Africa

<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='tab-interval:.5in'> <div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-size:24.0pt'>Africa<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>[if !supportEmptyParas] [endif]<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Greetings<o:p></o:p></b></p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in'>Hand shakes are customary</li> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal>[if !supportEmptyParas] [endif]</p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in'>Avoid direct eye contact (shows respect)</li> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal>[if !supportEmptyParas] [endif]</p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in'>Two language business card</li> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal>[if !supportEmptyParas] [endif]</p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in'>Small gifts are generally welcome</li> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal>[if !supportEmptyParas] [endif]</p> <p class=MsoNormal>[if !supportEmptyParas] [endif]</p> <p class=MsoNormal><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Meals<o:p></o:p></b></p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .5in'>There are three meals a day</li> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=circle> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level2 lfo2;tab-stops:list 1.0in'>Breakfast between 11 am and 12 pm</li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level2 lfo2;tab-stops:list 1.0in'>Dinner between 3 and 4 pm</li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level2 lfo2;tab-stops:list 1.0in'>Small meal between 9 and 10 pm (optional)</li> </ul> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.75in'>[if !supportEmptyParas] [endif]</p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .5in'>Dinner is served on a low table with decorated pillows for the guests to sit on.</li> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>[if !supportEmptyParas] [endif]</p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .5in'>Foods</li> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=circle> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level2 lfo2;tab-stops:list 1.0in'>Lamb and chicken are favorite meats</li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level2 lfo2;tab-stops:list 1.0in'>Rice is a staple starch</li> </ul> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.75in'>[if !supportEmptyParas] [endif]</p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .5in'>Spoons are used with meals</li> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>[if !supportEmptyParas] [endif]</p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .5in'>Do not start eating until everyone is served (international)</li> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal>[if !supportEmptyParas] [endif]</p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .5in'>Eat what is offered</li> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>[if !supportEmptyParas] [endif]</p> <p class=MsoNormal><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>General Information</b></p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=circle> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;tab-stops:list .5in'>Friendship comes before business (2-3 days before business occurs)</li> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>[if !supportEmptyParas] [endif]</p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=circle> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;tab-stops:list .5in'>The African culture is very family oriented</li> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal>[if !supportEmptyParas] [endif]</p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=circle> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;tab-stops:list .5in'>Some areas are punctual, some are not at all. (1 hour late)</li> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal>[if !supportEmptyParas] [endif]</p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=circle> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3;tab-stops:list .5in'>Things are changing</li> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=circle> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level2 lfo3;tab-stops:list 1.0in'>Americanization (utensil usage)</li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level2 lfo3;tab-stops:list 1.0in'>Punctuality</li> </ul> </ul> <p class=MsoNormal>[if !supportEmptyParas] [endif]</p> <p class=MsoNormal>Research each country/region before leaving for there.</p> </div> </body>