Intercultural negotiations are common these days—and so are culture clashes. Here’s how to handle the added complexity such talks can bring.

Imagine that you’re the American representative of a U.S. food company, and you’re hoping to procure a new ingredient for several of your products from a German company. A representative from the company is flying in to meet with you. Do you expect your German counterpart to behave differently than the Americans you typically deal with, and if so, how? Will you adapt your negotiating style according to your expectations?

Now imagine instead that your counterpart represents a Chinese company or that your counterpart is from Mexico.