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Cross CulturesMasters11 m+130 XP
Global etiquette: customs, taboos & the unwritten rules
Greetings, gifts, dining, dress & religious calendars — the details that open or close doors
Business cards in Japan: receive with both hands, read it carefully, never write on it, never put it in your back pocket — the card is an extension of the person. Gift-giving in China: never give clocks (associated with death), never give green hats (associated with infidelity), wrap gifts in red. Handshakes in the Middle East: wait for the other party to extend their hand first, especially in mixed-gender situations. These aren't trivia — they're the difference between a deal and an insult.
Key Points
- ▸Japan: business cards = respect ritual, never rush it
- ▸China: avoid clocks, scissors, and umbrellas as gifts
- ▸Middle East: left hand is considered unclean — avoid using it
- ▸India: head wobble means "yes, I'm listening" not "no"