Evans Library Presents

The World of Business Etiquette:

How Do You Do?

April 1 - June 30, 2006

 

 

"If you are going to play the game properly, you had better know every rule."

- the late Barbara Jordan, U.S. Representative from Texas

 

Soyez la bienvenue to the Web version of the Evans Library’s display on the world of business etiquette.

Whether you are doing business in your own home town or with associates from other cultures or in almost any place on the face of the earth, excellent etiquette can be very advantageous to successful professional interactions.

The Evans Library is proud to present "The World of Business Etiquette: How Do You Do?". Visitors will learn “do's and don't's” of proper protocol - here, there, and everywhere.

Again, welcome!

 

 

Introductions and Greetings:

The word "welcome" is always welcomed!

"Welcome"

Ahlan wa sahlan	Arabic
Huanying guanglin	Chinese
Velkommen	Danish
Failte	Gaelic
Aloha E Komo Mai	Hawaiian
Benvenuti	Italian
Irasshaimase	Japanese
Dobro pozhalovat'	Russian
Bienvenida	Spanish
Herzlich Willkommen	German
Kinh Chao Quy Khach	Vietnamese
Tashi Delek	Tibetan

 

It is equally important for your body language to convey sincerity and proper protocol. How you present yourself physically carries a lot of meaning to your global neighbor. Do you make eye contact? Do you shake hands? Do you bow? Do you say "hello" to your Arab neighbor's wife after meeting him? Knowing the answers to these and other questions will equip you better for successful business interactions.

 

"The Japanese will shake hands with Westerners as a way of making others feel comfortable. Westerners should extend the same courtesy by bowing to acknowledge that they have made an effort to learn the Japanese way. A gesture as small as this can assist in establishing rapport with a potential Japanese client. When bowing to individuals who are on the same status level as you, you should bow at the same height. When bowing to someone who is higher than you on the hierarchical level, bow a little lower than that person to display corporate deference. When bowing, eyes should be lowered rather than looking at the person. Men should keep their hands at their sides while women should keep their hands in front of them."

- International Business Etiquette, Ann Marie Sabath

________________________________________

"A traditional Arab male will not necessarily introduce his wife. Follow his lead; if he acts as if she isn't there, you should do the same.

- Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: How to do Business in Sixty Countries, Terri Morrison, Wayne A. Conaway, and George A Borden

______________________________________________

"In much of Asia and some parts of Africa and Latin America, direct eye contact, especially with elders, is considered disrespectful. In Austria, eye contact is expected and important. In Russia, there is little eye contact on the street, but direct eye contact is important in business. Eye contact will be a special challenge in Spain. Holding eye contact during a conversation shows sincerity; lowering the eyes signals respect. Yet, as in the United States and Canada, prolonged contact by a woman could send the wrong message."

- Do's and Taboos Around the World for Women in Business, Roger E. Axtell

 

"With just a look or a gesture...she would reveal to all of us...her compasssion and her humanity."

-Tony Blair, British Prime Minister, eulogizing Princess Diana

 

 

Resources on display

 

