International Marketing Practices

Appendix C: Business Etiquette Appropriate business etiquette is vital for success and receptivity to your business propositions abroad. The following two sections, adapted from CT Business Travel’s (https://www.ctbusinesstravel.co.uk/) Business Etiquette Around the World infographic, highlight the variability between countries and note specific social cues and preferences to be aware of for introductions and meetings. Introductions First impressions set the stage for future business endeavors. This section highlights behaviors often overlooked, such as titles, dress code, and rituals.

How to address?

Dress code

Business cards

Country

Handshake

First name vs Surname Male / Female — Canada and the Americas —

Brazil

Firm Firm Firm Firm Firm Firm Light Firm Firm Firm Firm Firm Firm Firm Firm Light

Senhor / Senhora Silva

Sharp Sharp Either Casual Sharp Sharp Sharp Sharp Sharp Sharp Casual Sharp Sharp Sharp Sharp Sharp Sharp Sharp Sharp Sharp

No ritual No ritual No ritual

Canada

Liam / Olivia Noah / Sophia

U.S.

— The Middle East —

Israel 1

Mr. / Ms. Cohen

Both hands Right hand

UAE

Sayed Mohammed / Sayeda Maryam — Europe and Russia —

Denmark France 2 Germany Ireland Russia 3

Herr / Fru Jensen

No ritual No ritual No ritual No ritual No ritual No ritual No ritual No ritual No ritual

Monsieur / Madame Martin

Herr / Frau Müller

Jack / Emily

Gaspodin / Gaspazhah Smirnov Sharp

Spain

Señor / Señora Garcia

Sweden

Lucas / Elsa

Switzerland

Mr. / Ms. Bianchi Mr. / Ms. Smith Jack / Charlotte Mr. / Mrs. Wong 4 Mr. / Ms. Patel Sato san / Sato san Mr. / Ms. Smith Mr. / Ms. Kim 4 — Asia and Australia —

U.K.

Australia Hong Kong

No ritual Both hands Both hands Both hands No ritual Both hands Both hands

India

Firm, with Namaste

Japan

Light

New Zealand Firm

South Korea

Light Light

Taiwan

Mr. / Ms. Tan 4

1 Israel – The workweek is Sunday to Thursday. 2 France – Apologizing for not being able to speak French may be a good start. 3 Russia – Too much smiling can be seen as being insincere. 4 In these countries, the surname comes before the given name.

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