We all act more civilized for company.

Oh, when we’re alone, we’ll put our feet on the furniture and scratch ourselves indiscriminately. But when guests arrive, we dutifully keep our feet on the ground and our hands where they can be seen.

This same principle applies to doing business with people from other countries. While we may feel comfortable cracking jokes and acting casual with American colleagues, we have to clean up our act for foreign visitors.

Even if you’ve never traveled beyond Interstate 465, it’s pretty likely that one day, your job will bring you into contact with non-Americans. And if you don’t respect their native customs, you may cost your company business — and yourself a job.

As the founder and director of the Protocol School of Indianapolis, Beverly Randolph-Engebretsen is well-schooled in the ways of international etiquette. If you think you can just wing it when hosting a non-American client or prospect, she has news for you. “You are not the only game in town,” she cautioned.

While Randolph-Engebretsen recommends in-depth learning of non-native clients’ cultures and customs, she offers these pointers for meeting people from countries whose citizens regularly do business in America:

Japan “Always show respect to the most senior person first. The Western-educated younger Japanese will shake hands and make eye contact. But be prepared — older Japanese may avoid direct eye contact, considering it rude.”

Mexico “Mexican men shake hands when meeting, but women will often pat each other on the right arm or shoulder instead. Also, titles are very important in Mexico. Learn the correct way to address your counterpart.”

Arab countries “Arab men may accompany a longer handshake with an embrace and kisses on both cheeks. Follow your host’s lead.”

And while you should acknowledge a visitor’s customs during in-person meetings, Randolph-Engebrestsen suggests being extra careful when sending e-mails. “Think of how Americans misperceive e-mail communications in our own language,” she said. “When in doubt, it’s best to telephone or conduct a conference call.”

And some things are just common sense: “As our mothers would tell us, money, religion and politics are taboo subjects among fellow Americans and those abroad.”