Understanding the folk culture and business etiquette of the destination is one of the key factors for the success of the exhibition. Customs and habits vary from country to country, and respect for local culture during the exhibition will not only help you win business trust, but also open up more cooperation opportunities for you. We provide you with a cultural guide to the world's major exhibition regions to help you navigate international business.
Basic Etiquette Norms in Business Intercourse in Various Regions
A handshake is a common form of formal greeting. Business occasions usually call the position and surname, such as "Wang". Pass the business card with both hands and express your gratitude.
Attach importance to harmony and respect, pay attention to "face". The pleasantries before the meeting are important. Decision-making usually requires multiple parties, and patience is necessary.
Business banquets are often in the form of a round table. The host will arrange seats, usually VIP facing the door. According to local custom, there may be a toast.
Avoid giving gifts with unlucky meanings such as bells, umbrellas and scissors. The number 4 is homophonic with "death" in Chinese and should be avoided.
A bow is a traditional greeting, but a handshake is also accepted in international occasions. Exchanging business cards is extremely important and should be received with both hands and read carefully.
The first time, the first time, the first time.
Business dinners are often held in traditional or high-end restaurants. Do not insert chopsticks upright into the meal. Eating together enhances relationships.
Gifts should be beautifully packaged, avoid sending 4 or 9 pieces (with "death", "bitter" homophonic). It is not advisable to send sharp objects such as knives, which may imply a cut-off relationship.
Bowing and shaking hands are common greetings. Seniors should be treated with special respect, and business cards should be exchanged with both hands.
Strong sense of hierarchy, respect for seniors and superiors. Building relationships (jeong) is crucial to business success, and business dinners are common.
There may be more drinking links at business banquets. When drinking with elders should be sideways, showing respect. It is not advisable to put elbows on the table during meals.
Avoid sending green hats (suggesting infidelity) or packing in green. Don't write your name in red pen (South Korea traditionally used to write the name of the deceased).
A handshake is a common business greeting. Chinese, Malays and Indians have their own traditional greetings, but international etiquette is usually used in business occasions.
Respect the multicultural environment and pay attention to the customs of different ethnic groups. Singapore's business environment is formal and efficient. The Thai business environment is more interpersonal.
Business dinners are often held in high-end restaurants or hotels. Respect all religious dietary taboos (e. g. Muslims do not eat pork, Hindus may be vegetarian).
Avoid sending sharp objects. Avoid alcohol or pigskin products when giving gifts to Muslims. Avoid sending cowhide products when interacting with Indians.
A handshake is the standard greeting, and eye contact indicates honesty. Use title and surname titles, such as "Dr. Schmidt", until a relationship of trust is established.
Emphasis on punctuality, directness and efficiency. The meeting has a clear agenda and is free from small talk. Business relationships are built on professional competence rather than personal relationships.
Business lunch is more common than dinner. The knife and fork do not leave the hand when eating. Formal occasions usually need to wait for the host to invite the start of the meal.
Business gifts are not common, but small meeting gifts or corporate souvenirs are appropriate. Red roses have romantic connotations and are not suitable for business occasions.
A light handshake is a standard greeting. The first meeting is addressed by surname, plus "Monsieur" or "Madame". Social pleasantries before a business conversation are important.
Emphasis on communication skills and logic. The discussions were open and frank. Decisions are usually made by top managers, and discussions are more of an exchange of information.
Business lunches and dinners are important and may last for several hours. It is normal to discuss business at dinner. Praise the food is respect for the owner.
If invited to the home, flowers (not red roses) or high-quality chocolate is appropriate. Avoid expensive gifts that appear excessive.
The handshake was short and strong. Maintain appropriate social distance. The British value implicit humor and etiquette, but avoid overly direct personal issues.
Business contacts are relatively conservative and formal. Meetings usually have a clear agenda but do not exclude discussion. Decisions can be slow and cautious.
Business breakfast and lunch are more common. When eating, the tableware is put down to indicate a pause, and the cross is placed to indicate the end of the meal. Bar culture is important in socializing.
Business gifts are not common, but small practical gifts are acceptable. Expensive gifts can be embarrassing.
A warm handshake is accompanied by eye contact. Italians are fastidious about their dress and first impressions are important. Social distance is closer and there is more physical contact in conversation.
Relationship-oriented business culture, building trust is important. Meetings may not be strictly on the agenda, and it is common for multiple people to speak at the same time.
Business catering is an important way to build relationships. Dinner usually starts after 8 and may last for several hours. Elbows can be placed on the table during meals.
If invited to the home, it is appropriate to bring wine, dessert or flowers. Avoid sending chrysanthemums (associated with funerals) or red roses (with romantic connotations).
Hold a firm handshake and maintain eye contact. American business culture is more easygoing and quickly enters the stage of name matching. Proactively introducing yourself is the norm.
Pay attention to efficiency and direct communication. Meetings usually have a clear start and end time. The decision-making process is relatively fast, focusing on results and practicality.
Business breakfasts and lunches are common. It is standard practice to discuss business in a dining environment. After using the right hand cutlery, put it on the right side of the plate to indicate completion.
