Sharon Weinberg writes on Wired:

A 2003′s "Soldier’s Guide to the Republic of Iraq," issued by the Army on the eve of the U.S. invasion, tells troops that Arabs see "little virtue in a frank exchange" and are "by American standards… reluctant to accept responsibility."

Those are just a few of the surprising passages found while leafing through the booklet, prepared by the Army’s 101st Airborne Division.  Here are some excerpts from the "cultural considerations" chapter:

•There is little virtue in a frank exchange.
Getting down to business may always occur at a later meeting or a more informal setting such as dinner.

•Arabs, by American standards, are reluctant to accept responsibility…
if responsibility is accepted and something goes wrong, the Arab is dishonored. 

•Arabs operate by personal relations more than by time constraints.
Arabs, by American standards, are reluctant to accept responsibility.

•Arabs do not believe in upward mobility or social status;
they gain status by being born in the right family.

•Arabs do not shake hands firmly.
If an Arab does not touch you, it usually means that he does not like you.

•It is said that the Arab likes to feel your breath in their face.
As you back away, the Arab will continue to shuffle forward. This is known as the "diplomatic shuffle."

•An Arab sees friendships with anyone outside the family as meaning,
"you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours."
 

I imagine that if Arabs published a guide called "How Americans Tick," it would include these truisms penned by Americans:

From Stephanie Faul’s "The Xenophobe’s Guide to the Americans":

•Friends without friendship
Americans are friendly… However… a few happy moments with an American do not translate into a permanent commitment of any kind. Indeed, permanent commitments are what Americans fear the most. This is a nation whose fundamental social relationship is the casual acquaintance.

•Americans shoot from the lip
American speech is remarkably straightforward. They tell it as it is, even when it’s not a particularly good idea to do so. Linguistic subtlety, innuendo, and irony that other nations find delightful puzzle the Americans, who take all statements at face value, weigh them for accuracy, and reject anything they don’t understand.

•Always aim to win
Winning is central to the American psyche. As American football coach Vince Lombardi put it, ‘Winning isn’t everything. It’s the only thing’. Virtually every event in American life, from school graduation to marriage to buying an automobile, is structured so that one party wins, or at least comes out looking better than any of the other participants

From "Working with Americans" (the book and the website) by Allyson Stewart-Allen and Lanie Denslow:

•We Are The World
The attitude towards non-American ways of doing business is generally intolerant.
…There’s generally a very insular view of business in the US. Often the view is there are the Americas (called so recently now due to NAFTA’s influence), and the "Rest Of the World" (R.O.W.)  Don’t be surprised if your US based colleague doesn’t know about the key issues in your city.

•My Way or the Highway
 Consistent with the certainty that everyone is created equal, they view people as special, unique and entitled to ‘express themselves’. Whether it is structuring the hours they work, ordering coffee, or a pair of jeans Americans are independent. They want choices and to have their opinions recognized.

•Hip, Hip, Hooray for Our Team!
Americans in business work to create a team spirit around a clear and defined purpose (like planning or product launches)… The idea that all people should have the same opportunity is a key to the American’s idea that no one (customer, supplier) should get preferential treatment. US companies are shocked by offers of bribes or kickbacks since that would be rigging the rules of the game, and the rules should be the same for and apply to everyone.

•Hi There, Glad to Meet You, What’s the Bottom Line?
Americans simply believe that creating relationships will wait.
…Communication is direct and to the point. Notoriously informal, Americans never intend to insult. They focus on moving quickly, completing tasks, getting results, often neglecting the personal aspect of business. Americans love memos, agendas, numbers (sales, market
share), and data. Facts not feelings.

•Business before Pleasure
The first priority in business is the deal at hand, not the relationship with you . Americans focus first on selling the contract, signing the Proposal and then invest in learning more about you so don’t take it personally. When the pleasantries are skipped at the start of your meeting, and you’re not even offered a cup of coffee, you’ll know why cause it’s a "deal thing." This experience can be quite startling if you’ve met your American counterparts before and been charmed by their informal and friendly greetings, only to see them appear to vanish.

Apparently open and welcoming, they can also be private and cool. Here again, the rule of the clock, the busy life, and the adherence to schedule can negate the early welcome. Just remember, no rudeness is intended, Americans don’t know they may appear rude!

•The Clock is King
Americans tend to live by the clock and the calendar. They are certain that time is a scare resource to be used carefully, divided, allotted to specific activities.    

•You Look Marvelous
The Package tells the story (in people and products). There is a tendency in the States to initially focus on only the cosmetic aspects of a deal, (a person) rather than the content presented. How slick and professional was the presentation? Did the team look good? Were they dressed right? In a land where books are written about the Brand Called You, marketing and packaging are seriously important. 

•New IS Improved.
…If it’s new, it’s great. Unlike many European cultures that are suspicious of people who suggest new is better; Americans generally embrace newness of all descriptions, brands, buildings, and services. It suggests to us that the newer service, technology, idea must be better than the older one believing the Darwinian theory says the weakest will die out. A country founded on breaking away from established rules, institutions and traditions, the preference for NEW is deeply imbedded in the American psyche.

•Follow the Guides
Americans use outside advisers as a regular part of our business life. You’ll find a variety of consultants, accountants, lawyers, and executive coaches.

•Plan, Plan, Plan till your Daddy takes your PC away
Americans now seem more determined than ever, in the wake of September 11, 2001 to try to plan for and predict all eventualities. They believe that by planning for something, youÕre prepared and can act quickly and profitably to either exploit a commercial opportunity, or avoid a risk. The drive to plan, organize is related to both the Go For It! Attitude and the Rule of the Clock. There isn’t much time and there are lots of goals to accomplish. To do that, create a plan!