| If your business requires you to travel | | | | and nearly expected in Italy, but in many |
| internationally, or meet regularly with | | | | Asian cultures it is considered distracting, |
| people of other countries, are you aware of | | | | a sort of meaningless chatter. Your best |
| what your gestures and body language are | | | | chance of having your speech or presentation |
| communicating? We all know that different | | | | have worldwide appeal is to keep your arm |
| cultures have different gestures and | | | | movements to a minimum.Keep your distance, |
| different levels of comfort with certain body | | | | maybe - Knowing what is expected in the |
| language, but do you know the specifics for | | | | culture you're visiting or working with is |
| the nationalities you deal with? You should, | | | | important. For instance, in the UK, Canada |
| as your trustworthiness and credibility may | | | | and the US, we're most comfortable with |
| be at stake. Here are a few tips to remember | | | | somewhere around 18-24 inches distance |
| about your body language in your next | | | | between us when we talk. In other parts of |
| international meeting.Don't use "signs" with | | | | Europe, they prefer to be a bit closer, about |
| your hands- You may have no idea what your | | | | 14-16 inches difference. In Asian countries, |
| commonly used symbol means in other | | | | they like even more distance - as much as 36 |
| countries. Here are some examples - the ok | | | | inches in Japan. But, in Middle Eastern |
| sign so commonly seen in the US means | | | | cultures, standing 24-36 inches away from |
| worthless or zero in France. Worse yet, in | | | | your associate would make you seem very |
| Brazil it is considered vulgar, so you might | | | | untrustworthy. They prefer a distance of |
| get slapped if you flash it to a woman from | | | | around 8-12 inches between parties when |
| that country. The thumbs up symbol that is | | | | talking.Your body language is crucial when |
| widely recognized in the western world as a | | | | conducting business. International |
| positive sign means "get stuffed", or | | | | negotiations can be difficult enough without |
| something very close to that in Bangladesh. | | | | having your body unintentionally send |
| At best, your audience may have no clue what | | | | insulting or inappropriate messages. So take |
| your gesture means; at worst it may be | | | | care... and maybe sit on your hands!Keith |
| offensive. Best bet - just keep any signs | | | | MacLean presents his Psychology of Persuasion |
| for your fellow countrymen!Don't wave your | | | | and Body Language seminars for a reasonable |
| arms - Talking with your hands is common - | | | | fee to groups of all sizes worldwide. |