SBTM August 2015 | Page 17

communication meaning that what is spoken is not always what is meant. Very often, they will not want to disappoint their counterpart so on occasion they will say “yes” to something merely because they do not wish to say “no.” In these cases, body language and intonation must be analyzed to determine what the true answer is. While the ethnic diversity of South Africa can seem daunting, there are actually more similarities with American business culture than differences. As long as you recognize the idiosyncrasies of the culture and display patience and openness, you will have no problem succeeding in South African business. SBT When interacting with South Africans, there are several important aspects to