BUSINESS

ETIQUETTES

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• Wishing good morn, day, get well soon, have a nice day,
happy returns of the day, congratulations, I am sorry (if
heard of someone’s death), looking great (but be honest-
no flattery) and also see if the other person likes it or gets
irritated then stop doing etc.
• Do not bang the door. If you know that the door bangs,
shut it slowly (like Bhambhani Sir’s door)
• Try and clean your shoes in the doormat before entering
the office. Strictly follow rules like – remove your shoes.
• Rest assure that shoes/socks are not stinking. If at all can
use phenyl balls in the shoes – a great idea.
• Always dress comfortably. If have to wear compulsorily
something try it for some hours prior to the due day. Also
if new costumes do not leave it for the due day to try it out.
Choose correct color suited to the occasion. Preferably
light colors for the formals.
• Switch off all lights before leaving the room.
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• Males: Well cut hair, combed and oiled/creamed.
Preferably clean shaved. Neat and clean but tightly
ironed clothes, especially the front creases on shirts
and pants. Preferably carry white handkerchiefs and
wear white socks. Apply good deos and perfumes. Also
use mouth freshener. At times if you’ve traveled for
longer hours even during the day, mouth can stink. If
informal dressing needed, wear likewise, maybe denims
and T-shirts and sandals
• Females: Again comfortable, sober, soothing dressing
and suited to the occasion particularly foot wears. Wear
heels only if comfortable. Make up should suit the
occasion. Particularly hair should be well pinned and
face should look neat and clean.
• If wear specs be choosy about the frame. If do not want
to keep 2 suiting formal and informal each, then keep
one only and that too suited to the formal.
• Neither males nor females should comb their hair in
public.
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• Do not scribble or scratch or peel furniture / leather /
cushions with open pens / nails knowingly or unknowingly.
• Do not lift your shoes facing the wall and dirty the wall.
• Use the dustbins wherever available/rest assure that you
do not dirty a clean place.
• If suffering from cough/cold try to clean nose outside the
venue. Also say ‘Sorry’ / ’Excuse me’ while sneezing.
Always carry a handkerchief / tissue.
• Always block your mouth with your hands while coughing.
• Do not keep your hands on the dining table. Lean back and
sit till the waiter serves the whole food. Do not begin
unless he finishes serving.
• Do not eat too much in formal occasion, and then keep on
burping. It will also cause uneasiness having eaten the
same. Try to avoid smelling edibles (like onions,
cauliflower). Can carry a mouth freshener.
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• While eating try to eat with close mouth that does not
cause irritating sounds. The folk and the spoons should
not bang on the plate. Neither should any noise come from
your teeth and glass/folk-spoons. Your mouth should be
very clean while eating. So eat smaller bites. Serve the
plate as less as possible if needed take another time, but
do not waste.
• Do not drink tea/coffee in saucer. If hot then wait for it to
cool.
• Do not get up from the chair unless all have finished.
• Try and control if at all needed – yawning.
• Age old 3 formula ‘please, sorry and thank-you’ still works
almost equally efficiently.
• A handshake can be soft, firm, brief, long, or even painful.
The way you shake hands provides clues to your
personality.
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• When you want to intrude on a colleague's time. Do say:
"May I have a moment of your time?"
• When somebody to whom you’ve got to meet enters, stand
and sit not until the other person takes the seat
• Let the conversations be brief, professional and up-to-the-
point rather than beat around the bush.
• Be a good listener, and in 1-to-1 communication only be
loud enough to be heard by the other person
• Be punctual.
• Escort the guest to the venue and say “Let me escort you
to ….” with your hands suggesting the same.
• Switch to the silent mode-your mobiles to respect your
clients
• Take an appointment before any meeting and maintain
your own planner and stick to it. If need be inform
beforehand if appointment could not be maintained. 6
• Touching the head, shoulders or back of an older
person can be considered disrespectful, even if
the intent is to comfort or indicate affection.
• If you are to accompany a lady, walk slowly if
she’s in a saree / finding it difficult to walk
speedily, make her comfortable, ask for food,
fresh room for her.
• Seating style in a meeting, in a group, in an
auditorium.
• Chewing in front of anybody.
• While passing presentation responsibility to
another person, say “and now may I plz request
______ to explain/…./ take over….”
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 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ETIQUETTES

• In Spain, a business dinner will last well into the early

morning hours -- many restaurants don't even open
until 9 p.m. and don't get busy until 10 or 11 p.m.
• Australians aren't impressed by a title or status -- they
expect your work to speak for itself.
• The Japanese aren't afraid to ask how much money
you earn or how large your home is.
• These are only three out of thousands of different
customs, business protocols and social mores
throughout the world. International business can be
tricky; if you aren't prepared, your business deal can
go down in flames.
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• Before you go…

