Global Etiquettes in China

Meeting and Greeting

Do’s:
• Nod or bow without smiling. Bowing is usually a gesture of respect

• Handshake should be gentle when offered..Usually no hand shakes

• Wait for the Chinese to offer the handshake

• Lower the eyes when you meet others as a sign of respect

• Address with their first name. (Family name comes first and then followed by theirs. E.g. :

Chang Meiang is addressed as Mr. Chang)

• Seniors persons begin the greetings

• Refer his with either Mr / Miss / Job title E.g. : Director Chang

• Senior person should be acknowledged first

• Applaud when anyone is being introduced into a Chinese Group

Don'ts:
• Bow till the waist like Japanese

• Touch anyone unless you know them very well

• Address as per the preference of acquaintance

• Refer with second name

• Embrace or pat or the back

Business Card
Global Etiquettes in China

Do’s:
•Keep a supply of business cards readily available when associated with Chinese
•Ideally, have your business card translated into Chinese on one side and English on the
other
•Name, Company, Address and contact numbers
•Use two hands to present it
•Your name should face the person you are presenting the card to so he can read your
name
•Use two hands to accept a business card
•Study the name for a few seconds when you receive the card

Don’ts:
•Accept with one hand
•Give it with your name facing you
•Keep it in the pocket or purse immediately
•Write anything on the business card
Global Etiquettes in China
Gifting
Do’s:
 Present your gifts with both hands
 It’s a nice gesture to offer small gifts E.g.  pens, caps,

paperweights, mugs
 Should be wrapped preferably in red, yellow or pink
 Offer it twice or thrice because they politely refuse it for a

couple of times to reflect modesty

 Appreciate when you are offered a gift

Don’ts:
 Gifts of any great value can cause embarrassment and usually

are not accepted by the Chinese

 Gift Money
 Present it with one hand
 Gifting clocks, handkerchiefs, white or yellow flowers and

cutlery
 Accept it at once
 Wrap it in white, grey and black
Global Etiquettes in China
Dinning and Tipping
Do’s:
 Wait for the Chinese host to indicate where you are recommended to sit

 Start after the senior people start having

 Leave a small amount of food in the plate to show that your satisfied

 For tipping taxi drivers or restaurant servers is to offer a handful of change

Don’ts:
 Empty the whole plate of food

 Start eating first

Global Etiquettes in China
Conversation
Do’s:
  Refer to the country as the "People’s Republic of China" or simply "China," rather than

"mainland China.
 Silence implies “no”

 Silence also implies, "There are still problems, and we would like to reconsider the main

issues." Since the Chinese do not like to say no, you should avoid asking them questions
that require such a response
 Chinese avoid a negative response is to say "We will do some research and discuss it

later." Don’t be too encouraged by the word "research“

 Chinese communication is ambiguous, indirect and highly contextual

 Give your host a chance to bond with you

 When meeting someone for the first time for a business meeting, you should engage in

general conversation before turning to business

Don’ts:
 Be Loud, boisterous speech and actions

 Laughing loud when you meet for the first time

 Mention Taiwan and criticize Chinese leadership

 Be talkative and be sure to take an interest in what your host has to say
Global Etiquettes in China
Dressing
Do's:
 Low heels or flats are preferred for

women
 Looking simples reflects success

 Women should wear completely covered

business wear
 Sport coats and ties are acceptable in the

winter for men

 Slacks and open-necked shirts are

generally acceptable in warmer weather

Don'ts:
 Wear loud colors and showy jewellery

(Women)
 Wear low necklines, short skirts and

heavy makeup (Women)

 Wear high heels

 Wear Red and White coloured clothes

 Greeting Etiquettes: Japan
 Impassive and Positive Body Language

 Person is greeted by Bow ; Deeper you bow more

respectful it is.

 Address Japanese Host by his Last name with a prefix

“San” not by first name

 Allow highest ranking person to enter in room first ,

succeeding the lowest rank person
 LEARN TO BOW
 Men and women bow differently.
◦ Men- Keep their hands at their sides,
◦ Women put their hands together on their thighs
with their fingers touching.
 Meeting Etiquettes
 Always arrive 10 minutes early , more if
meeting is with senior executives .
 Dark suits with white shirts and subdued Tie

is considered right for meetings.

 Avoid wearing Black suit with white shirt and

Black Tie as it is considered a funeral attire

 Never pat Japanese man on back or shoulder.
 Keep your hands out of your pockets while

talking to someone.
 Don’t point your finger while making a point.

It is considered rude.
Business Card Etiquettes
• Have Business Cards (Meishi) in good number.
• Printed one side in English and other side in
Japanese
• It should contain Name , Address of executive and
Company’s name.
• Gift and receive cards using both hands
• Give a brief introduction while offering your card
• While receiving common practice to confirm other
person’s name and thank him. Do not put it
immediately in Wallet.
• The quality and condition of business card speaks
how you intend to handle yourself and business
Gift Giving Etiquettes:
 Avoid giving white flowers ,lilies, lotus blossoms

 Good quality cakes , chocolates, wine bottles or any

expensive are considered good gifts

 Wrap gifts according to occasion.

 Gifts are not opened when received.

 Dining Etiquettes

 If invited at Japanese person’s home, remove shoes at entrance of

home.
 Japanese specialities include Sake( rice wine) and sashimi( sliced
raw fish)
 Honoured or eldest person will be seated in centre of table.
 While you stop to speak or drink your chopstick should be placed
at chopstick rest and not across top of your bowl.
 Do not point chopsticks while eating.
 Mixing one food with other not acceptable.
 Do not finish anything completely unless you want more
 Tipping is not acceptable.
 Its okay to slurp noodles and soup.
British Etiquette and Customs

Meeting and greeting

Gifting
Dining
General Norms
Meeting and Greeting
 British might seem
stiff and formal at
first.
 Handshake

accompanied by “How
do you do?”
 Avoid the sentence,

“Have a nice day!”.