Guide to Business Etiquette	Roy A. Cook	HF5389 C655 2005
International Business Etiquette: Latin America	Ann Marie Sabath	HF5389.3 L3 S22 2000
Internation Business Etiquette: Asia & the Pacific Rim	Ann Marie Sabath	HF5389.3 .A78 S23 2002
Diversity Consciousness: Open Our Minds to People, Cultures, and Opportunities	Richard D. Bucher	HF5549.5 .M5 B83 2000
Doing Business with Japan: Successful Strategies for Intercultural Communication	Kazuo Nishiyama	HF5389.3 .J3 N57 2000
Letitia Baldridge's Complete Guide to Executive Manners	Letitia Baldridge	BJ2193 .B33 1985
Letitia Baldridge's Complete Guide to the New Manners for the 90's	Letitia Baldridge	BJ1853 .B35 1990
At Ease, Professionally: An Etiquette Guide for the Business Arena	Hilka Klinkenberg	HF5389 .K58 1992
Business Class: Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work	Jacqueline Whitmore	HF5389 .W48 2005
Do's and Taboos Around the World for Women in Business	Roger E. Axtell	G156.5 .B86 D87 1997
Chinese Business Etiquette: A Guide to Protocol, Manners, and Culture in the People's Republic of China	Scott D. Seligman	DS779.23 .S45 1999
Dealing With the Dutch: The Cultural Context of Business and Work in the Netherlands in the Early 21st Century	Jacob Vossestein	DJ91.5 .V67 2001
Culture's Consequences: Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions, and Organizations Across Nations	Geert H. Hofstede	GN502 .H628 2001
Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: How to do Business in Sixty Countries	Terri Morrison, Wayne A. Conway, & George A. Borden	HF5389 .M67 1994
Rules of the Game: Global Business Protocol	Nan Leaptrott	HF5389 .I43 1996
Beyond Culture	Edward Twitchell Hall	HM258 .H29 1981
Mind Your Manners: Managing Business Cultures in Europe	John Mole	HD70 .E8 M653 1998
Doing Business in Mexico: A Practical Guide	Gus Gordon	HG5162 .G72 2002
Business Etiquette Handbook	Parker Publishing Company	BJ2193 .P3
South America: A Fearless Guide to International Communication and Behavior	Mary Murray Bosrock	F2211 .B67 1997
International Business Etiquette: Europe	Ann Marie Sabath	HF5389.3 .E85 S22 1999
Cultures in Contact: Studies in Cross-Cultural Interaction	Stephen Bochner	GN496 .C84 1982
Cross-Cultural Encounters: Face to Face Interaction	Richard W. Brislin	GN496 .B74 1981
Selecting Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Materials	U.S. Department of Education	ED1.310/2:434246 (microfiche)
Culturally Sensitive Career Assessment: A Quandary	U. S. Department of Education	ED1.310/2:434246 (microfiche)
Physical Map of the World, April 2005		PREX 310/4-2:2005

"Ask a person about himself. Most persons are flattered to talk about themselves, and once this process is in motion, one only need sit back and listen."

-Barbara Walters

 

"Hello"

Nei hou ma, Ni hao	Chinese
Ahoj	Czech
Guten tag	German
Konnichiwa, Ohayo	Japanese
Labas	Lithuanian
Dzien dobry	Polish
Jambo	Swahili
Hej	Swedish
Sawat dii	Thai
Privit, Dobri den	Ukrainian

 

The Library of Congress provides many, many country studies and profiles. Learn about the geography, the economics, the political history, and more.

 

 

The Dining Experience

 

"Eating is not an executive skill; but it is especially hard to imagine why anyone negotiating a rise to the top would consider it possible to skip mastering the very simple requirements. What else did they skip learning?"

- Fortune 500 DEO

 

 

 

 

Most business meetings include some kind of dining. Do you know your salad fork from your fish fork? The general rule of thumb is to use the flatware starting at the outside and working your way in toward the plate; i.e., soup and salad utensils would be used early in the meal.

 

 

Compare the following dining styles, foods, and gatherings to what you are accustomed. How does it differ from yours?

 

CHINA

"At a meal, eat lightly in the beginning, since there could be up to twenty courses served. Expect your host to keep filling your bowl when you empty it. Finishing all of your food may be an insult to your host, since it can mean he did not provide enough food. Leaving a bowl completely full is also rude. The Chinese use chopsticks for eating and a porcelain spoon for soup. Your attempts at using chopsticks will be appreciated. When you are finished, set the chopsticks on the table or on the chopstick rest. Placing them parallel on top of your bowl is considered bad luck. Toasting is big in China. At banquets, the host offers the first toast, and the ceremony continues all evening. The serving of fruit signals the end of the meal."

JAPAN

"Business entertaining usually occurs after business hours, and very rarely in the home. You will be entertained often, sometimes on short notice. When you are taken out, your host will treat. Allow your host to order for you. Be enthusiastic while eating and show great thanks afterwards. For social occasions, it is appropriate to be fashionably late. Meals are long, but the evening usually ends about 11 p.m. Never point your chopsticks at another person. When you are not using them, you should line them up on the chopstick rest."

