I think it was hung on the wall as a joke because all those corporate posters were just coming into vogue. You know the ones, with a beutiful picture framed in black with some corporate-speak slogan in white letters.

The advice of this article will hinder the advancement and assimillation of foreign born workers instead of helping their prospective managers prepare them for advancement.

My neighbors are from Nepal, one is a Wall street analyst, the other a scientist. The analyst was featured in a Forbes Magazine article for his prowess and insight. The scientist, accepted into a prestigious post graduate program. Do you think they reached those levels of success because managers in their previous jobs tried to understand them from a cultural perspective or because my neighbors worked hard to assimillate into their environment?

My neighbors still keep their cultural identity and customs, I am often invited to join in their celebrations - which are wonderful - but outside the home they adapt to the American way of life and business- and they appreciate the opportunities afforded them in this country. My scientist friend speaks fondly of a mentor - a white American retired military man turned professor - who had a profound influence on her during her undergraduate career.

Likewise, if I were to do business in a foreign country, I would prepare myself by learning at least the basics of that country’s business customs. If I were to be offended along the way because I wasn’t prepared - so be it.

Let’s get real. Help our foreign born friends in business succeed and not hinder them by bowing to the alter of “cultural differences”.

Did you know that in Bulgaria the negative head motion means “yes”? So if you are traveling there and offer a candy to a friend’s kid, be aware that the kid WANTS the candy despite his/her “no” head motion!