Tue, 10 Jul 2012
The convergence of over 15,000 athletes from 205 countries and hundreds of thousands of spectators at London’s 2012 Olympic Games will not necessarily entail cultural clashes, says global relocation specialists Cartus.

Jo Danehl, a director at the firm in charge of cross-cultural training, says that the key in such a situation is to remember that there is no right or wrong culture, just difference, which applies equally when relocating staff around the world.She acknowledges that "global interactions are complex and the list of cultural do's and don'ts can seem endless”, and has put together five tips for those travelling to the Olympics, which are applicable to staff moving from country to country:

1. Remember the British stiff upper lip: “Though British nationals can sometimes come across as a bit dour, they aren't necessarily so.”
2. Let your greeter take the lead as to whether or not you kiss when meeting someone.
3. Beware that smiling might not always be perceived as friendly and polite: “As with all cultural interactions, look to the context for cues on how to respond appropriately.”
4. Remember that “some cultures tend to be coconut-like with their tough exteriors”, and others “are more peach-like, with a seemingly softer exterior”.
5. Food and the ritual of eating has a broad number of interpretations across cultures: “For some cultures, the concept of 'fast food' is, well, foreign. A meal is a time to build relationships, not just share food.”