Mark this year as the year to build better relationships with your new colleagues and friends from across the globe. As more international mergers hit the news and governments begin to solicit private businesses for services, more opportunities to interact with people from different cultures will surface this year.

      "Unlike the 'American' way of doing business, many cultures focus on the importance of the relationship instead of who has the lowest bid or what the contract states," says Dean Foster, managing director of Berlitz Cross-Cultural Worldwide.

      To improve your communication skills with your new colleagues in 1999, Foster offers six general tips which you can apply anywhere, anytime -- regardless of your acquaintances -- cultural background.

--Count on the Three Traditional Taboos (Sex, Religion, and Politics) to be brought up during most social occasions. Depending upon the cultures involved, these taboos may be referred to with more or less frequency. When this occurs, take the position of either teacher or student.

-- When asked (or tempted to volunteer) your thoughts and feelings about your colleague's country, do not opine. Instead, ask questions and seek information about what you don't fully understand. Most people will be more than happy to share their thoughts about their country, and you can learn a lot from them. Most people, do not appreciate "foreigners" judging their country. You will be told that Americans don't really know much about what is going on outside of their borders.

-- When others volunteer their ideas and questions about America, be a teacher. Speak in the general (not about yourself, but about the country). Note that in some cultures, this questioning can include very personal questions that Americans find intrusive and embarrassing, i.e. "How much do you make?", "Are you married?" "Why not?" "How many boys do you have?"

Again, the best way to handle these questions is to keep to the general, with answers like "Not enough to pay my mortgage -- you see in America, a house can cost $$$," "In the U.S., many people do not marry," "Not sure ... it's complicated," "Only a daughter," etc. Treat personal questions as what they are -- benign requests for more information about life in the U.S.

-- Do not talk business during social situations unless "they" bring it up first. Talking about the family in general is usually okay, as long as it's about the family and family background, and not an inquiry about one's spouse. Talking about kids is safe, and it's a good idea to take photos of your family along.

-- Be careful of admiring personal things or people. Although rather personal comments about you and your possessions may be made, don't let it bother you. It is usually a sign that your host is comfortable enough to "get personal." Take it as a compliment. Be wary of admiring things, too, unless you want that item delivered to your doorstep the next day. Try complimenting things in the general -- i.e. "Vases that beautiful can be found in museums in the U.S.," not "I really love that vase over there." Guest/host relationship protocols often obligate your host to give you something you gush over.

-- Americans tend to talk about what they do. People from other cultures want to know more about who you are. Avoid jumping into statements and questions about your work; instead, seek to learn more about the personality, background, and interests of your foreign associates, and to reveal your own.