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Tips for a better cooperative relationship
Doing business in other countries can be a tricky proposition, but here are a few regional pointers from Vietnam Manpower that might help you avoid cultural faux pas and save face.
Canada
Canadians are more reserved than Americans. Maintaining a certain amount of personal space is important.
It’s considered bad form by many in Quebec to talk with your hands in your pockets.
Punctuality is demanded business meetings and social occasions.
Canadians get down to business quickly. Meetings are well-organized, and extraneous discussion is kept to a minimum. A premium is placed on time.
Some Canadians may be wary about the intentions of American businesses and put off by what they perceive as American arrogance. Some Canadians may dislike the American “hard sell” approach.
China
Shake hands upon meeting. Chinese may nod or bow instead of shaking hands, although shaking hands has become increasingly common.
Use family names and appropriate titles until specifically invited by your Chinese host or colleagues to use their given names.
The Chinese dislike being touched by strangers. Do not touch, hug, lock arms, back slap or make any body contact.
Business cards should be printed in English on one side and Chinese on the other. Make sure the Chinese side uses “simplified” characters and not “classical” characters, which are used in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
The Chinese will enter a meeting with the highest-ranking person entering first. They will assume the first member of your group to enter the room is the leader of your delegation.
German
At a business or social meeting, shake hands with everyone present when arriving and leaving.
When introducing yourself, never use your title. Introduce yourself by your last name only.
Never put your hands in your pockets when talking with someone.
Tardiness is viewed as thoughtless and rude. Call with an explanation if you are delayed.
Send company profiles, personal profiles, etc., to German colleagues before your visit to establish credibility.
India
Men shake hands with men when meeting or leaving. Men do not touch women when meeting or greeting. Western women may offer their hand to a westernized Indian man, but not normally to others. Traditional Indian women may shake hands with foreign women but not usually with men.
Indians generally allow an arm’s length space between themselves and others.
Use your right hand only to touch someone, pass money or pick up merchandise. The left hand is considered unclean.
Always present business cards when introduced. English is appropriate.
It is considered rude to plunge into business discussions immediately. Ask about your counterpart’s family, interests, hobbies, etc., before beginning business discussions
Canada
Canadians are more reserved than Americans. Maintaining a certain amount of personal space is important.
It’s considered bad form by many in Quebec to talk with your hands in your pockets.
Punctuality is demanded business meetings and social occasions.
Canadians get down to business quickly. Meetings are well-organized, and extraneous discussion is kept to a minimum. A premium is placed on time.
Some Canadians may be wary about the intentions of American businesses and put off by what they perceive as American arrogance. Some Canadians may dislike the American “hard sell” approach.
China
Shake hands upon meeting. Chinese may nod or bow instead of shaking hands, although shaking hands has become increasingly common.
Use family names and appropriate titles until specifically invited by your Chinese host or colleagues to use their given names.
The Chinese dislike being touched by strangers. Do not touch, hug, lock arms, back slap or make any body contact.
Business cards should be printed in English on one side and Chinese on the other. Make sure the Chinese side uses “simplified” characters and not “classical” characters, which are used in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
The Chinese will enter a meeting with the highest-ranking person entering first. They will assume the first member of your group to enter the room is the leader of your delegation.
German
At a business or social meeting, shake hands with everyone present when arriving and leaving.
When introducing yourself, never use your title. Introduce yourself by your last name only.
Never put your hands in your pockets when talking with someone.
Tardiness is viewed as thoughtless and rude. Call with an explanation if you are delayed.
Send company profiles, personal profiles, etc., to German colleagues before your visit to establish credibility.
India
Men shake hands with men when meeting or leaving. Men do not touch women when meeting or greeting. Western women may offer their hand to a westernized Indian man, but not normally to others. Traditional Indian women may shake hands with foreign women but not usually with men.
Indians generally allow an arm’s length space between themselves and others.
Use your right hand only to touch someone, pass money or pick up merchandise. The left hand is considered unclean.
Always present business cards when introduced. English is appropriate.
It is considered rude to plunge into business discussions immediately. Ask about your counterpart’s family, interests, hobbies, etc., before beginning business discussions
