Global Fluency Quiz

Avoid long, continued eye-contact in Mexico, as Mexicans tend to feel that intense eye-contact is aggressive and threatening.

Avoid long, continued eye-contact in Mexico, as Mexicans tend to feel that intense eye-contact is aggressive and threatening.

In Brazil, there is no expectation to have a gift at the first meeting, but you should consider buying lunch or dinner. If you end up giving a gift later on, avoid the colors black or purple.

In Brazil, there is no expectation to have a gift at the first meeting, but you should consider buying lunch or dinner. If you end up giving a gift later on, avoid the colors black or purple.

It’s important for you to be punctual to meetings, but don’t expect the same of your Spanish colleagues. It’s likely you’ll wait for them, but you should not see it as a sign of disrespect.

It’s important for you to be punctual to meetings, but don’t expect the same of your Spanish colleagues. It’s likely you’ll wait for them, but you should not see it as a sign of disrespect.

Germans expect all individuals to follow protocol. As such, you should avoid any sudden changes in your plans, even if they may improve your end result.

Germans expect all individuals to follow protocol. As such, you should avoid any sudden changes in your plans, even if they may improve your end result.

Never use your left hand when shaking hands or offering gifts to a Ghanaian.

Never use your left hand when shaking hands or offering gifts to a Ghanaian.

In South Africa, the foot is often considered dirty and should not be put on display in any way. When seated, it is acceptable to cross your legs at the knee but you should never place your ankle on your knee to expose the bottom of your foot.

In South Africa, the foot is often considered dirty and should not be put on display in any way. When seated, it is acceptable to cross your legs at the knee but you should never place your ankle on your knee to expose the bottom of your foot.

When organizing a meeting, know that Saudis plan their meetings around the day’s prayer times. You should familiarize yourself with this schedule before suggesting a meeting, as the times changes through the year.

When organizing a meeting, know that Saudis plan their meetings around the day’s prayer times. You should familiarize yourself with this schedule before suggesting a meeting, as the times changes through the year.

If given a gift in India, never open it in front of the person who gave it to you. When giving gifts, wrap them in green, red, or yellow, all of which are considered lucky colors in India.

If given a gift in India, never open it in front of the person who gave it to you. When giving gifts, wrap them in green, red, or yellow, all of which are considered lucky colors in India.

When doing business in China, always be intentional about the way that you present and receive business cards. Hold and deliver yours with both hands, face the person that you’re giving it to, and be sure to comment positively on their card when you receive it. Compliment the title, card design or company logo. You should receive their card in the same manner that you delivered yours — with both hands, squarely facing them. Never place a received business card in any pocket, bag, or folder in front of the person who gave it to you, as it’s considered rude and offensive.

When doing business in China, always be intentional about the way that you present and receive business cards. Hold and deliver yours with both hands, face the person that you’re giving it to, and be sure to comment positively on their card when you receive it. Compliment the title, card design or company logo. You should receive their card in the same manner that you delivered yours — with both hands, squarely facing them. Never place a received business card in any pocket, bag, or folder in front of the person who gave it to you, as it’s considered rude and offensive.

Indonesians tend to be very comfortable with silence. Understanding that is important for Westerners, who often tend to be less comfortable with silence and move the conversation on as a way to fill that void. Silence and long pauses in business interactions don’t necessarily mean that your counterpart rejects or accepts a proposal.

Indonesians tend to be very comfortable with silence. Understanding that is important for Westerners, who often tend to be less comfortable with silence and move the conversation on as a way to fill that void. Silence and long pauses in business interactions don’t necessarily mean that your counterpart rejects or accepts a proposal.

Australians are open-minded but do not find it difficult to say “no” right away. Thus, their immediate decline should not be seen as rude, but rather efficient.

Australians are open-minded but do not find it difficult to say “no” right away. Thus, their immediate decline should not be seen as rude, but rather efficient.