The ABCs Of International Business Etiquette
When planning a business trip, it’s not just a matter of booking accommodation and offsite airport parking. You also need to think about what you’re going to do when you get to your destination. Every country has different customs, so what works well in one might be totally out of the question in another. To do the business, you will need to think about the ABCs. Here they are:
Do you know the ABCs of international business etiquette?
Appearance
This is one of the most important. Appearance includes items such as your clothing, body language and gestures. For example, it’s important to know whether your new business colleagues will expect you to dress conservatively, formally or at the height of fashion. If you’re in Italy, for example, wearing unfashionable clothes may affect the way you are perceived. Western women doing business in the United Arab Emirates may need to dress more modestly than if they were at home. Watch out for gestures – it is easy to cause offence if you use the wrong ones.
Behavior
Behavior covers a wide range of areas, including how meetings are run, protocol, negotiating with others, dining and giving gifts. For example, personal space requirements vary from place to place – and even within the same country. One analysis of the behavior of English and French speaking Canadians suggest that Francophone Canadians require less personal space. Punctuality is another issue – if you book a meeting in England, know that people will expect you to turn up on time, or even a little early. In the UAE, crossing your legs to show the soles of your feet is considered offensive.
Communication
Even casual conversation holds pitfalls for the unwary. In the UK, someone who has been knighted is referred to by title and first name in conversation, for example, Sir James. In the UAE, don’t discuss women. In some countries, such as Japan, speakers prefer not to use the word ‘no’, which means that sometimes yes may actually mean no – and it’s not the only place where that happens. In India, it’s considered more polite to say ‘I’ll try’ than to give an outright refusal.
This is just a snapshot of some of the areas to look out for. This site has a good quick reference guide, with links to further information on business etiquette. And if you’re staying at home but still wondering about business behavior. check out More Than Just Eating With The Right Fork or take this fun quiz.
March 24th, 2009 at 4:11 am
[...] offend someone by wearing inappropriate clothing or making the wrong gesture. Check out our post on business etiquette for more [...]
September 7th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Thanks for a fun and interesting post. We normally encounter people and clients from all over the globe. Developing an understanding of other people and cultures can make a big difference in successful outcomes for everyone.