chieftain was buried at the centre of a circular pit. At the time, soil would have been piled on top of it. Near the chief, within the circle, were the remains of the older man, who was about 50-60 years old when he died. Newspapers have suggested that the older man was a priest who was sacrificed to help the chief in the afterlife. However, archaeologists say there is no evidence to support this idea. Even so, the older man’s burial is strange, as he was buried in an unusual seated position, with his legs going downwards into the earth. Bronze Age people, including the chief, were almost always buried on their sides. The reason for this unique position, the status of the chief and the relationship between the two men, may remain a mystery forever.

 _____ was/were discovered in a park in Lechlade, UK.

They ….. already to the British  Museum.

…   you ever been to Kiev ?…   you ever been to Kiev?

He didn't even 

(raise his eyes) when she came in. So rude!

_____ do me a favour, please? I need you to take me to the station.

And teens get more easily addicted to the internet and social media because their brains are still developing and they still have to set their priorities, and that makes it more difficult _____control their use of social media even when they know that they really need to study for exams.

 However, she cared more than I did and gradually, I realised that we were not on the same level, and that I was going to end up hurting her. I needed to stop seeing her, because _____ I was with her, the more I would hurt her feelings.

You know exams are around the corner and you can’t stop checking your Facebook? If that is _____, you are _____ to get bad results because of your more than apparent internet addiction.

They've been together _____ the beginning.