CHINA Culture, Customs and Etiquettes

Meeting

Greetings are formal and the oldest person is always greeted first.

Handshakes are the most common form of greeting with foreigners.

Many Chinese will look towards the ground when greeting someone.

Address the person by an honorific title and their surname. If they want
to move to a first-name basis, they will advise you which name to use.

The Chinese have a terrific sense of humour. They can laugh at

themselves most readily if they have a comfortable relationship with
the other person. Be ready to laugh at yourself given the proper
circumstances.

Gift Giving

In general, gifts are given at Chinese New Year, weddings, births and more
recently (because of marketing), birthdays.

The Chinese like food and a nice food basket will make a great gift.

Do not give scissors, knives or other cutting utensils as they indicate

the severing of the relationship.

Do not give clocks, handkerchiefs or straw sandals as they are

associated with funerals and death.

Do not give flowers, as many Chinese associate these with funerals.

Do not wrap gifts in white, blue or black paper.

Four is an unlucky number so do not give four of anything. Eight is the

luckiest number, so giving eight of something brings luck to the
recipient.

Always present gifts with two hands.

Dining
 The Chinese prefer to entertain in public places rather than in their
homes, especially when entertaining foreigners.

If you are invited to their house, consider it a great honour. If you must
turn down such an honour, it is considered polite to explain the conflict
in your schedule so that your actions are not taken as a slight.

Arrive on time.

Remove your shoes before entering the house.

Bring a small gift to the hostess.

Business Etiquette and Protocol in China

Relationships & Communication

The Chinese don't like doing business with companies they don't know,
so working through an intermediary is crucial. This could be an
individual or an organization who can make a formal introduction and
vouch for the reliability of your company.

Before arriving in China send materials (written in Chinese) that

describe your company, its history, and literature about your products
and services. The Chinese often use intermediaries to ask questions
that they would prefer not to make directly.

Business relationships are built formally after the Chinese get to know
you.

Be very patient. It takes a considerable amount of time and is bound

up with enormous bureaucracy.

The Chinese see foreigners as representatives of their company rather

than as individuals.

Business Meeting

Appointments are necessary and, if possible, should be made between

one-to-two months in advance, preferably in writing.

If you do not have a contact within the company, use an intermediary

to arrange a formal introduction. Once the introduction has been made,
you should provide the company with information about your company
and what you want to accomplish at the meeting.
 You should arrive at meetings on time or slightly early. The Chinese
view punctuality as a virtue. Arriving late is an insult and could
negatively affect your relationship

GERMANY Culture, Customs and Etiquettes

A Planning Culture

In many respects, Germans can be considered the masters of planning.

This is a culture that prizes forward thinking and knowing what they
will be doing at a specific time on a specific day.

Careful planning, in one's business and personal life, provides a sense

of security.

Rules and regulations allow people to know what is expected and plan
their life accordingly.

Once the proper way to perform a task is discovered, there is no need

to think of doing it any other way.

Germans believe that maintaining clear lines of demarcation between

people, places, and things is the surest way to lead a structured and
ordered life.

The German Home

Germans take great pride in their homes.

They are kept neat and tidy at all times, with everything in its
appointed place.

In a culture where most communication is rather formal, the home is

the place where one can relax and allow your individualism to shine.

Only close friends and relatives are invited into the sanctity of the
house, so it is the one place where more informal communication may
occur.

There are many unwritten rules surrounding the outward maintenance

of one's home.
 It is imperative that common areas such as sidewalks, pavements,
corridors (in apartments), and steps be kept clean at all times.

Meeting

Greetings are formal.

A quick, firm handshake is the traditional greeting.

Titles are very important and denote respect. Use a person's title and
their surname until invited to use their first name. You should say Herr
or Frau and the person's title and their surname.

In general, wait for your host or hostess to introduce you to a group.

When entering a room, shake hands with everyone individually,

including children.

Gift Giving

If you are invited to a German's house, bring a gift such as chocolates

or flowers.

Yellow roses or tea roses are always well received.

Do not give red roses as they symbolize romantic intentions.

Do not give carnations as they symbolize mourning.

Do not give lilies or chrysanthemums as they are used at funerals.

If you bring wine, it should be imported, French or Italian. Giving

German wines is viewed as meaning you do not think the host will
serve a good quality wine.

