In the global environment, your clients of a different cultural background can be put off by simple cultural mistakes. By learning a few easy pointers, you can lessen the chance of you making an international etiquette mistake, and maximize your business impact by being more culturally sensitive than your competition. Studying a culture (even if the research is relatively brief) will get results. You will become more culturally aware, and you'll get the fascinating chance to learn about people different than you, as well as earning trust by showing your interest and respect to different cultures and lifestyles. Always keep in mind the image you are projecting of yourself and your company when traveling in different countries - countries whose cultural outlook might be far different than an American outlook.

Here are a few tips to get you started thinking about the way you can represent your company and yourself to the best of your ability while overseas, or while entertaining overseas clients. When sitting down, don't cross your legs - keep your feet flat on the floor. In Northern Europe and Asia, the crossing of legs indicates you are comfortable with your audience - a little premature in a business meeting. Keeping the soles of your feet on the floor is important in Asia and Arab countries as well - exposing your soles is regarded as offensive.

Other behaviors to look out for include using your hands too much and repetitious, nervous gestures (picking at your fingernails, etc.) These behaviors signal you are uncomfortable in your new cultural environment and make your cross-cultural counterparts aware of your weaknesses and lack of awareness.

One of the most important parts of a good international (and local) business impression is refraining from stereotypically "American" behavior. This behavior includes being loud, overly direct, abrupt, and overly friendly. The first three behaviors make you look foolish and the latter makes you look insincere.

Most importantly, perhaps, is the notion of hospitality. Accept it! Even if you aren't the biggest fan of oolong tea or exotic cuisine, your willingness to try new things will mark you as open-minded and willing to take chances - always a good thing when doing business.