1. Prepare. Do plenty of research on the business and

personal etiquette of the particular country you are
planning to visit. Purchase a travel book for the country
you are going to visit and remember: The Internet is your
friend.
2. Learn key phrases. It's always a smart move to learn
several key phrases in the language of the country you'll
visit. It's a nice way to bridge the gap between cultures --
and natives will appreciate the attempt.
3. Leave the attitude at home. Americans sometimes assume
superior attitudes when interacting with foreign cultures --
for them it is "our way is the best way." Ditch this stance
quickly -- you could be ignored or met with disapproval.
4. Blend in. In general, Americans dress differently, speak
loudly and have distinct accents -- so it's best to try not to
stand out more than you already will. 9
 Gender roles
• Gender etiquette plays a significant role not only in
business, but overall in foreign travel. In some
countries, where gender is rooted in the tenets of a
particular religion, faux pas are often considered
unforgivable.
• For example, in the Arab world, shaking hands is
mandatory in a business setting; but touching women
in traditional, western dress is forbidden. In India, men
and women shouldn't make physical contact in public
other than handshaking. In Japan, older generations
may not be comfortable shaking hands with
Westerners and it's important that you don't get too
close to them. In Argentina, women should initiate
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handshakes with men.
 Talking about business
• If you're on business in Germany, leave the
trade talk at the boardroom door. Business
matters are usually discussed before or after
the meal; never during.
• Conversely, in China, it's OK to discuss
business as long as it's not the main topic of
conversation. Personal exchanges about
children, spouses or other personal information
are encouraged and welcomed.

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 Business cards

• The business card exchange is extremely

important in Japan -- almost ceremonial.
Always give business cards with two hands
and make a point to admire and examine the
card. The more time you spend looking at it
indicates the more respect you have for the
person. In Italy, do not exchange business
cards at social occasions; it is the norm at
business functions and meetings.
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 Alcohol at meals

• In Australia, alcohol is discouraged at

business luncheons. Drinking moderately at
business meals is acceptable in Germany; in
Russia, you are expected to drink to
establish closer relationships -- though again,
in moderation. In France, avoid drinking hard
liquor before meals or smoking cigars
between courses -- the French feel it
compromises the taste of the meal.
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 Gifts
• A standard to keep in mind for any gift you select
is quality. If you give gifts with your company
logo, it's better if the logo is discreet. Never give
company logo gifts in Greece, Spain or Portugal.
In general, be safe rather sorry and choose non-
logo gifts. In China, it's considered rude to open
a gift in front of the person who gave it. In Africa,
gifts are opened immediately upon receipt

• http://www.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/06/11/i
nternational.etiquette/index.html

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CHINESE
BUSINESS
ETIQUETTES

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Non-Verbal Communication
• Since the Chinese strive for harmony and are group
dependent, they rely on facial expression, tone of
voice and posture to tell them what someone feels.

• Frowning while someone is speaking is interpreted

as a sign of disagreement. Therefore, most Chinese
maintain an expression shoeing that they are
impressed when speaking.

• It is considered disrespectful to stare into another

person's eyes. In crowded situations the Chinese
avoid eye contact to give themselves privacy.

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 Meeting Etiquette
• Greetings are formal and the oldest person is always
greeted first.
• Handshakes are the most common form of greeting
with foreigners.
• Many Chinese will look towards the ground when
greeting someone.
Address the person by an honorific title and their
surname. If they want to move to a first-name basis,
they will advise you which name to use.
• The Chinese have a terrific sense of humor. They can
laugh at themselves most readily if they have a
comfortable relationship with the other person. Be
ready to laugh at yourself given the proper
circumstances.
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 Gift Giving Etiquette
• In general, gifts are given at Chinese New Year,
weddings, births and more recently (because of
marketing), birthdays.
• The Chinese like food and a nice food basket will make
a great gift.
• Do not give scissors, knives or other cutting utensils as
they indicate the severing of the relationship.
• Do not give clocks, handkerchiefs or straw sandals as
they are associated with funerals and death.
• Do not give flowers, as many Chinese associate these
with funerals.
• Do not wrap gifts in white, blue or black paper.
• Four is an unlucky number so do not give four of
anything. Eight is the luckiest number, so giving eight
of something brings luck to the recipient.
• Always present gifts with two hands. Gifts are not
opened when received. Gifts may be refused three
times before they are accepted. 18
 Dining Etiquette
• The Chinese prefer to entertain in public places
rather than in their homes, especially when
entertaining foreigners.
• If you are invited to their house, consider it a great
honor. If you must turn down such an honor, it is
considered polite to explain the conflict in your
schedule so that your actions are not taken as a
slight.
• Arrive on time.
• Remove your shoes before entering the house.
• Bring a small gift to the hostess.
• Eat well to demonstrate that you are enjoying the
food!