Gifts are usually opened when received.

Dining

If you are invited to a German's house:

Arrive on time as punctuality indicates proper planning. Never arrive

early.
 Never arrive more than 15 minutes later than invited without
telephoning to explain you have been detained.

Send a handwritten thank you note the following day to thank your
hostess for her hospitality.

Relationships & Communications

Germans do not need a personal relationship in order to do business.

They will be interested in your academic credentials and the amount of

time your company has been in business.

Germans display great deference to people in authority, so it is

imperative that they understand your level relative to their own.

Germans do not have an open-door policy. People often work with their
office door closed. Knock and wait to be invited in before entering.

German communication is formal.

Business Meeting

Appointments are mandatory and should be made 1 to 2 weeks in

advance.

Letters should be addressed to the top person in the functional area,

including the person's name as well as their proper business title.

If you write to schedule an appointment, the letter should be written in

German.

Punctuality is taken extremely seriously. If you expect to be delayed,

telephone immediately and offer an explanation. It is extremely rude to
cancel a meeting at the last minute and it could jeopardize your
business relationship.

Meetings are generally formal.

Initial meetings are used to get to know each other. They allow your
German colleagues to determine if you are trustworthy.

Meetings adhere to strict agendas, including starting and ending times.

 Maintain direct eye contact while speaking.

PHILIPPINES Culture, Customs and Etiquettes

Filipino Family Values

The family is the centre of the social structure and includes the nuclear
family, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and honorary relations
such as godparents, sponsors, and close family friends.

People get strength and stability from their family. As such, many
children have several godparents.

Concern for the extended family is seen in the patronage provided to

family members when they seek employment.

It is common for members of the same family to work for the same
company.

In fact, many collective bargaining agreements state that preferential

hiring will be given to family members.

Filipino Concept of Shame

Hiya is shame and is a motivating factor behind behaviour.

It is a sense of social propriety and conforming to societal norms of

behaviour.

Filipinos believe they must live up to the accepted standards of

behaviour and if they fail to do so they bring shame not only upon
themselves, but also upon their family.

One indication of this might be a willingness to spend more than they

can afford on a party rather than be shamed by their economic
circumstances.

If someone is publicly embarrassed, criticized, or does not live up to

expectations, they feel shame and lose self-esteem.

Meeting
 Initial greetings are formal and follow a set protocol of greeting the
eldest or most important person first.

A handshake, with a welcoming smile, is the standard greeting.

Close female friends may hug and kiss when they meet.

Use academic, professional, or honorific titles and the person's

surname until you are invited to use their first name, or even more
frequently, their nickname.

Gift Giving

If you are invited to a Filipino home for dinner bring sweets or flowers
to the hosts.

If you give flowers, avoid chrysanthemums and white lilies.

You may send a fruit basket after the event as a thank you but not
before or at the event, as it could be interpreted as meaning you do
not think that the host will provide sufficient hospitality.

Wrap gifts elegantly as presentation is important. There are no colour

restrictions as to wrapping paper.

Gifts are not opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

If you are invited to a Filipino's house:

It is best to arrive 15 to 30 minutes later than invited for a large party.

Never refer to your host's wife as the hostess. This has a different
meaning in the Philippines.

Dress well. Appearances matter and you will be judged on how you
dress.

Compliment the hostess on the house.

 Send a handwritten thank you note to the hosts in the week following
the dinner or party. It shows you have class.

Business Etiquette & Protocol

Relationships & Communication

Filipinos thrive on interpersonal relationships, so it is advisable to be

introduced by a third party.

It is crucial to network and build up a cadre of business associates you

can call upon for assistance in the future.

Business relationships are personal relationships, which mean you may

be asked to do favours for colleagues, and they will fully expect you to
ask them for favours in return.

Business Meeting

Appointments are required and should be made 3 to 4 weeks in

advance.

It is a good idea to reconfirm a few days prior to the meeting, as

situations may change.

Avoid scheduling meetings the week before Easter.

Punctuality is expected. For the most part your Filipino colleagues will
be punctual as well.

Face-to-face meetings are preferred to other, more impersonal

methods such as the telephone, fax, letter or email.

