American and European cultures differ in many ways. They differ so much that many countries in Europe are often offended by American customs. This comes from lack of understanding of cultural differences. The problem with Americans is that they think their way of living is the only way to live because they feel their ways are logical and work well. It is because of this they resist adaptation to other cultures ways of being, and many times offend those of other cultures.
             The French considered the American way of eating salad before the main course at dinner barbaric. The French used to eat their salad after the main course. Now the salad has disappeared from the menu in a country where at one time it was a fixture after the main course. The French do not understand why Americans eat the way they do, and they consider it very ill mannered. The French can be quite embarrassed with the way Americans switch the fork between hands, because it is considered that way of eating is the way of a peasant. The French are very formal and are often embarrassed by American informality. They do not like American chummy handshakes, and are frightened when they hear "I know all about you" and "I have heard all about you". The French rarely use first names even amongst colleagues. They also do not like how Americans always want to get down to business. The French like to get to know their business partners and maybe offended by the way Americans start business.
             Getting down to business the way American do, does not work in France, nor does it work in Spain. Spaniards may be shocked if there are talks of business and paperwork before a meal. Unlike the Americans and like the French, Spaniards like to know and like who they are doing business with. For the Spaniards, lunch is a big part of doing business and may last up to five hours. Talks of business do not even begin until after drinks and cigars. A good appetite is alwa
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