1. Administrative Professionals Conference September 19, 2016
Business Etiquette
Around the Globe
Administrative Professionals Conference September 19, 2016

2. 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.

3. “Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others
“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.”
~ Emily Post

5. International Travel Prepare Learn key phrases
Project global awareness
Leave the attitude at home
Blend in

10. “Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot.”
~ Clarence Thomas

11. Business Card Exchange Protocol
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. Always present with your right hand or both hands. Never your left hand in arab countries. Never write on the card. THe Janpansee feel it’s like writng on their face.

12. Business Card Exchange
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. Always present with your right hand or both hands. Never your left hand in arab countries. Never write on the card. THe Janpansee feel it’s like writng on their face.

13. Cross-Cultural Gift Giving
Countries where a gift is EXPECTED:
Europe: Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, Ukraine
Latin America: Bolivia, Columbia Costa Rica
Pacific Rim: China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand

14. Gift-Giving Taboos
In Asia and the Middle East use only your right hand, or both hands, to offer or accept a gift. In Japan and Hong Kong, use both hands.
Avoid giving gifts with your company logo to Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain.
Be cognizant of religious laws when selecting gifts. Pork is prohibited in Jewish and Muslim religions, so you wouldn’t select a gift made from pigskin.
In India, don’t offer a gift made
from cowhide.

15. Talking Business
In Germany, leave the trade talk for the boardroom. Business matters are usually discussed before or after the meal, never during.
In China, it's OK to discuss business as long as it's not the main topic of conversation. Exchanges about children, spouses or other personal information are encouraged and welcomed.
Avoid conversations about religion or politics.

16. Body Language and Gestures
Westerner crossing his legs committed a major gaffe. In the Middle East, it is considered an insult to cross your ankle over your knee and expose the bottom of your shoe while talking.

17. This widely recognised sign of approval or agreement is actually used as an insult in Bangladesh. In certain parts of the Middle East, thumbs-up is definitely as highly offensive a thumbs-down. The thumbs-up sign has been confusing people for thousands of years!

18. In most of the English-speaking world, as well as in several other countries, this hand gesture means that everything is fine, great, okay and/or perfect. In Brazil, however, it is considered a rude gesture. The most famous example of this was in the 1950s when Richard Nixon visited Brazil and flashed the “Ok sign” to a waiting crowd upon arriving in Rio de Janeiro, who responded with boos!

19. This sign has two formats: one with the palm faced outwards, and another with the palm inwards. In the US, both ways refer to “victory” and peace: protesters against the Vietnam War and activists adopted the gesture as a sign of peace. Because the hippies of the day often flashed this sign (palm out) while saying “Peace”, it became popularly known (through association) as the peace sign.
In other places, such as in the UK, Australia and South Africa, the same gesture with the back of the hand facing the other person is considered to be an extremely insulting.

20. Come here  This is used in the United States to ask a person to step forward, but in Asia this gesture isn’t welcome It should only be used to beckon dogs…if you do it in the Philippines you could be arrested.

21. In USA “the horn fingers” is adopted by rockers and it is a sign of approval, rock on! Hook ’em Horns is the slogan and hand signal of the University of Texas at Austin. But in many Mediterranean and Latin countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Spain, Italy and Portugal, to make this sign at someone is to tell them that their spouse is cheating on them.

22. Dining Continental style Cultural dishes Consuming alcohol Toasting
Conversations
Toasting. Toasts are almost always made at business lunches and dinners when you are abroad.  Know how and when to make a toast to your host if you are a guest; and, know how to graciously receive a toast.  You would never raise your glass and drink to yourself if your host is making a toast to you. And, if your host makes a toast to you, it is considered good manners to make a toast to him. Even if you don’t speak the language in the host country you are visiting, know how to say toast in their language. It will be seen as a very gracious gesture on your part.

23. Dining Etiquette Taboos
In the Middle East, India and parts of Africa, don't eat with your left hand.
In Mexico, never eat tacos with a fork and knife.
In Italy, only drink a cappuccino before noon.
In France, don't eat your bread as an appetizer before the meal.
In Chile, don't eat anything, even fries, with your hands at a meal.
In China, don't flip the fish.

24. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

25. Thank You! Nancy Schnoebelen Imbs nancy@stlpolished.com (314) 799-7851