Send an agenda and informational materials in advance of the meeting

so your colleagues may prepare for the discussion.

JAPAN Culture, Customs and Etiquettes

Meeting

Greetings in Japan are very formal and ritualized.

It is important to show the correct amount of respect and deference to

someone based upon their status relative to your own.
 If at all possible, wait to be introduced.

It can be seen as impolite to introduce yourself, even in a large

gathering.

While foreigners are expected to shake hands, the traditional form of

greeting is the bow. How far you bow depends upon your relationship
to the other person as well as the situation. The deeper you bow, the
more respect you show.

A foreign visitor ('gaijin') may bow the head slightly, since no one
expects foreigners to generally understand the subtle nuances of
bowing.

Gift Giving

Gift-giving is highly ritualistic and meaningful.

The ceremony of presenting the gift and the way it is wrapped is as

important--sometimes more important--than the gift itself.

Gifts are given for many occasions.

The gift need not be expensive, but take great care to ask someone
who understands the culture to help you decide what type of gift to
give.

Good quality chocolates or small cakes are good ideas.

Dining

On the rare occasion you are invited to a Japanese house:

Remove your shoes before entering and put on the slippers left at the
doorway.

Leave your shoes pointing away from the doorway you are about to
walk through.

Arrive on time or no more than 5 minutes late if invited for dinner.

 If invited to a large social gathering, arriving a little bit later than the
invitation is acceptable, although punctuality is always appreciated.

Unless you have been told the event is casual, dress as if you were
going into the office.

If you must go to the toilet, put on the toilet slippers and remove them
when you are finished.

Business Etiquette and Protocol in Japan

Relationships & Communication

The Japanese prefer to do business on the basis of personal

relationships.

In general, being introduced or recommended by someone who already

has a good relationship with the company is extremely helpful as it
allows the Japanese to know how to place you in a hierarchy relative to
themselves.

One way to build and maintain relationships is with greetings /

seasonal cards.

It is important to be a good correspondent as the Japanese hold this in

high esteem.

Business Meeting

Appointments are required and, whenever possible, should be made

several weeks in advance.

It is best to telephone for an appointment rather than send a letter, fax

or email.

Punctuality is important. Arrive on time for meetings and expect your

Japanese colleagues will do the same.

Since this is a group society, even if you think you will be meeting one
person, be prepared for a group meeting.
 The most senior Japanese person will be seated furthest from the door,
with the rest of the people in descending rank until the most junior
person is seated closest to the door.

It may take several meetings for your Japanese counterparts to

become comfortable with you and be able to conduct business with
you.

This initial getting to know you time is crucial to laying the foundation
for a successful relationship.

CANADA Culture, Customs and Etiquettes

Meeting and Greeting

The most common greeting is the handshake.

It should be firm and accompanied by direct eye contact and a sincere

smile.

Wait until invited before using someone's first name although

Canadians tend to move to a first-name basis rapidly.

French Canadian friends may greet each other by lightly kissing on the
cheeks (once on the left cheek and once on the right).

If using French in Quebec always use the formal pronoun "vous" (you)
when speaking to someone and do not switch to the informal "tu"
unless invited to do so.

Gift Giving

In general, Canadians give gifts for birthdays and Christmas.

If invited to someone's home for dinner, take a box of good chocolates,

flowers or a bottle of wine.

In Quebec, sending flowers in advance of the dinner party is proper

protocol.

In Quebec, if you give wine, make sure it is of the highest quality you
can afford.

Do not give white lilies as they are used at funerals.

 Do not give cash or money as a present.

Gifts are usually opened when received.

Dining

Table manners are relatively relaxed and informal in Canada.

Quebec does see a little more formality.

Table manners are generally Continental, i.e. the fork is held in the left
hand and the knife in the right while eating.

Wait to be shown to your seat.

Do not begin eating until the hostess starts.

Do not rest your elbows on the table.

Feel free to refuse individual foods or drink without offering an

explanation.

Leaving a small amount at the end of the meal is generally acceptable.

In formal situations, the host gives the first toast. An honoured guest
should return the toast later in the meal. Women may give toasts.

Business Etiquette and Protocol

Meeting and Greeting

Canadian businesspeople often begin relationships in a reserved

manner; once people get to know one another is becomes friendly and
informal.

