Good Morning, Buenos Días or Zăo Ān: Exploring Business Etiquette Around the World

Laura Núñez Patel

Fluor Process Engineer from Dublin, CA

Georgia Tech M.S. ChE ‘08

USA

Greetings– Good morning, How are you?

See you tomorrow, Goodnight– Firm handshakes

Dress Code– Business casual common

Talking to superiors– First names common

Corporate Culture– Informal– Direct Communication

• (except for requests/feedback)– Positive enthusiasm

Mexico

Greetings– Buen día, Buen provecho

Que descanses– Single kiss on right cheek

Dress Code– Formal common, fashionable

Talking to Superiors– Use formal Spanish “Usted” – Use titles Ingeniero/a, Licenciado/a, Doctor/a

• last name optional

Corporate Culture– Build long-term relationships– Long late lunches, long working hours– Indirect and Expressive Communication

China

Greetings– Zăo Ān , Zài Jiàn– Business card exchange important

Dress Code– Formal common

Talking to Superiors– Use Nín instead of Nĭ– Use title

Corporate Culture– Hierarchy very important– Do not cause others to lose face, hide anger– Build long-term relationships, personal network– Indirect Communication

India

Greetings– Good morning, Good afternoon, Good evening– Handshake optional (right hand only!)

Dress Code– Conservative casual or Indian dresses

• salwar kameez and saree

Talking to Superiors– Use appropriate vocabulary in Hindi– Address seniors as “Sir”, “Mr./Mrs./Dr.”

Corporate Culture– Hierarchy important

• Personally entertain high ranking visitors– Education valued– Indirect Communication

Lessons Learned

First impressions are important

Do your research before going

Enjoy the cultural differences

Resources

Friends and Family

Building Effective Business Relationships in China by Roy Y. J. Chua, 2012.

International Business: A Basic Guide for Women by Tracey Wilen, 2000.

Behave Yourself! The Essential Guide to International Etiquette by Michael Powell, 2005.

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