Why "manners" are just as important as "skills".“
In the global workplace, skill alone is not enough; understanding is essential. Business culture And neglecting professional etiquette as part of business communication skills can unknowingly cause you to miss out on great opportunities.
Many organizations have experienced cases of "near-deal" collapsing due to minor issues, such as:
- Using overly blunt language in a culture that values gentleness.
- They don't understand the hierarchy of the other party.
- Or perhaps it's rushing the decision-making process too quickly in a culture that values time.
Negotiation phrases and techniques, adapted to suit different cultures, can be found at... Negotiation Language (English)
This is called... Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Or the ability to understand and adapt to different cultures, which is one of the key skills. Working with foreigners In the present era
Framework for Understanding Business Culture (Hofstede Dimensions)
Understanding Business etiquette It's not just about memorizing manners, but also understanding the "mindset" of each culture. You can compare the scores for each dimension of different countries here. The Culture Factor Country Comparison Tool (formerly Hofstede Insights)
Individualism vs. Collectivism
- Individualist (US, UK): Focus on individual performance; make quick decisions.
- Collectivist (Japan, Korea, Thailand): Emphasize teamwork and consensus.
Insight:
If you're working with a Japanese team, pressuring them to "make an immediate decision" might jeopardize the deal.
Power Distance
- High Power Distance (Asia, Middle East): Respect the hierarchy.
- Low Power Distance (Northern Europe): Open to debate.
In some cultures, arguing with your boss in front of others is considered disrespectful.
High-context vs Low-context Communication
- High-context (Japanese, Thai): Speaking indirectly; reading between the lines.
- Low-context (American, German): Speaking directly and clearly.
This is the heart of... Cross-cultural communication
Direct vs Indirect
- Direct: “That won't work.”
- Indirect: “That might be challenging.”
Using direct style with Asians might damage the relationship.
Monochronic vs Polychronic Time
- Monochronic: Punctual; doing one thing at a time.
- Polychronic: Flexible, emphasizes relationships.
But the universal rule is: "You should always be on time."“
8 Basic Etiquette Rules You Need to Know
1. Greeting and shaking hands.
- West: Firm handshake + eye contact
- Japan: Curve
- Thai: Wai (Thai greeting)
- Middle East: Long-standing handshake.
Caution: Some cultures do not allow shaking hands with the opposite sex.
2. Exchanging business cards.
- Japan: Use two hands + Read before storing.
- Western: Not very strict.
Business cards represent you across cultures.
3. Naming.
- US: Use your first name.
- Germany: Use Mr./Ms. + surname.
- Asia: Use location.
The same principle applies to writing emails — choosing a greeting based on the recipient's culture, see... A guide to writing professional English emails.
4. Punctuality.
- Germany/Japan: Arrive early.
- US/UK: On time.
- Some countries: flexible
But for you → "On time = international standard"“
5. Dress code
- Corporate: Formal
- Startup: Business casual
The simple rule: Dress "overly formally."“
6. Giving gifts.
- Japan: Places great importance on this.
- China: There is a belief in symbolism.
- US: Not necessary.
7. Business lunches.
- Don't start talking about work right away.
- The host usually pays.
- Observe the host's behavior primarily.
8. Small Talk
Can speak:
- food
- travel
- sport
avoid:
- politics
- religion
- money
Tips for starting small talk at networking events and how to keep conversations smooth. Check it out here. Networking Excellence: Build business networks using English.
Cultural differences in the 5 main regions.
America: Straightforward, Fast, Clear
- “Get to the point”
- Make a quick decision.
- Use your real name.
Suitable for straightforward communication.
Europe: Polite and structured.
- German: data-driven
- UK: polite but indirect
- Nordics: equality
Japan: Harmony is paramount.
- Emphasize harmony.
- “Yes” = Acknowledge, not agree.
- Decision-making is slow, but action is swift.
Korea: Clear seniority order.
- Respect seniority.
- There is a culture of socializing.
Middle East: Relationship-first
- Build trust first.
- Take time
- Religion has an impact on business.
Different meeting cultures.
- Some countries: top-down
- Some countries: consensus
Common misconceptions:
“"Not speaking = disagreeing" (but maybe they're just not ready to speak yet.)
For tips on eliciting input from international teams in a meeting and controlling the flow of the discussion, see... Meeting Leadership: Speaking to project leadership skills during English meetings.
Communication styles that Thai people often misunderstand.
- “Maybe” (US) = Maybe not
- “Interesting” (UK) = May disagree.
- “Yes” (Japan) = I heard you.
This is the nuance of. Cross-cultural communication Erin Meyer explains this in detail in an article. Harvard Business Review's Navigating the Cultural Minefield
7 Universal Workplace Taboos
- Discussing politics/religion.
- Ask about the salary.
- Inappropriate touching.
- That was too blunt a refusal.
- Late
- Criticizing in front of other people.
- The gesture was used inappropriately.
Checklist before meeting with international clients.
- Study the country's culture.
- Check the time zone.
- Prepare for small talk.
- Understanding hierarchy.
FAQ
What should you do if you behave impolitely?
Apologize politely and correct the situation immediately.
Good intentions are more important than perfection.
Do we have to learn about every culture?
unnecessary
Learn the “principles” and apply them.
Does working from home change manners?
Change some parts, such as:
- Turning on the camera
- Punctuality online
But "politeness" remains the same.
Work with confidence internationally by starting with understanding their culture.
Development Business culture and International etiquette It not only helps you "not miss out," but also helps you "stand out" on the international stage.
Once you understand both the language and the culture, you will be able to...
- Build relationships faster.
- Communicate more deeply.
- And it makes closing deals easier.
Start developing your business etiquette and cross-cultural communication skills with... Business English course Designed for practical use in international organizations.
