BUSINESS CUSTOMS THAT COULD MAKE OR BREAK (성패를 좌우하다) A DEAL

Sometimes business can take you out of your home country. New opportunities can often be found overseas, and the ambitious (야심 있는) entrepreneur (사업가) shouldn't be afraid of growing beyond their own borders. However, conducting business with people from other cultures means being aware of local protocol (외교 의례) and etiquettes.

France - If you don't speak French, that's OK, but you are expected to apologize for your lack of fluency before engaging in further conversation. If you don't have time to

learn French before doing business there, learning a few phrases can serve as a show of good faith. Also, be prepared for lengthy (너무 긴, 지루한) meals in France. Lunch can last up to two hours long.

Italy - Don’t expect to get down to brass tacks (본론으로 들어가다) with Italians. In Italy, business is often personal and relationship driven, so expect to spend a significant

amount of time getting to know your Italian business partners and developing a relationship with them. If you relax and put business on the back burner (잠시 제쳐두다) instead of focusing your efforts on forming a foundation based on trust and friendly communication, you'll find more success in Italy than a hard-driving (정력적인), all-business, all-the-time approach.

Australia - Set your alarm early when doing business in Australia. Punctuality (시 간 엄수) is absolutely key when meeting to discuss business. If you're not going to be

precisely on time, then you should arrive a bit early. Otherwise, you could be perceived as rude or unorganized by your hosts. Don't lose a deal because you were five minutes late.

Brazil - Expect a complete invasion of personal space if doing business in Brazil. While it could be considered impolite in the U.S. In Brazil, it is customary (관례적인) to

stand extremely close and use lots of physical contact while talking. United Arab Emirates - Left-handers may have some trouble doing business in

the United Arab Emirates. In Middle Eastern countries, the left hand is considered unclean and used strictly for bodily hygiene. Eat, shake hands and pass documents with

the right hand only. Using the left hand to do any of those activities is a serious insult.