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ABA Section of International Law, 2018
Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: Courtrooms to Corporate Counsels is a practical resource for environmental lawyers, academics, and students working or studying abroad. It's a concise, throw-in-your-briefcase or stuff-in-your-back pocket guide that serves up useful tips and insights on cultural norms, customs, and acceptable social behavior in many countries. Author Terri Morison notes that "[t]imes change. Cultures, however, are remarkedly static." Hence, she asserts that "[d]iscerning how cultures perceive and express truth differently around the world is one reason you need this book." Point taken!
The first part of Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands covers intercultural topics, including several chapters on first impressions. For example, at that first critical introduction, just how close is too close to stand, or too far? Morrison explains that while we are all "territorial creatures" with preferences regarding personal space, differences in preferred proximity can vary significantly across cultures (Brazilians prefer greetings at 1 to 1.5 feet, Americans prefer 2 to 2.5 feet, while Chinese prefer at least 2.5 to 3 feet of distance). Accordingly, she explains:
To many US citizens, Latin Americans seem to stand closer than normal. And in the Middle East, male friends may hold hands when walking together...