Matthew , do you know much about body language in countries around the world ?
neutral
user
Sure , I've picked up a few things from travelling around for work . Why ?
neutral
assistant
Well , I had a meeting today with a woman from Japan and she wouldn't stop bowing ! I didn't know what to do !
neutral
user
Did you bow back ?
neutral
assistant
No , I tried to shake her hand , but her hand was so limp I was a bit offended .
neutral
user
Well , Japanese businessmen and women typically bow to greet each other in Japan . She might have been offended by your strong handshake .
neutral
assistant
But she was in America ! Shouldn't she have known that strong handshakes in America signify confidence and respect ?
neutral
user
Things are different in Japan . You know , in some countries , making eye contact with others is considered rude .
neutral
assistant
Is that why she wouldn ’ t look at me in the meeting ?
neutral
user
I think it's highly possible , yes .
neutral
assistant
The meeting really didn ’ t go down well at all . I think I need to read up about intercultural communication before I have another meeting with someone from another country .
neutral
user
That's a good idea . When you don ’ t know much about other cultures , the simplest thing can offend someone .
neutral
assistant