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Old Apr 17, 2014 | 2:14 pm
  #47  
exbayern
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,964
Originally Posted by SanDiego1K
As someone who has done international business for 30 years, I don't agree. If I wanted to represent my company, I needed to understand the cultural norms of where I traveled. If I wasn't willing to make that effort, I wasn't going to maximize my value for the company and I shouldn't be given those assignments.
This thread, and your words, have been on my mind lately. I am glad that I managed to locate it and reread it. (The original post made me again laugh and shake my head at the same time)

Living in a kissing culture country, but coming from a country far more reserved, and having my personal life in yet another country even more kissable, I have changed quite a bit in how I approach these interactions in a business setting. What was once a cultural obligation, and perhaps sometimes uncomfortable, is now a very natural part of my work environment much of the time.

And it carries over to written communication when working in certain areas or communicating with people from certain countries. The emails and texts we exchange are very different in tone, and exchanging kisses in writing is not at all unusual. (And it is both men and women who send me virtual kisses)

I have adapted, and I find that I am really enjoying the change it has brought to how I interact.
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