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[ID:8882] Small talk varies widely from culture to culture! Your willingness to smile at a stranger, share personal details with a new acquaintance or laugh at a joke with a colleague is largely dictated by your personal cultural paradigm. Many global cultures have contrasting beliefs when it comes to this type of socialization; and your ability to observe and adapt to these rituals can have a big impact on your long-term career success!

Although each country, region and individual is unique, it’s helpful to understand the two main cultural approaches to...