 Avoid prolonged eye

contact.
 Do use courtesy titles like Mr. Miss. etc

 Do not be quick to move to first name basis.

 Business cards are exchanged at the intial

introduction without formal ritual.

 Business card is put away with just a cursory

glance.
Gifting Giving Etiquette
 Gifts are usually not exchanged in business
settings.
 Appropriate gifts- A bottle of wine, A box of

chocolates, Flowers (not white lilies).

 Gifts are opened when received.
Dining Etiquette
 British value punctuality.
 Table manners are continental- Fork is held in the
left hand and knife in the right.
 Remain standing until invited to sit down.
 DO NOT rest your elbows on table.
 If you have finished food- place your knife and fork
to the right side of your plate.
 The person extending the invitation, pays.
 Summon the waiter by raising your hand. Don’t
wave or shout.
 Most business entertaining is done over lunch.
 Women SHOULD NOT invite men for dinner.
 Wait for your host to start the meal.
 DO NOT keep your hands in your lap.
 When the host folds the napkin, signals meal is
over.
 Leave a small amount of food on your plate when
finished eating.
General Etiquettes
 Timekeeping (very important)
 Tipping (10% of the bill if happy with the service).
 Queuing – In U.K. you have to queue for everything.
 Small talk- Choose the topic carefully.
 Parties
 Pubs
 Personal space (DO NOT get touchy)
 Dressing sense
 Humor is ever present in English life.
 Women do not feel offended if addressed as darling,
dearie, or love.
 Dressing sense
 Instructions to make favourable initial
impression in UNITED STATES
1. Mention the name of the person.
2. Rise, smile and shake hands when being introduced
(women can refrain from rising up and shaking hands).

3. Handshake should be firm & brief (for few seconds).

4. Eye to eye contact is compulsory.

5. Business cards can be exchanged (only when parties

contact each other afterwards).
 United States Appearance
1.  Business suit and tie are appropriate in all major
cities. Dark coloured suits are preferable, with white
coloured shirt and also slight light blue colour shirt
can be wearied.
2. Women should wear a suit or dress with jacket in
major cities, wearing classic colours of navy, gray ivory
are preferable.
3. Men may generally wear jeans or khaki pants with a
shirt for casual attire in office.
4.  Women may wear a business dress, or skirt and
blouse and jeans and shorts for casual attire in office.
 United States Behaviour
 1. Business conversation may take place during meals.

2. Gift giving is discouraged or limited by many US

companies. A gracious written note is always
appropriate and acceptable.
Giving gift seems to be a bribe.

 3. An invitation for a meal or a modest gift is usually

acceptable.
4. Do not use or chew on a toothpick in business meetings.
United States communications
1.  Offer a firm handshake, lasting 3-5 seconds, upon
greeting and leaving. Maintain good eye contact during
your handshake.
2. Good eye contact during business and social
conversations shows interest, sincerity and confidence.
3.  Introductions include one's title if appropriate, or Mr.,
Ms, Mrs. and the full name.
4.  Business cards are generally exchanged during
introductions. However, they may be exchanged when
one party is leaving.
5.  Ask permission to smoke before lighting a cigarette or
cigar. Due to health concerns, you may or may not be
given permission.
Global Etiquettes
 Dress Etiquettes
 Dinning Etiquettes
 Gift Giving Etiquettes
 Business Meeting Etiquettes
 Business Card Etiquettes
 Meeting Etiquettes
Dress Etiquettes
 Brazilians pride themselves on dressing well.
 Men should wear conservative, dark coloured
business suits. Three-piece suits typically indicate
that someone is an executive.
 Women should wear suits or dresses that are
elegant and feminine with good quality accessories.
 Manicures are expected.
Dinning Etiquettes
 Arrive at least 30 minutes late if the invitation is for
dinner.
 Arrive up to an hour late for a party or large
gathering.
 Brazilians dress with a flair and judge others on
their appearance. Casual dress is more formal than
in many other countries. Always dress elegantly
and err on the side of over-dressing rather than
under- dressing.
 If you did not bring a gift to the hostess, flowers
the next day are always appreciated.
Gift Giving Etiquettes
 If invited to a Brazilian's house, bring the hostess
flowers or a small gift.
 Orchids are considered a very nice gift, but avoid
purple ones.
 Avoid giving anything purple or black as these are
mourning colours.
 Handkerchiefs are also associated with funerals, so
they do not make good gifts.
 Gifts are opened when received.
Business Meeting Etiquettes
 Business appointments are required and can often
be scheduled on short notice; however, it is best to
make them 2 to 3 weeks in advance.
 Confirm the meeting in writing
 In Sao Paulo and Brasilia it is important to arrive on
time for meetings. In Rio de Janeiro and other cities
it is acceptable to arrive a few minutes late for a
meeting.
 Meetings are generally rather informal.
 Expect to be interrupted while you are speaking or
making a presentation.
Business Cards Etiquettes
 Business cards are exchanged during introductions
with everyone at a meeting.
 It is advisable, although not required, to have the
other side of your business card translated into
Portuguese.
 Present your business card with the Portuguese
side facing the recipient.
Meeting Etiquettes
 Men shake hands when greeting one another, while
maintaining steady eye contact.
 Women generally kiss each other, starting with the
left and alternating cheeks.
 Hugging and backslapping are common greetings
among Brazilian friends.
 If a woman wishes to shake hands with a man, she
should extend her hand first.