A.

Entertaining Business Clients

1. Lunch and Dinner
SPAIN
Spaniards rarely invite (business) friends to their homes. Instead, they prefer to meet
in a restaurant or a café to get to know a business contact better.
U.S
U.S business partners may invite to go to a restaurant, their home, or some other
public place. Social events often occur casually at homes and in backyards.
Wherever you are invited to, arrive no later than ten minutes past the established
time. Punctuality is important, even for casual and social events.
Because for them, home is a place of hospitality and entertainment.
2. Spouses
SPAIN
In Spain they are more secretive and limited about their personal affairs let alone
those not related to business. It's no wonder that when they have business visits
abroad they don't invite their wives/husbands, but only people who are really related
to that business.
U.S
Whereas in the US it is the opposite in Spain, they seem to be more open about their
personal affairs, it can be seen from the way they are on a business visit abroad.
They tend to invite their partners along when attending business visits or parties that
are still related to their business.
3. Guest
U.S
In the US, guests who come from abroad will be invited to tour in the US and be
shown about various cultures and types of sports that exist in the US there. The
guests who come from abroad will be invited directly to try several sports in the US.
Such as playing golf, playing baseball, playing hockey, and etc.
SPAIN
In Spain, there is a culture that is very popular in the world, especially with the beauty
of its architecture which describes the culture that is spread and that exists in Spain.
This beauty often attracts tourists to visit Spain. Every business guest who comes
and who will work with companies in Spain is invited to tour and be shown about the
beauty of culture, architecture, and scenery in Spain.

B. Gift Giving
U.S
Gifts are not required in business deals. Many companies have strict rules and
regulations about their employees’ receiving gifts. If we choose to give our business
partner a gift, make sure it is not viewed as a bribe. A thank-you note is enough to
show our appreciation. And if we are visiting someone in their home for a business
dinner, a bottle of wine or bouquet of flowers is an acceptable gift to give the host.
SPAIN
Gift giving is not typical in the business culture in Spain. However, people sometimes
offer gifts at the end of a successful negotiation or to say thank you. That said, that
we shouldn’t give an expensive gift or the recipient might view it as a bribe. We
generally can’t go wrong with giving food, drinks, or souvenirs from your home
country. Furthermore, as Spanish people tend to be brand and quality conscious, it is
advisable to offer only high-quality items, preferably of a reputable brand. They
usually open gifts when they receive them too.

C. Greeting and Socializing

U.S
Greeting
In U.S the conversation is informal and friendly, we can start from a handshake to a
simple smile and “hello” will suffice. In America most businessmen and women will let
us call them by their first names. If using titles, call them by their professional title or
if they lack a professional title, use Mr., Mrs., or Ms. If we are unsure of a woman’s
marital status, always use Ms. as her title. Most Americans people are direct. They
prefer linear thinking and straightforward. When we are discussing about business
with Americans, get to the point quickly, be direct and be honest. In American rather
than meet face-to-face, they will conduct business over the phone or through email.
So, it is not necessary that Americans get to know their business partners on a
personal level.
Socializing
In the US, there are no differences to socialize with friends or colleagues. For them,
colleagues are friends too. So, basically, they are going to invite them to the party,
which is a popular way to socialize in the US.
SPAIN
Greeting
Greetings in Spain are an extensive ritual. We can shake hands with everybody to
present, and only people who know each other kiss on both their cheeks. The
business settings in Spain are initially quite formal. Therefore, it is always polite to
use the basic titles of courtesy, like ‘Señor/Don’ as Mr, ‘Señora/Doña’ as Mrs,
‘Señorita’ as Miss followed by the surname. If you speak Spanish, then use the
formal form until the person invites you to use the familiar form of addressing them.
When Spanish people interested with other people, they will show the signs, stand
very close to each other, touch each other frequently on the arm, back, or shoulder,
and maintain good eye contact. It is also useful to know that if someone interrupts
while we are speaking, the person is probably showing that they are interested in
what we are saying. And when Spanish people get carried away in a conversation,
they will generally speak loudly and gesticulate heavily. This merely means that they
are interested and not that they are angry.
Socializing
Lunch and dinner are an important part of the business culture in Spain. Spanish
people rarely invite (business) friends to their homes. Instead, they prefer to meet in
a restaurant or a café to get to know a business contact better. Long lunch breaks
and dinners are common across in the country. And even in a business context,
people generally won’t start discussing business before the coffee has been served.
Enjoying good food and the good company comes first, and the conversation is
usually kept light. Usually in Spain, the business matters can start to discuss after the
meal is over. Business meals are quite common in the Spanish culture, especially as
it helps create an environment to build relationships and trust.