Before meeting business partners and fellow professional from other countries,
you could find out about their country:

Ø        The actual political situation
Ø        Cultural and regional differences
Ø        Religions
Ø        The role of women in business and society as a whole.
Ø        Transportation and telecommunications systems.
Ø        The economy
Ø        The main companies
Ø        The main exports and imports
Ø        The market for the business sector which interest you
Ø        Competitors


You might also want to find out:
Ø        Which topics are safe for small talk
Ø        Which topic are best avoided



If you are going to visit another country, find out about:
Ø        The conversation regarding socializing
Ø        Attitudes towards gifts
Ø        The extent to which public, business and private lives are are mixed or
           kept separate.
Ø        Conventions regarding food and drink.


You might also like to find out about:

Ø        The weather at the relevant time of the year
Ø        Public holidays
Ø        The conventions regarding working hours
Ø        Leisure interest
Ø        Tourism
Ø        Dress
Ø        Body language
Ø        Language.

Drill: Practice keeping the conversation going using any topics above.