Canadians appreciate politeness and expect others to adhere to the

proper protocol for any given situation.

Shake hands with everyone at the meeting upon arrival and departure.
 Maintain eye contact while shaking hands.

Men may offer their hand to a woman without waiting for her to extend
hers first.

Honorific titles and surnames are usually not used.

However, academic titles are important in Quebec and are used with
the honorific Monsieur or Madame.

Business cards are exchanged after the initial introduction.

In Quebec, have one side of your business card translated into French.
Hand the card so the French side faces the recipient.

Examine any card you receive before putting it in your card case.

OTHER BIZARRE NATIONAL CUSTOMS AROUND THE WORLD

1. CZECH REPUBLIC: smacking women with a special whip at Easter.

On Easter Monday men go from house to house lightly whipping the women
with braided willow branches called pomlzka (korb in Slovak) to,
apparently, imbue them with fertility.
2. UK: saluting lone magpies.

Magpies are ill omens in British folklore - its one for sorrow, two for mirth,
according to the old Lincolnshire nursery rhyme. Thats why, in many parts of
the UK, if you see a single magpie you can mitigate the bad luck it brings by
greeting it with the salutation, Good morning Mr Magpie, and how is your
lady wife today?
3. NETHERLANDS: congratulating the entire family on someones birthday.

In Dutch tradition, you congratulate the relatives on someones birthday, as

well as the person whose birthday it is. And for the birthday party, everyone
sits in a giant circle for tea and cake.
4. POLAND: applauding when the plane lands.

Nobody seems to know exactly why this is a characteristic peculiar to Polish

people. Maybe its just because the ground is pretty awesome.
5. SCOTLAND: Wearing skirts and reciting poetry once a year.

On 25 January people all over Scotland (and in other parts of the UK) tune up
their bagpipes and get gussied up in their finest tartan to celebrate Burns
Night, which commemorates the life of legendary Scots poet Robert Burns.
Festivities include ceilidh (pronounced kaylee) dancing, and platefuls of
haggis (offal in sheep intestine, in case you were wondering).
6. RUSSIA: having a sit-down before leaving on a trip.

Whether its a family excursion or just one persons journey, entire Russian
households will sit down for a few minutes before the trip to ward against
bad luck (also a good idea if youre prone to leaving your keys at home).
7. USA: listening to a weather-forecasting rodent.

On 2 February, the people of Punxsatawney, Pennsylvania gather to observe

a groundhog called Phil emerge from his burrow. If Phil sees his shadow,
there will be six more weeks of winter. If not, you can expect an early spring.
Groundhog Day dates back to 1886, and apparently there has only been one
Punxsatawney Phil. He owes his great age to a closely guarded punch recipe.
8. ESTONIA: Going into the forest with your crush to look for fern blossoms.

Midsummer, or Jaanipaev in Estonian, is an excuse for young couples to

disappear into the woods to be alone. Later in the evening, theyll build a
bonfire and jump over it.
9. AUSTRIA: Pulling fingers.

In Austria, Fingerhakeln - or competitive finger-pulling - is a serious sport,

with very strict rules. Finger-athletes aim to drag their opponent across the
table by just the finger. Fingerhakeln is also played in Bavaria in Germany.
10. DENMARK: Throwing cinnamon at single people.

If, by the time you turn 25, youre unmarried, you can expect your friends to
ambush you with a cinnamon shower all day. Thats bad enough, but if youre
still single at 30, they cover you in pepper.
11. FRANCE: buying funny hats for your unmarried friends.

25 November is St Catherines Day in France, and all unmarried 25-year-old

women (or Catherinettes) are given elaborate green and yellow hats, which
they must wear all day.
12. GERMANY: Cleaning on your thirtieth birthday.

If youre still unmarried at 30 in Germany, dont expect any special

treatment. Unmarried women are expected to clean their friends doorknobs
with toothbrushes, while men have to sweep up, although a kiss from
someone of the opposite gender could excuse you from these chores.
13. MEXICO: Shoving your face into your birthday cake.

At Mexican birthday parties, once the cake has been brought out and
everyone has sung happy birthday, youre encouraged to take the first bite
of your cake. At which someone will inevitably push your face into the icing,
and youre not allowed to get angry, because its tradition.