I TOOK A YEAR OUT, DO DIFFERENT THINGS AND GAVE MYSELF A BREATHING...

35. I took a year out, do different things and gave myself a breathing space. A B C DIV.READINGIn Japan, politeness and good manners are very important and business meetings are very formal.Business cards are also important and they (36)_____ these at the beginning of a meeting. They alwayslook at them carefully, so you should do the same as they might think you’re rude if you don’t. A lot ofcommunication is non-verbal. They are very good listeners and may ask a lot of questions to (37)_____ theyunderstand everything. In a conversation they wait longer before they reply than westerners do, so it’simportant (38)_____ speak in those long pauses but to wait for their reply. In their culture it’s rude to ask directquestions or to say “No” or “I disagree”. In business it takes a long time to (39)_____ a decision because theyhave to ask everyone in the company. When they say “Yes” it may mean “I understand”, not “I agree”, andwhen they smile it might be because they don’t know (40)_____ to say.