By Gloria Ho
Senior Staff Writer
An essential part of working abroad is understanding the host country’s customs and business culture. To inadvertently offend the other party during a preliminary meeting or even at the closing of a deal can prove detrimental to the relationship. Moreover, a vital aspect of any successful joint venture is trust between the two parties. It is easier to establish and maintain a firm relationship across national boundaries if both parties understand and accept each other’s social customs and culture. To avoid the breakdown of negotiations due to miscommunication, one should acquaint oneself with the unspoken rules and social traditions of the other party.
