International Considerations

Keep messages short, but do not let meaning suffer.

Niceties are okay, to a point, but don't overdo it. They waste space and reading time for your correspondent. Furthermore, they are usually idiomatic and difficult to understand by someone not absolutely fluent in your language. As mentioned above, people in many countries find the friendly nature of Americans over-bearing at first encounter, so, be courteous but go easy with the courtesies.

Short, plain sentences are easier for someone reading in a language other than their mother tongue. In some parts of the world, the written language is very formal and quite different from the spoken language. Therefore, there is an expectation that your written communication will be formal. For international business e-mail, err on the side of caution and write in a formal tone. It's easy and natural to progress from formal to friendly, but it weakens your position to have to step backwards from friendly to formal.

Regarding age and rank, outside America, people in authority and older people expect a certain deference from people who approach them.

Don't spam. Don't send long junk. In North America, freedom is your highest ideal: in most other parts of the world privacy is held in higher regard!