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 Table manners
• Wait to be told where to sit. The guest of honor will be
given a seat facing the door.
• The host begins eating first.
• You should try everything that is offered to you.
• Never eat the last piece from the serving tray.
• Be observant to other peoples' needs.
• Chopsticks should be returned to the chopstick rest
after every few bites and when you drink or stop to
speak. Learn to use chopsticks.
• The host offers the first toast.
• Do not put bones in your bowl. Place them on the table
or in a special bowl for that purpose.
• Hold the rice bowl close to your mouth while eating.
• Do not be offended if a Chinese person makes burping
sounds; it merely indicates that they are enjoying their
food.
• There are no strict rules about finishing all the food in
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your bowl.
Relationships & Communication

• The Chinese don't like doing business with companies

they don't know, so working through an intermediary is
crucial. This could be an individual or an organization
that can make a formal introduction and vouch for the
reliability of your company.
• Before arriving in China send materials (written in
Chinese) that describe your company, its history, and
literature about your products and services. The Chinese
often use intermediaries to ask questions that they would
prefer not to make directly.
• Business relationships are built formally after the
Chinese get to know you.
• Be very patient. It takes a considerable amount of time
and is bound up with enormous bureaucracy.
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• The Chinese see foreigners as representatives of their
company rather than as individuals.
• Rank is extremely important in business relationships
and you must keep rank differences in mind when
communicating.
• Gender bias is nonexistent in business.
• Never lose sight of the fact that communication is
official, especially in dealing with someone of higher
rank. Treating them too informally, especially in front of
their peers, may well ruin a potential deal.
• The Chinese prefer face-to-face meetings rather than
written or telephonic communication.
• Meals and social events are not the place for business
discussions.

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 Business Meeting Etiquette
• Each participant will take an opportunity to dominate
the floor for lengthy periods without appearing to say
very much of anything that actually contributes to the
meeting. Be patient and listen. There could be subtle
messages being transmitted that would assist you in
allaying fears of on-going association.
• Appointments are necessary and, if possible, should be
made between one-to-two months in advance,
preferably in writing.
• If you do not have a contact within the company, use an
intermediary to arrange a formal introduction. Once the
introduction has been made, you should provide the
company with information about your company and
what you want to accomplish at the meeting.
• You should arrive at meetings on time or slightly early.
The Chinese view punctuality as a virtue. Arriving late is
an insult and could negatively affect your relationship.
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• Meetings require patience. Mobile phones ring
frequently and conversations tend to be lengthy and
appearing as not giving results. Never ask the Chinese
to turn off their mobile phones as this causes you both
to lose face.
• Send an agenda before the meeting so your Chinese
colleagues have the chance to meet with any technical
experts prior to the meeting. Discuss the agenda with
your translator/intermediary prior to submission.
• Guests are generally escorted to their seats, which are
in descending order of rank. Senior people generally sit
opposite senior people from the other side.
• It is imperative that you bring your own interpreter,
especially if you plan to discuss legal or extremely
technical concepts as you can brief the interpreter prior
to the meeting.
• Pay great attention to the agenda as each Chinese
participant has his or her own agenda that they will
attempt to introduce.
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• Written material should be available in both English
and Chinese, using simplified characters. Be very
careful about what is written. Make absolutely
certain that written translations are accurate and
cannot be misinterpreted.
• Visual aids are useful in large meetings and should
only be done with black type on white background.
Colors have special meanings and if you are not
careful, your color choice could work against you.
• Presentations should be detailed and factual and
focus on long-term benefits. Be prepared for the
presentation to be a challenge.

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 Business Negotiation
• Only senior members of the negotiating team will
speak. Designate the most senior person in your group
as your spokesman for the introductory functions.
• Business negotiations occur at a slow pace.
• Be prepared for the agenda to become a jumping off
point for other discussions.
• Chinese are non-confrontational. They will not overtly
say 'no', they will say 'they will think about it' or 'they
will see'.
• Chinese negotiations are process oriented. They want
to determine if relationships can develop to a stage
where both parties are comfortable doing business with
the other.
• Decisions may take a long time, as they require careful
review and consideration.
• Under no circumstances should you lose your temper
or you will lose face and irrevocably damage your
relationship. Business is hierarchical. Decisions are
unlikely to be made during the meetings you attend.26
 What to Wear?
• Business attire is conservative and unpretentious.
• Men should wear dark colored, conservative business
suits.
• Women should wear conservative business suits or
dresses with a high neckline.
• Women should wear flat shoes or shoes with very low
heels.
• Bright colors should be avoided.

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 Business Cards
• Business cards are exchanged after the initial
introduction.
• Have one side of your business card translated into
Chinese using simplified Chinese characters that are
printed in gold ink since gold is an auspicious color.
• Your business card should include your title. If your
company is the oldest or largest in your country, that
fact should be on your card as well.
• Hold the card in both hands when offering it, Chinese
side facing the recipient.
• Examine a business card before putting it on the table
next to you or in a business card case.
• Never write on someone's card unless so directed.

• http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-
etiquette/china-country-profile.html
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• http://www.asu.edu/lib/hayden/ref/busi/intletig.html
THANK YOU !!!

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