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This powerful quote by American lawyer and Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Clarence Thomas exemplifies the critical nature of teaching children good manners from a young age. How soon is too soon to start? Many people make the mistake of waiting until their children are school aged to begin focusing on etiquette and manners, but there is a vast body of research to suggest that the sooner children are exposed to the notion of appropriate behaviors and good manners, the better.

It’s common knowledge that the way children are treated when they’re young will reflect in their interactions with others for the rest of their lives; if a child is treated with kindness, love, respect, and empathy, they will interact with others in the same way because socialization is a learned behavior. Even though it seems like an extremely young age to teach children anything, a lot can be learned between birth and twelve months and this will set a solid foundation to build on later.

The Arab World consists of 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa which all boast rich histories that are steeped in traditions and long held values. Although there has been more Western influence in recent decades, it is still largely a world of its own, but if you want to get to know a country or culture intimately, what better way than through food!? Dining in the Arab World is a communal bonding process but it’s crucial to know that some behaviors and practices are different than what you would expect in the West, especially when it comes to dining etiquette. Let’s take a look at what you can expect when dining in the Arab World so you can make a good impression when you’re invited!

Whether you are dining at a restaurant or at home, you should never presume to seat yourself because everyone will have a predetermined place at the table. Generally, the most honored person, usually the host or eldest male, will be seated at the middle of the table with the second most honored person to be seated next to them. The person in the middle will usually be flanked on either side by other honored guests or prominent family members in descending order of importance with the least important person sitting farthest from the middle or the ends of the table often closest to the door. You should also be prepared that in some more traditional homes, you might be asked to sit on a carpet on the floor at a very low table.

Going for a job interview can be overwhelming, especially if you really want the role in question. The most important thing is that you are prepared and present yourself well. To help out, take a look at our top tips below.

Your interview outfit should be smarter and more professional than you would usually wear when working in the job. For example, if you would usually wear a shirt and trousers, a whole suit would be appropriate for an interview. If you are unsure, it is best to be formal, with a suit, or blouse and skirt for the ladies. Shoes should be clean, polished and close-toed, while the shades of your outfit should be kept plain and professional. Avoid bright colours or patterns and instead stick to blacks, greys, whites and navy blue. Do not wear clothing that is too revealing or that distracts from your interview. Ensure that your hair is neat and tidy, any facial hair is neatly trimmed, and makeup and perfume are kept to a minimum so as not to be distracting.

Every country has its own set of etiquette rules, the same goes for South Africa. And this country has its own uniqueness since it’s considered as one of the world’s multicultural nations, hence it’s called “The Rainbow Nation.”

Those interested to do business in South Africa needs to understand how these cultures come together and how they affect the way people are doing business in this country.

Saudi Arabia is the 13th biggest country in the world and the largest within the Middle East. It is bordered by a number of different nations, including Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Yemen and the UAE.

It is a rich nation, partially due to its abundance of oil. However, it also has a number of other natural resources such as gold, silver, zinc, manganese, iron, tungsten, copper and lead. It has a growing agricultural sector and is one of the largest producers of dates. The country relies on imports of chemicals, equipment and machinery, vehicles, textiles and some food.