Business Etiquette in Cross-cultural settings

Imagine walking into your local supermarket, perhaps Asda, Aldi or Carrefour and finding cages of chickens squawking in the aisle, or fresh lobsters and turtles swimming in tanks. You might think you are in the pet department. But the company that owns Asda is Walmart, and in expanding into China they found that the local population expect their fresh food to be alive when purchased. This is a good example of how practices may be different from country to country.

Cross-cultural Etiquette

This useful video will guide you through making introductions correctly http://goo.gl/3yFul

Etiquette Issues – Introductions

This useful video will guide you through presenting a business card correctly especially in Asia http://goo.gl/6Uyjp

Etiquette Issues – Business Cards

http://goo.gl/3yFulhttp://goo.gl/3yFul

This useful video will guide you through differences in the meanings of commonly used gestures around the world http://goo.gl/g6isX

Etiquette Issues – Gestures

• In much of Europe business is kept separate from socialising but in Africa and the Middle East business and social life are often seen as linked

• In the USA many hotels do not have a 13th floor or rooms numbered 13

• In Japan the numbers 4 and 9 might be missed on airline seats

• In China the colour red is considered to be lucky and in Japan, black is thought to be unlucky.

• Green is a significant colour in Islamic cultures and lucky in the Republic of Ireland

• Some countries employ teenagers to make drinks on demand for more senior employees, in other settings this might be seen as exploitation

• In Japan business cards are an important part of the meeting and greeting process, they should be handed over with both hand, accompanied by a bow. Cards should be put carefully in a card case, and not written on.

• The weekend is different dependent on country. In Europe Saturday and Sunday are the weekend, but in the Middle East Friday is a day of rest, with Thursday or Saturday increasingly also a day off.

• In some Asian cultures it is usual to refer to senior colleagues as ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’ whereas in Europe first names will be used.

I found watching soap operas [on television] really

helped me understand English

culture

Social Entrepreneur from China in the UK

General Etiquette Issues

Country Specific Etiquette Issues

Business etiquette in China is very different to that in the West. This instructional video offers useful guidelines. http://goo.gl/nAhtJ

Country Specific Etiquette Issues

Business etiquette in Russia can be very different to that in the West. This instructional podcast offers useful guidelines. http://goo.gl/f6DXO

Country Specific Etiquette Issues

Business etiquette in Japan can be very different to that in the West. This instructional podcast offers useful guidelines. http://goo.gl/b865S

Country Specific Etiquette Issues

Business etiquette in Mexico can be very different to that in the USA or Europe. This instructional podcast offers useful guidelines. http://goo.gl/x7107

Country Specific Etiquette Issues

Business etiquette in India can be very different to that in the USA or Europe. This instructional video offers useful guidelines. http://goo.gl/EOdj4

• You should always check the country-specific information. European Commission’s web portal Your Europe, your opportunity - Practical guide to doing business in Europe provides country-specific information and links to Points of Single Contact in each EU country.

• For other countries there is excellent information available on:

• Quintessential International Etiquette Guide http://goo.gl/MMND

Getting Business Etiquette Right

© Sainath Chillapuram in Stockvault.net

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