An Expert's Guide to Cultural Awareness in Business

AN Expert's Guide TO CULTURAL AWARENESS IN BUSINESS For those of us lucky enough to travel for business, there are lots of chances to unwittingly commit a cultural faux pas. This country-by-country guide chronicles cultural etiquette when visiting different countries. AZERBAIJAN Putting your thumb and pointer finger together to make a circle signals 'OK' in America, but is an obscene gesture in Azerbaijan. Crossing your legs to show the sole of your foot is considered rude. BRAZIL Putting your thumb and pointer finger together to make a circle signals 'OK' in America, but is an obscene gesture in Brazil. Though meetings often run late, never leave early. It is considered rude to exit before the meeting ends. It is common behaviour to interrupt someone while they are speaking. Brazilians stand very close and use physical contact during conversations. CHINA I WILL THINK ABOUT IT Beckoning or pointing with the index finger is Chinese are Using your feet to move something or putting one's feet on the furniture is non-confrontational. They will not overtly say 'no', they will say 'they will think about it' or 'they will see'. considered bad form. considered extremely rude. Using your whole hand, palm flat, is the way to go. MADAM LO Address a person by an It is considered disrespectful to stare into another person's eyes. In crowded situations, the Chinese avoid eye contact to give themselves privacy. Handshakes are the most common form of honorific title and their greeting with foreigners. Many Chinese will look surname. If they want to move to a first-name towards the ground when greeting basis, they will advise you which name to use. Gender bias is non-existent in business. someone. Greetings are formal and the oldest person is always greeted first. Chinese non-verbal Since the Chinese strive communication speaks volumes. for harmony and are group dependent, they rely on facial expression, tone of voice and Business cards are posture to tell them what someone feels. Frowning while someone is exchanged after the initial introduction; hold the card in both hands when offering it; examine a business card before putting it on the table next to you or in a business speaking is interpreted as a sign of disagreement. Therefore, most Chinese maintain card case. Never write on an impassive expression when speaking. someone's card unless so directed. GREECE Do not raise your hand and show your palms to Greeks. INDIA I WILL TRY Business cards are Avoid use of the word exchanged after the initial handshake and greeting. Use the right hand to give “no" during business discussions; it's Pointing the soles of your feet at someone is rude, as is touching any part of someone else's body with your foot or shoes, so consider not crossing your legs. considered rude. and receive business cards. Always present your business card so the recipient may read the card as it is handed to Opt for terms such as "we'll see," "I will try," or "possibly." them. Meetings usually begin with a fair amount of small-talk and many times no business is discussed in the initial meeting. Good topics of conversation include marital status, family, your educational background, where you grew up, sports. Avoid topics such as politics, religions, the caste system, the Kashmir region. WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? JAPAN Japanese culture is very welcoming and formal. Expect each of your counterparts to bow during an introduction. Wait for them to initiate a The exchange of business cards is a very formal act that kicks off meetings. Present your card with two hands while facing your colleague. Do not conduct a brief exchange or slide your card across the table. During meetings, the most senior person will lead discussions and members of his or her handshake because it is less common, and sometimes avoided, in party may not say a word. business. KUWAIT Showing the bottoms of your shoes or feet or moving/passing objects with your feet is considered very rude. It is considered disrespectful to give or accept anything with your left hand. NIGERIA The thumbs up sign combined with an upward motion of the arm is considered a rude/obscene gesture by many. RUSSIA Avoid shaking hands and giving things across a threshold of a house or Putting one's feet up on It is considered rude to point with your finger. It's better to use the the furniture is considered room. It is best to err on the side of formality when you first make contact. extremely bad form, as is showing the soles of your shoes to someone. whole hand. It is rude to stand with your hands in your pockets. The American “Ok" sign and thumbs up sign are rude gestures. SAUDI ARABIA MAA People beckon one another by extending an arm and making a scratching motion with their fingers, palm down. Avoid beckoning someone with a upright finger as it may be considered an insult. Use only the right hand when it comes to greetings and giving or receiving things as the left hand is considered the "toileting" hand. Showing the bottom of the shoe or sandal is very Avoid crossing the legs at the knee while seated. Don't point the toe or heel or any part of the foot at inconsiderate. any person. SOUTH KOREA Joe Blogps Putting one's feet on the furniture is considered extremely bad form. Avoid red ink when signing documents as it is reserved for the deceased. It's best to point with your whole hand instead of one finger. When offering or receiving something, using two hands is a sign of respect. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES People beckon one another by extending an arm and making a scratching motion with their fingers (fingers pointed to the floor). Don't show the sole of your foot or use the foot to move anything as it is Always give, pass and receive objects (including food) with your right hand as the left is viewed as viewed as the lowliest body part. unclean. Don't point the toe or heel or any part of the foot at Avoid pointing with your finger, use the whole Always cross your legs at the ankle, not at the knee. any person. hand. AN Expert's Guide TO CULTURAL AWARENESS IN BUSINESS LONDON SPEAKER BUREAU.COM FROGRESS