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.
Dana Persia,
owner of DP
Image
Consulting,
offers the
following
lessons in
international
business
etiquette.
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.
Jet lag:
Affecting your
business?
The last
place you want
jet lag to take
its toll is
during an
important
meeting or
business outing.
Persia offers
these five
tricks to deal
with jet lag and
still do
business
effectively.
Try to arrive
a few days early
to give your
body a chance to
adjust before
important
meetings or
conferences.
Get plenty of
rest before your
trip. Jet lag is
worse if you
start out
sleep-deprived.
Dehydration
doesn't actually
cause jet lag,
but it does make
symptoms worse.
Drink plenty of
water before,
during and after
your flight to
counteract the
dehydrating
effects of dry
cabin air. Avoid
caffeine and
alcohol for
further
dehydration.
Sleep on the
plane if it's
nighttime at
your
destination.
Resist the urge
if it's daytime
there.
Set your
watch to the new
time before you
leave. Once you
reach your
destination, try
not to sleep
until nighttime,
no matter how
tired you are.
If you must
sleep, take a
short, one-hour
"cat nap."
Different
countries,
different
customs
It's common
knowledge that
etiquettes
differ from
person to city
to country to
continent;
keeping all the
customs straight
can be a
headache.
Persia offers
these tips to
deal with
various
traditions:
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
handshakes with
men.
Talking
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.
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.
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.
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.
