| Guidelines to help you find your way through the maze | | | | handshake. Germans offer a firm shake with one |
| of international etiquette rules that apply whether you | | | | pump, and the French grip is light with a quick pump. |
| work on-line or in an office. | | | | Middle Eastern people will continue shaking your hand |
| To say that today's business environment is becoming | | | | throughout the greeting. Don't be surprised if you are |
| increasingly more global is to state the obvious. | | | | occasionally met with a kiss, a hug, or a bow |
| Meetings, phone calls and conferences are held all | | | | somewhere along the way. |
| over the world and attendees can come from any | | | | Using titles and correct forms of address: We are |
| point on the globe. On any given business day you can | | | | very informal in the United States and are quick to call |
| find yourself dealing face-to-face, over the phone, by | | | | people by their first name. Approach first names with |
| e-mail and, on rare occasions, by postal letter with | | | | caution when dealing with people from other cultures. |
| people whose customs and cultures differ your own. | | | | Use titles and last names until you have been invited to |
| You may never have to leave home to interact on an | | | | use the person's first name. In some cases, this may |
| international level. | | | | never occur. Use of first names is reserved for family |
| While the old adage "When in Rome, do as the | | | | and close friends in some cultures. |
| Romans do" still holds true, business clients and | | | | Titles are given more significance around the world |
| colleagues who are visiting this country should be | | | | than in the United States and are another important |
| treated with sensitivity and with an awareness of their | | | | aspect of addressing business people. Earned |
| unique culture. Not to do your homework and put your | | | | academic degrees are acknowledged. For example, a |
| best international foot forward can cost you | | | | German engineer is addressed as "Herr Ingenieur" and |
| relationships and future business. One small misstep | | | | a professor as "Herr Professor". Listen carefully when |
| such as using first names inappropriately, not observing | | | | you are introduced to someone and pay attention to |
| the rules of timing or sending the wrong color flower in | | | | business cards when you receive them. |
| the welcome bouquet can be costly. | | | | Exchanging business cards: The key to giving out |
| There is no one set of rules that applies to all | | | | business cards in any culture is to show respect for |
| international visitors so do the research for each | | | | the other person. Present your card so that the other |
| country that your clients represent. That may sound | | | | person does not have to turn it over to read your |
| like a daunting task, but taken in small steps, it is | | | | information. Use both hands to present your card to |
| manageable and the rewards are worth the effort. | | | | visitors from Japan, China, Singapore, or Hong Kong. |
| Keeping in mind that there are as many ways to do | | | | When you receive someone else's business card, |
| business as there are countries to do business with, | | | | always look at it and acknowledge it. When you put it |
| here are a few tips for minding your global P's and Q's. | | | | away, place it carefully in your card case or with your |
| Building relationships: Few other people are as eager to | | | | business documents. Sticking it haphazardly in your |
| get down to business as we Americans. So take time | | | | pocket is demeaning to the giver. In most cases, wait |
| to get to know your international clients and build | | | | until you have been introduced to give someone your |
| rapport before you rush to the bottom line. Business | | | | card. |
| relationships are built on trust that is developed over | | | | Valuing time. Not everyone in the world is as time |
| time, especially with people from Asia and Latin | | | | conscious as Americans. Don't take it personally if |
| America. | | | | someone from a more relaxed culture keeps you |
| Dressing conservatively: Americans like to dress for | | | | waiting or spends more of that commodity than you |
| fashion and comfort, but people from other parts of | | | | normally would in meetings or over meals. Stick to the |
| the world are generally more conservative. Your | | | | rules of punctuality, but be understanding when your |
| choice of business attire is a signal of your respect for | | | | contact from another country seems unconcerned. |
| the other person or organization. Leave your trendy | | | | Honoring space issues: Americans have a particular |
| clothes in the closet on the days that you meet with | | | | value for their own physical space and are |
| your foreign guests. | | | | uncomfortable when other people get in their realm. If |
| Observe the hierarchy: It is not always a simple matter | | | | the international visitor seems to want to be close, |
| to know who is the highest-ranking member when you | | | | accept it. Backing away can send the wrong |
| are dealing with a group. To avoid embarrassment, err | | | | message. So can touching. You shouldn't risk violating |
| on the side of age and masculine gender, only if you | | | | someone else's space by touching them in any way |
| are unable to discover the protocol with research. If | | | | other than with a handshake. |
| you are interacting with the Japanese, it is important to | | | | Whether the world comes to you or you go out to it, |
| understand that they make decisions by consensus, | | | | the greatest compliment you can pay your international |
| starting with the younger members of the group. By | | | | clients is to learn about their country and their customs. |
| contrast, Latin people have a clear hierarchy that | | | | Understand differences in behavior and honor them |
| defers to age. | | | | with your actions. Don't take offense when visitors |
| Understanding the handshake: With a few exceptions, | | | | behave according to their norms. People from other |
| business people around the world use the handshake | | | | cultures will appreciate your efforts to accommodate |
| for meeting and greeting. However, the American style | | | | them and you will find yourself building your international |
| handshake with a firm grip, two quick pumps, eye | | | | clientele. |
| contact and a smile is not universal. Variations in | | | | (c)2005, Lydia Ramsey. All rights in all media reserved. |
| handshakes are based on cultural differences, not on | | | | Reprint rights granted so long as the article and by-line |
| personality or values. The Japanese give a light | | | | are reproduced intact and all links are made live. |