Business Etiquettes

Business attire
should be
conservative

Bow with your

back straight and
your hands at the
side

Use the last name

plus the word
san

Try to say something in

Japanese

DONT put your hands in your

pocket

DONT request to be called by your

first name only

DONT use large hand gestures,

unusual facial expressions
and any dramatic movements

hold your business card with both hands, present it

to the most senior member of the Japanese party
first, bowing slightly.

Bring a small notebook to write

notes

During the meeting, place the

business card on the table in front
of you

NEVER write notes on a

Japanese business card

NEVER fidget or play with a

Japanese business card

Make appointments in advance

Call to set an appointment

Be punctual
Start meeting on time and end
on time

Take notes of the

meeting

Always give a small gift as a token

and present it to the most senior
person at the end of the meeting

DONT send email, letter, or fax to

set appointment

Never refuse a request no matter

how difficult or non profitable it may
appear

DONT Point fingers

DONT Give gifts wrapped in white

because it means death

DONT surprise the recipient

with a gift

Bring written contracts

Be patient and try to work out if

your Japanese colleagues have
understood what was said.

DONT directly challenge a senior

person, especially in front of others.

DONT outwardly express

negative emotions

CHINA

To shake or not to shake?

Have a Chinese name

Be introduced by somebody else

When can I introduce myself?

Expect chopsticks to be served

at the center of the table

Expect rice to be served last

DONT expect cold water

Chinese tables are round

Chinese tables are round

Learn how to use chopsticks

properly

Meals are usually served with

wine, tea, beer, or other alcohols

DONT finish all the food

When giving the traditional red

envelopes

When giving
regular gifts

How you should wrap

Writing greeting cards

Who to give the gifts to

Use both hands to give and

receive a gift

ALWAYS formally thank the person

India

Namaste

Give a gentle handshake,

introduce yourself and leave

DONT shake hands with the

opposite sex

Use the first letter of their fathers

name before their first name

DONT address the other person

using their first name only

Indians usually arrive late so it is

okay to be late as well

Drink whiskey before eating dinner

Always eat after discussing

business. Indians always leave after
eating

Prepare vegetarian menus with

no beef

England

Polished and Well Groomed

Men should wear dark colored

suits

Women can wear suits or

conservative dresses

DONT wear casual clothes

DONT wear striped ties

Exchange cards on initial

introduction

Use Mr. or Ms. + surname when

addressing someone

Shake hands with everyone

when you arrive

DONT bend and write at the

back of the business card

DONT address someone using

his/her first name

NEVER BE LATE

Give flowers, fine chocolate, quality

wine or spirits wrapped presentably
BEFORE entering the house
(When invited to home)

Give small and tasteful gifts

DONT give gifts before a

meeting

United States of America

Varies by geographic region, day of the week

and industry

Executives dress formally.

Casual Friday is common in many companies.

Dress conservatively,
especially in meetings.

Hand shake is the common greeting.

Maintain eye contact during the

greeting.

Address your colleagues with Dr., Ms, Mr.

or Mrs. and their last name when meeting for
the first time

Business cards are exchanged

without formal ritual.

DONT make any other form of

physical contact such as hugging
when greeting

Be direct and
get to your
point quickly

Use the telephone to conduct

business

Say

and

Though meetings may appear relaxed,

they are taken quite seriously.

At the conclusion of the meetings, there will be

a summary of what was decided, a list of who
will implement which facets and a list of the
next steps to be taken and by whom.

Presentations should be direct and to the

point and use statistics to back up your
claims.

With the emphasis on controlling time,

business is conducted rapidly.

Attempt to
reach an
oral
agreement
at the first
meeting.

DO
Partake in preliminary
small talk
Ask questions if you do
not understand
something
Value written works
Spell names correctly and
have correct titles
Keep appointments when
they are made

DONT
x Interrupt
x Be offended or surprised if
your colleagues cannot
accept a gift
x Disqualify by appearance
x Turn your back
x Avoid silence
x Enter into a contract
without hiring a lawyer