In addition to East Central Europe, From Da to Yes covers the Baltic states, Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine. Richmond's counsel is so telling, it is hoped that many readers will become motivated to order From Da to Yes for themselves. I. Tips on Crossing Cultures Language is often indirect and imprecise, and purposely so. Watch for allusions and hidden meanings, and listen to what is not said as well as what is said.
Understatement is usually the rule.
East Europeans consider it impolite to say no directly. When using an interpreter, speak slowly, avoid complicated words, repeat important ideas in a slightly different fashion to make sure you are getting through, and look at the person being addressed, not the interpreter. English, the language of choice, is becoming the lingua franca of Eastern Europe, the language Balts use to talk with Bosnians. Older people are more likely to know German or French. And all of them will have studied Russian, although in most countries they are reluctant to speak it.