We all have biases, even if we're unaware of many of them.

But please ....  don't EVER think that a person's level of English is indicative of their intelligence.

Or even worse, that your opinion somehow matters more than that of a non-native English speaker just because your English is better.

"The only thing more dangerous than ignorance is arrogance"
Albert Einstein

Everyone's opinion needs to be heard if we're to make better decisions.

This video explains why some English expressions can be difficult to understand and how to avoid them when talking to international speakers.

So, we suggest that it is sensible to avoid using certain English expressions. But what can we say instead? Here are some ideas to help.

Match these expressions to their plain English meaning:

At the end of this program you can download more expressions to avoid when communicating with international speakers.

So, we suggest that it is sensible to avoid phrasal verbs. But what can we say instead? Here are some ideas to help.

Match these expressions to their plain English meaning:

If we can understand the challenges international speakers face we can focus on what they mean rather than any “mistakes” they make.

• a process
• a technique
• an emotion

The businessman on the left seems unaware that he has committed a major gaffe. As you probably know, in Middle Eastern cultures it is insulting to cross an ankle over a knee and display the sole of the shoe while talking to another person.

Conducting business just became more complicated.

Should we expect other cultures to adopt our customs or are we willing to adopt theirs? 

Certainly, if we wish to succeed it’s incumbent upon us to respect, learn, and understand more about the effective, yet powerful "silent language" of gestures.

How aware are you of cultural differences in body language?

Try this exercise - hold up your main hand to display the number five - do it now.

Now change it to the number two.

If you're Anglo-Saxon, there's a 96% chance you'll be holding up your middle and index fingers.

If you're European, there's a 94% chance you'll be holding up your thumb and index finger.

Europeans start counting with the number one on the thumb, two on the index finger, three on the middle finger, and so on.

Anglo-Saxons count number one on the index finger, two on the middle finger and finish with five on the thumb.

The Chinese use one hand to count to 10.

Some hand gestures can cause problems in different parts of the world. At the end of the programme you can download our comprehensive hand gesture guide.

BLOWING YOUR NOSE

Europeans and Westerners blow their noses into a handkerchief or tissue while Asians spit or snort. Each is appalled by the others' behaviour.

This cultural difference is the result of the spread of tuberculosis in past centuries. In Europe, governments instructed people to blow their nose to avoid further spreading this deadly disease. This is why Westerners react so strongly to spitting - spitting would have spread TB.

If TB had been a problem in Eastern countries, the cultural reaction might have been the same.

Asians believe, correctly, that it is a healthier option to spit but it is a habit that is repulsive to Westerners. This is why business meetings between Westerners and Asians can fail when they've all got a cold.

The Japanese are appalled when someone produces a handkerchief, blows their nose into it and puts it back in their pocket or up their sleeve!

In Asian countries, the English custom of men wearing a handkerchief in their jacket top pocket is the equivalent of dangling a roll of toilet paper, ready for action.

So don't feel upset by an Asian who spits or snorts and never blow your nose in front of a Japanese person.

Use positive words – e.g. good rather than bad - where you can:

• This is not good ✔
• This is bad ✘

A real-life example:

Pablo Díaz, a Mexican executive has worked in China for a Chinese textile company for 15 years.

"In China, the message up front is not necessarily the real message," Díaz said. "My Chinese colleagues would drop hints, and I wouldn't pick them up. Later, when thinking it over, I would realize I had missed something important."

Case in point, this conversation:

Mr. Díaz: It looks like some of us are going to have to be here on Sunday to host the client visit.

Mr. Chen: I see.

Mr. Díaz: Can you join us on Sunday?

Mr. Chen: Yes, I think so.

Mr. Díaz: That would be a great help.

Mr. Chen: Yes, Sunday is an important day.

Mr. Díaz: In what way?

Mr. Chen: It's my daughter's birthday.

Mr. Díaz: How nice. I hope you all enjoy it.

Mr. Chen: Thank you. I appreciate your understanding.

"I was quite certain he had said he was coming," Díaz said. "And Mr. Chen was quite certain he had communicated that he absolutely could not come because he was going to be celebrating his daughter's birthday with his family."