[originaltext]Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the third in o

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the third in our series of business seminars in the program “Doing Business Abroad”. Today, we are going to look at intercultural awareness that is the fact about everyone in British. Not everyone speaks English and not everyone does business in a British way. And why should they? ［19］ If overseas business people are selling to us, then they will make every effort to speak English and to respect our traditions and methods. It is only polite for us to do the same, when we visit them. It is not only polite, it is essential, if we want to sell British products overseas.
First, a short quiz. Let’s see how interculturally aware you are.
Question 1: Where must you not drink alcohol on the first and seventh of every month?
Question 2: Where should you never admire your host’s possessions?
Question 3: How should you attract the waiter during a business lunch in Bangkok?
And question 4: Where should you try to make all your appointments either before 2：00 or after 5：30 p.m.
OK, everyone has a chance to make some notes. Right, here are the answers. Although I am sure that the information could equally well apply to countries other than those I have chosen. So, (1) ［20］ you must not drink alcohol on the first and seventh of the month in India. In international hotels, you may find it served, but if you are having a meal with an Indian colleague, remember to avoid asking for a beer if your arrival coincides with one of those dates.(2) In Arab countries, the politeness and generosity of the people is without parallel. If you admire your colleague’s beautiful golden bowls, you may well find yourself being presented with them as a present. This is not a cheap way to do your shopping, however, as your host will quite correctly expect you to respond by presenting him with a gift of equal worth and beauty. In Thailand, clicking the fingers, clapping your hands, or just shouting “waiter”, will embarrass your hosts, fellow diners, the waiter himself, and most of all, you. Place your palm downward, and make an inconspicuous way of gesture, which will produce instant and satisfying result. ［21］ And finally, in Spain, some businesses maintain the pattern of working until about 2：00 and then returning to the office from 5：30 to 8：00, 9：00 or 10：00 in the evening.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the recording you have just heard.
19.What should you do when doing business with foreigners?
20.What must you avoid doing with your Indian colleague?
21.What do we learn about some Spanish business people?