CultureCrossing.net is an evolving database of cross-cultural information about every country in the world.  This user-built guide allows people from all walks of life to share essential tips with each other about how to navigate our increasingly borderless world with savvy and sensitivity.   Easy to navigate and free to use, CultureCrossing.net provides an opportunity for travelers, business people and students to:

Foreigners may believe that the UK resident is overly formal and focused on etiquette, with conversation based almost entirely on the weather.

However, in reality the communication culture of the UK business world is more open and relaxed than many imagine, with efforts to extend a work relationship into the realms of informality or even friendship.

Increasing diversity in the workplace and general marketplace is making it increasingly difficult to communicate effectively--whether you're a medical communicator, a procedure writer, a freelance copywriter or a web content writer.

This article looks at two main types of barriers to effective communications--global barriers and gender barriers--and then provides insight on the tools available that can help overcome these communication barriers.

Imagine this: You walk into your local Wal-Mart and see a pool filled with live turtles, cages of live chickens, and an aquarium with live fish. Are you in the pet department? No, you’re in the grocery section–-these animals are for your dinner!

In Western culture, this would be shocking. You might even see protests, or consumer outrage. But in Eastern cultures, this is typical. Why? Wal-Mart conducted market research before expanding into China, and discovered that people in these cultures don’t like food wrapped in plastic. It gives them the impression that the food is old, and they won’t buy it.

The difference between local and global markets is like the difference between the fishbowl and the ocean. To understand and engage successfully requires a shift in perspective. Here are a few tips to help you get the most from your global communications efforts:

The Inverted Triangle Dilemma is a discussion about what is considered persuasive argumentation in both the mainstream North American and Latin American cultures.

In this expert panel podcast you will hear about how to improve business communications between the U.S. and Latin America, and how this knowledge can also be used to more effectively market to Hispanic consumers in the US.

We know we are living in a global age. Technology has brought the world much closer together. This means that people of different cultures find themselves working together and communicating more and more.

This is exciting and interesting, but it can also be frustrating and fraught with uncertainty. How do you relate to someone of another culture? What do you say, or not say, to start a conversation off right? Are there cultural taboos you need to be aware of?

Although most Australians speak English, communication problems can—and do—exist with English speakers from elsewhere in the world. A distinct accent and use of slang make spoken Australian English quite unique. Some idiomatic differences in "Strine" (Australian) include:

"Full bottle" = fully informed, knowledgeable
"Fair dinkum = true, genuine
"No worries" = no problem
"mate" = male friend
“G’day” = hello
"biscuits" = cookies
"chemist" = pharmacy

In Spain, a business dinner will last well into the early morning hours--many restaurants don't even open until 9 p.m. and don't get busy
until 10 or 11 p.m.

Australians aren't impressed by a title or status--they expect your work to speak for itself.

The Japanese aren't afraid to ask how much money you earn or how large your home is.

These are only three out of thousands of different customs, business protocols and social mores throughout the world. International business can be tricky; if you aren't prepared, your business deal can go down in flames.

This 16-slide presentation discusses employment practices, greetings and introductions, business cards, and customs in Mexico, Germany, Japan, France, and Russia.