New ReviewDid you know that business meetings in Japan tend to be more formal than in many other countries? Developing trust is absolutely key. Learn more about specific protocols for business meetings, including when to arrive, appropriate...

New ReviewJapan probably engaged in trade with China and Korea from as early as the third century. In the modern era, trade is increasingly important, especially with a well-crafted economic policy closely administered by the government in...

New ReviewJapanese firms have traditionally tended to be patriarchal, or mainly controlled by men. In Japanese culture, businesspeople often expect their firms to provide trips and entertainment, a practice that builds employee loyalty and...

New ReviewYou may already know that Japanese meetings are extremely important for developing business relationships. In fact, the Japanese develop professional relationships through multiple meetings and socializing. Curious about what exactly is...

New ReviewSouth Africa’s liberal constitution grants all people equal status, regardless of their gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or other characteristics. In practice, though, a large segment of the society is committed to preserving...

New ReviewThe Drakensberg range and the region’s ocean currents contribute to the varied climates found across South Africa. The interior is temperate, with sunny days and cool nights. A subtropical band extends along the east coast, while a much...

New ReviewThe Western Cape is home to Cape Town, the country’s oldest and third-largest city, with a population of 2.5 million. Linked to the world by first-class transportation and communications services, the city is a favorite location for...

New ReviewMexicans have a good sense of humor and a real knack for enjoying life. They love to tease, play language games, and laugh at other people’s mistakes—or ingenuity. Referring to each other by funny nicknames is a playful Mexican custom....

New ReviewEffective nonverbal communication is key to doing business in Mexico—often more important than what you say is how you say it and how you greet your colleagues. Mexicans are very warm and friendly, including in business interactions....

New ReviewDo men and women in Japan still treat each other as they traditionally did in the past? Is the dramatically increasing number of women in the workplace affecting male-female relationships? Are Western influences undermining traditional...

New ReviewBecause Japan is such a long chain of islands from north to south, the climate is different from region to region. Kyushu is hotter in the summer than Tokyo, for instance, but also warmer in the winter. Farther south, Kochi prefecture,...

New ReviewSouth Africa offers a variety of well-stocked stores and malls in the urban centers, which are filled with a wide range of goods from around the world. South Africa has a growing mall culture including places like Sandton City outside of...

New ReviewWhen entertaining friends or business associates in Singapore, whether at home or in a restaurant, it’s very important to take into account any religious dietary restrictions of your guests. Some Muslims, Indian Hindus, and Buddhists,...

New ReviewMexicans are usually warm and gentle toward strangers, including foreigners. They’ll sometimes stare at them, especially if the foreigners don’t look like Americans, whom they’re used to seeing. Curiosity and wonder quickly vanish once...

New ReviewContrary to what you might think, most Mexican food is neither hot nor buried under lots of tomato sauce and melted cheese as it often is outside of Mexico. Explore the wide, rich variety of Mexican cuisine and the common eating habits...

New ReviewSouth Africa is facing acute, primarily financial, problems in delivering high-quality healthcare. Public-sector hospitals, subsidized by the state, serve 80 percent of the population, while the private hospitals serve only 20 percent....

New ReviewWith the country’s natural beauty and temperate climate, it’s obvious why most people in South Africa enjoy the outdoors. Magnificent beaches span the entire eastern coast and the Western Cape, providing a focal point for much of the...

New ReviewA veritable fruit and vegetable basket, South Africa grows an amazing variety of produce on its farms and in its orchards. In addition, the country’s farmers raise cattle, sheep, and other livestock of excellent quality. The deep coastal...

New ReviewSingapore is the cleanest city in Southeast Asia, but it’s also very hot and humid. This climate sometimes causes a few health problems that you should be aware of. Singapore’s hospital facilities and overall medical care services are on...

New ReviewJapan has high health standards, and the food and water are generally safe. You don’t have to worry about outbreaks of epidemics, either, but given the dense living conditions, don’t be surprised if you come down with a cold or the flu.

New ReviewThe country of Singapore has four official languages: English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. Malay is the island’s national or original language. Learn more about the cultural origins of this combination of languages and become acquainted...

New ReviewTremendous strides have been made in education in Mexico over the past century. Today, education is compulsory and school enrollment has been increasing steadily. The majority of the schools in Mexico are public, coed, and nonreligious....

New ReviewThe overwhelming majority of Mexicans—86 percent—are Roman Catholic, and morally and politically, the church is a powerful force. This isn’t to say that all Mexicans attend church regularly. Less than half the people in the large cities...

New ReviewIn Mexico, socioeconomic status, including where a person lives, attends school, shops, and works, is determined in large part by ethnic background. Sadly, for rural Indians, this almost always means living forever in poverty. Only a...