Traveling to all corners of the world gets easier and easier, but how well do we know and (1)u______ each other? Here is a simple test. Imagine you will hold a (2)m______ at four oclock, what time should you (3)e______ your foreign business friends to come? If they are German, they will (4)a_______ on time. If they are American, theyll probably be fifteen minutes early. If they are British, theyll be fifteen minutes late.
The British seemed to think since the English (5)l________ was widely used in the world, what they did was certain to be widely understood. Very soon they (6)f________ they were completely wrong. For (7)e_______, the British are happy to have a business lunch and discuss business matters with a drink during the meal; the Japanese (8)p_______ not to work while eating. Lunch is a time for them to relax and get to know (9)e______ other, and they dont drink at lunch. The Germans like to talk business (10)b_______ dinner; the French like to eat first and talk afterwards. They have to be well fed and watered before they discuss anything.