Matthew , do you know much about body language in countries around the world ?   Sure , I've picked up a few things from travelling around for work . Why ?   Well , I had a meeting today with a woman from Japan and she wouldn't stop bowing ! I didn't know what to do !   Did you bow back ?   No , I tried to shake her hand , but her hand was so limp I was a bit offended .   Well , Japanese businessmen and women typically bow to greet each other in Japan . She might have been offended by your strong handshake .   But she was in America ! Shouldn't she have known that strong handshakes in America signify confidence and respect ?   Things are different in Japan . You know , in some countries , making eye contact with others is considered rude .   Is that why she wouldn ’ t look at me in the meeting ?   I think it's highly possible , yes .   The meeting really didn ’ t go down well at all . I think I need to read up about intercultural communication before I have another meeting with someone from another country .   That's a good idea . When you don ’ t know much about other cultures , the simplest thing can offend someone . 