7. Pakistanis (largely Muslims) greet with salaam, which is equivalent of our "hello." The salaam is done by bowing with palm of right hand on forehead. Salaam means "peace" or "Peace be with you."

8. Postures also have meaning. Ready to settle in with your Middle Eastern client? You may be most comfortable sitting back in your chair and crossing your legs. Well, don't! In Middle East, one of most insulting things you can do is sit with your legs crossed so bottoms of feet are pointed in other person's direction. The foot is dirtiest part of body and sole of shoe is dirtiest of low. To show someone bottom of your foot or shoe means you're looking for a fight!

9. Even handshaking cultures do it differently. Many Britian’s prefer a brief but firm handshake. The French prefer a light grip while sharing a single gentle shake that's quickly withdrawn. Germans will give a very firm handshake -- just one "pump" then quick withdrawal. More than one shake with Germans or French is considered aggressive. Italians will shake hands and then hug friends or kiss them on both cheeks.

10. Bear in mind other person may be trying to accommodate your culture, so don't assume they will use their traditional greeting. For example, if you start first, for instance bowing, and then see a hand extended for a shake, and switch to that, other person will then have switched to a bow and this becomes awkward. For many cultures such "awkwardness" will kill relationship early on, which means deal is off.

11. Greetings are critical first moves in relationships. Begin with a polite word or two, such as "Mr. and Mrs. Takida, it's so nice to meet you at last," and then hesitate for a moment to see what they want to do and are comfortable with. Then mirror their gesture, be it bow, hand shake, abrazo (hug) or nothing! Use your intuition! When in doubt, err on side of conservatism.

I look forward to day when we abandon our collective need for safety through homogeneity and reclaim our natural curiosity about what is not like us. We then will no longer need to "manage" diversity, and will have no need other than to engage it and open ourselves to receive its gifts.