Writeacher, is this better?
Greetings and Gestures
Culture plays a large role on how individuals communicate with one another, including how they express themselves. There are various ways of communication such as through speaking, sign language, or body movement. Although most cultures might share the same basic emotions, the different forms of communication may vary from culture to culture, especially when it comes to greetings and gestures. So what would the polite thing to do if an American was greeted by a foreigner? Kiss? Bow? Shake hands? Would it matter who is in whose country? Does it make a difference? Because first impression is most important when first meeting someone, it is imperative be able to handle situations correctly by knowing what to do, as some people might take it offensively or take it personally for disrespecting them even though it was good intentions. "While some greetings and gestures may be appropriate in one culture, it may not be so in another, which is why it is important to be aware of cultural differences to avoid any misunderstanding.
Much MUCH better!!
Now one last thing -- make sure all those instances of "it" are clarified.
"...by knowing what to do, as some people might take it offensively or take it personally for disrespecting them even though it was good intentions."
??
Can I say:
Because first impression is most important when first meeting someone, it is imperative be able to handle situations correctly by knowing what to do, as some people might take it offensively or take it personally by disrespecting them with a hug, even though it was good intentions.
Because first impressions are most important when first<~~delete that word; it's repetitive meeting someone, it is imperative be able to handle situations correctly by knowing what to do. A person from Japan, for example, might take offense or as a sign of disrespect if he is greeted with a hug, even though the hug was given with good intentions.
Get those instances of "it" out of there!
Sorry -- this is awkward phrasing:
or as a sign of disrespect
Those words should just be deleted.
How does this sound?
Culture plays a large role on how individuals communicate with one another, including how they express themselves. There are various ways of communication such as through speaking, sign language, or body movement. Although most cultures might share the same basic emotions, the different forms of communication may vary from culture to culture, especially when it comes to greetings and gestures. So what would the polite thing to do if an American was greeted by a foreigner? Kiss? Bow? Shake hands? Would it matter who is in whose country? Does it make a difference? Because first impressions are most important, it is imperative to be able to handle situations correctly by knowing what to do. A person from Japan, for example, might take offense if he is greeted with a hug, even though the hug was given with good intentions. "While some greetings and gestures may be appropriate in one culture, it may not be so in another, which is why it is important to be aware of cultural differences to avoid any misunderstanding.
"if an American was greeted"
should be if an American were greeted>/i>
Otherwise, it sounds fine! =)