Most people want to be polite and behave well around others. Being polite involves good manners of eating and appropriate ways of greeting and talking to people, and giving and receiving gifts. Polite behaviours may differ from culture to culture.

 In the United States, people prefer to shake hands firmly for a few seconds. In some Middle Eastern countries, people hold each other's hands gently for a longer time. What about eye contact? In some countries, you show respect when you look someone directly in the eyes. In other parts of the world, to look at someone directly is rude. Another difference is personal space. In North America, people usually stand about an arm's length apart during a conversation. However, in Latin America, people seem to stand closer.

If you are going to live, work, or study in another country, you should learn about its culture, in this way, you can be polite and make a good impression. Politeness can be good for making friends and doing business as well.

(Adapted from Skills for Success by McVeigh and Bixby)

What is the passage mainly about?