Business gifts are not common, but small souvenirs are acceptable. Large companies may have policies against receiving gifts. Avoid overly expensive or personal gifts.
A handshake is a standard business greeting. Canadians value courtesy and modesty and avoid being too aggressive. Note that there are French-speaking cultural differences in Quebec.
The business style is moderate and values consensus. Meetings usually take place on time and in an orderly manner. Less interruption, emphasis on equality and respect.
Business dining is similar to the United States, but may pay more attention to detail etiquette. Quebec food culture is closer to the French tradition.
Business gifts are not common, but small gifts are acceptable. In Quebec, it is polite to open a gift to the host on the spot.
A warm handshake or hug, possibly a veneer ceremony between ladies. Brazilians like to talk up close, and physical contact is common in social interaction.
Extreme emphasis on interpersonal relationships, building trust and friendship in business before. Meetings may not start on time and have a flexible schedule.
Business lunch may last more than 2 hours. Praise for food is respect for the owner. It is polite to keep your knife and fork in your hands during meals.
Avoid sending black or purple items (related to funerals). Sharp objects such as knives are seen in some areas as symbols of severing ties.
Men shake hands and acquaintances may clap shoulders. There may be veneer ceremonies between ladies or between the opposite sex. Use a position title to show respect.
Relationship-oriented business culture, personal connection is essential. Social communication before the meeting is indispensable. Decisions are usually made at the top.
Business lunches are important and may last for hours. The host will arrange seats and wait for the host to start eating before moving the chopsticks.
Avoid sending sharp objects and white flowers (associated with funerals). Company logo gifts or small gifts with their own national characteristics are more appropriate.
Same-sex handshakes may take longer. When dealing with a Muslim woman, wait for her to reach out first. The greeting "Assalamu alaikum" shows respect.
Relationship building is very important and social communication before the meeting is essential. Decisions may require multiple meetings. Respect local cultural and religious practices.
Pay attention to halal diet requirements and avoid pork and alcohol. The right hand is used for eating and passing food. Tea and coffee are an important part of hospitality.
Avoid alcoholic beverages and pigskin products. Knives may be seen as aggressive. High-quality office supplies or local specialties that are not readily available are appropriate.
Handshakes between men are gentle and may last longer. They don't usually shake hands with Muslim women. Use titles and surnames as a sign of respect.
Strict adherence to Islamic traditions. Business relationships are based on personal trust. Meetings may be interrupted many times, so be patient.
Follow the rules of halal diet. It is polite to accept an invitation for tea and coffee, and it usually takes three cups to be polite. Use your right hand only.
Avoid gifts related to religion. Do not send alcoholic food or drinks, and pigskin products. Avoid giving away figures such as statues.
A handshake is a common business greeting. Friendly eye contact is important. Use a professional title plus a surname to show respect, such as "doctor.
Business relationships are based on personal trust. Meetings may not start strictly on time, and social communication is important. Avoid rushing to talk business.
The right hand is traditionally used for eating. Turkish coffee is an important part of hospitality. Business people in big cities are familiar with international catering etiquette.
Avoid giving alcohol to devout Muslims. Turkish deli specialty sweets or local specialty tea sets are popular gifts.
A handshake is a common greeting. The business environment in Israel is easy-going and straightforward. Devout Jews may not shake hands with the opposite sex.
The business style is direct and informal. The meeting atmosphere was open and discussion and debate were encouraged. Decision-making is more rapid. Pay attention to religious holiday arrangements.
Pay attention to kosher eating rules (kosher). Pious Jews do not mix meat and dairy products. Sunset Friday to Saturday is the Sabbath.
Avoid non-kosher foods as gifts. High-quality office supplies or business gifts with characteristics are more appropriate.
Understand the core differences between cultural regions to help you navigate cross-cultural business
Region:Northern Europe, Germany, Switzerland, North America
Region:Southern Europe, Latin America, Middle East, most of Asia
Exhibiting in a single time culture area and arriving at the meeting place 5-10 minutes in advance. In multicultural time areas, be prepared to adjust your schedule and be flexible, but be punctual.
Region:Germany, Netherlands, Northern Europe, Israel, Australia
Region:East Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East, parts of Latin America
In the culture of indirect communication, learn to "listen to the sound" and pay attention to non-verbal cues. In a direct culture, direct feedback should not be seen as offensive, but as a sign of efficiency and honesty.
Region:Northern Europe, Australia, Canada, Netherlands
Region:East Asia, Middle East, India, Latin America
When participating in a hierarchical cultural area, ensure that representatives of the appropriate level are sent to communicate with each other and use official titles to address each other. Understand who the decision maker is and respect the decision chain.
Region:Germany, United Kingdom, United States, Northern Europe
Region:China, Middle East, Latin America, Southern Europe
Exhibiting in a relationship-oriented culture, allowing enough time to build relationships, accept social invitations, and demonstrate long-term willingness to cooperate. Be prepared to discuss personal topics such as family, interests, etc., but avoid politically sensitive topics.
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