RUSSIA

"Always have a good supply of soft drinks, tea, coffee (not in plastic cups!), danish, cookies, snacks, and so forth, on the meeting table. Russians try hard to provide a variety of refreshments when conducting business, and appreciate you reciprocating in kind. At Russian hotels and restaurants, the doorman must try to let in only certain people. Don't be surprised if they are not friendly. In restaurants you may have a long wait for food. Ignore the menues; perhaps only a third of the items listed will actually be available. You must ask the waiter (if he or she speaks English) what is being served that day. Dinners are held early (6 p.m.) It is a great honor to be invited to a Russian home. It is also a great burden for the host. Russian tradition demands that you be served a lunch or dinner that far exceeds everyone's appetite, and often, the financial capabilities of the hosts. For example, caviar might be served with huge spoons. It is good to know a few toasts. The most common is Nah-zda-ROE-vee-ah."

AUSTRALIA

"Australians do not make unannounced visits; always call ahead. In an Australian pub, it is vital to remember that each person pays for a round of drinks. Missing your turn to 'shout for a round' is a sure way to make a bad impression. Australians don't invite strangers into their homes right away. They take their time getting to know someone before an invitation is made. Barbeques are a favorite reason for gathering. To avoid confusion, remember that 'afternoon tea' is around 4:00 p.m., 'tea' is the evening meal served between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m., and 'supper' is a late night snack. Good conversation topics are sports, which are very popular, and sightseeing, since Australians are very proud of their country. Politics and religion are taken very seriously, so expect some strong opinions if you discuss these topics. Remember that Australians respect people with opinions, even if those opinions conflict with their own. Arguments are considered entertaining, so do not be shy about espousing any truly held beliefs."

-above excerpts from the book - Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: How to do Business in Sixty Countries, Terri Morrison, Wayne A. Conaway, and George A Borden

BON APPÉTIT!

 

 

"To write a thank-you note is never wrong."

- Nancy Holder, Protocol Consulant

Some Internet sites related to business etiquette include:

 

Executive Planet	http://www.executiveplanet.com/
International Business Etiquette and Manners	http://www.cyborlink.com/
Quintessential Careers	http://www.quintcareers.com/job-hunting_etiquette.html
The Protocol School of Palm Beach	http://www.etiquetteexpert.com
Business Netiquette International	http://www.bspage.com/1netiq/Netiq.html
Getting Through Customs	http://www.getcustoms.com/2004GTC/articles.html
Asia Pulse's Guide to Business Etiquette in Asia	http://www2.gol.com/users/coynerhm/etiquette1.htm
Inter-American Understanding	http://interamerican-understanding.freewebspace.com/
International Business Center	http://international-business-center.com/international_culture.html
Kwintessential	http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/cross-cultural/business-etiquette-training.html

Gestures

As mentioned earlier, "body language" is an important part of understanding other cultures. Keeping particular "culturally correct" gestures in mind will allow for a more comfortable and productive relationship between the host and guest.

The following excerpts are from the book, "Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: How to do Business in Sixty Countries", Terri Morrison, Wayne A. Conaway, and George A. Borden.

 

MALAYSIA - Aside from handshakes, there is no public contact between the sexes. Do not kiss or hug a person of the opposite sex in public - even if you are husband and wife. On the other hand, contact between people of the same sex is permitted. Men may hold hands with men or even walk with their arms around each other; this is interpreted as nothing except friendship.

Among both Muslims and Hindus, the left hand is considered unclean. Eat with your right hand only. The foot is also considered unclean. Do not move anything with your feet and do not touch anything with your feet. Do not show the soles of your feet (or shoes). This restriction determines how one sits: You can cross your legs at the knee, but not place one ankle on your knee. It is impolite to point at anyone with the forefinger. Malays use a forefinger only to point at animals. When you must indicate something or someone, use the entire right hand (palm out). The head is considered the seat of the soul by many Indians and Malays. Never touch someone's head, not even to pat the hair of a child. Among Indians, a side-to-side toss of one's head indicates agreement, although Westerners may interpret it as a nod meaning 'no'.

NETHERLANDS - The Dutch are rather formal and reserved in public. They avoid any type of public spectacle. For example, when you notice an acquaintance in the distance, it is considered ill-mannered to shout a greeting. (You may wave to attract their attention, though).