True or false

1. You took Mr. Wong, a Chinese businessman, out for barbecued ribs. When you asked him how he liked them, he commented pleasantly that they were spicy. This probably means that he didnt like them.

2. Youre a business consultant in your first meeting with Ms. Pepino, president of an Italian company that manufactures designer shoes. When describing a management problem shes having, Ms. Pepino gestures animatedly with her hands, makes intense facial expressions, and raises her voice. You should try to calm her down by making your own behavior unemotional.

3. In his thank-you message to the Malaysian business team he just met with, Sam wrote, I am confident that we are on the same page with this venture, and I couldnt be more excited about it. This is an excellent way to convey his enthusiasm.

4. Youre conducting an online meeting to which members of your new South Korean team have been invited. Kim Su, one of the lower-ranking members of the team, hardly says anything. This is probably because South Korea has high power distance and she doesnt want to exceed her authority.

True False

5. When you first meet your contact for your companys new British partner, you slap him on the back, call him Geoff, and pump his hand about six times. You could be accused of ethnocentrism.

True False

6. Today you arrived for your second meeting with Mr. Alvera at his office in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He arrived 20 minutes late, full of goodwill and more than a few drinks. This clearly is a sign that he doesnt value your business.

True False

7. Janet is getting ready to do business in the Philippines, so she studies several cross-cultural resources to find out how the stereotypical Filipino behaves. This is a good step toward figuring out how to behave when she meets her business contacts there.

True False

8. You arrive at the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris for your third meeting with Marie Arnaud, owner of a small export business, who is picking you up herself. When you see her, you walk toward her, smiling, and hold out your hand. Instead of shaking it, Marie leans forward and kisses you on both cheeks. You are correct to fear that the business relationship is getting too personal.

True False

9. During your second meeting with Mohammad Azur, one of your overseas investors, you say, The profit from the rollout of our new product should more than make up for the downturn in sales last year. You should probably have worded this comment differently for easier understanding.