On a rational level, we know that every country, its people and culture are different, but somewhere deep inside we want them to be the same as us, to act and work in the same way.
This is especially the case when we are doing business, investing or banking on the international level. That necessarily means that we will have to communicate and collaborate with all those people of different nationalities and backgrounds and come to agreements, sometimes about really serious matters.
That's why it's best to get acquainted with those countries, their customs and way of life, as well as the extent to which they're open to foreigners and other cultures, in order to have the best results.