Are you aware of the main non-verbal languages in international business?

Time

The importance of being 'on time' In the high-context cultures (Middle East, Latin America), time is flexible and not seen as a limited commoaity.

Space

Conversational distance between people

Example: Individuals vary in the amounts of space they want seperating them from others. Arabs and Latin Americans like to stand close to people they are talking with. If an American, who may not be comfortable with such close range, backs away from an Arab, this might be taken incorrectly as a negative reaction.

Material Possessions

The relevence of material possessions and interest in latest technology. This can have an importance in both low-context and high-context countries.

Friendship Patterns

The significance of trusted friends as a social insurance in times of stress and emergency.

Example: In high-context countries, extended social acquaintance and the establishment of appropriate personal relations are essential to conducting business. The feeling is that one should often know ones business partner on a personal level before transactions occur.

Business Agreements

Rules of negotiations based on laws, moral practices or informal customs.

Example: negotiating, body language handshaking agreements, level of trust needed differs in high-context vs low-context cultures.