19) Avoid Harsh Critiques
Articles about business etiquette in America frequently reference how informal workplaces in the U.S. are – particularly when it comes to interactions with bosses. “In a discussion with Americans, when they say, ‘I wonder if this is really the best solution?’ they mean ‘no,'” one German website warned. “If they say ‘I’m wondering if we might need more time,’ they mean ‘no’ … Americans get confused (or just plain mad) if a German boss answers statements with ‘No,’ ‘That’s good,’ [or] ‘Just go ahead.'”