The Star Alliance Network � Monocle

A Global Guide toBusiness EtiquetteIllustrated by Satoshi Hashimoto

The Star Alliance Network � Monocle

A Global Guide toBusiness EtiquetteIllustrated by Satoshi Hashimoto

A Meeting of Minds:25 tips for international business networking

Every day, the Star Alliance network isresponsible for 18,100 flights transporting1.2m people to 975 global destinations.When travelling for business, cultural andlocal knowledge smoothes the way formutual understanding and strongcommercial relationships. The joint expertiseof the world’s best airlines makes achievingthis a seamless affair; below are a fewpointers to set you on the right track.

01 : JAPAN

— Save the best seatfor the boss: in taxis andprivate rides alike, theJapanese observe a stricthierarchical seating planwhere the best seat in ataxi is behind the driver.If your customer’s driving,the highest-rankedperson must sit alongsideto show respect.

02 : INDIA

— In India, punctualityvaries according to whereyou are. Traffic in Mumbaimeans that being slightlylate is more acceptablethan in a government citylike Delhi, which operateslike clockwork. Checkthe local custom beforeyou arrive.

03 : RUSSIA

— In Russia, womendo not normally expect tobe greeted duringintroductions. This ischanging as more peopletravel, however, so beready to follow yourhost’s lead.

04 : CANADA

— In Canada, drinkingalcohol is not usualduring business lunches.Stick to water unless yourhost suggests otherwise.

03

01

04

02

05 : CHINA

— In China, tasteeverything you’re offeredduring meals – but neverclear your plate as yourhost will assume you’restill hungry. Don’t talkbusiness during meals.

06 : INDIA

— Indians don’t liketo say no to a request.If they are unable to dosomething, you areunlikely to get a directrefusal. Similarly, use tactand subtlety if you needto explain why a businessproposal is not possible.

07 : JAPAN

— In Japan, alwayshave a business cardclose to hand. And whenan associate gives youtheir card, handle itwith care.

08 : USA

— Americans like tobe relaxed and those incharge are keen to relivethe easygoing businesspractices of the 1960s.So drop the formalitybut, of course, keepyour manners.

09 : CHINA

— Using only aforefinger is an emptygesture in China: makinga point requires the wholehand. Don’t go furtherthan that though – aback-slap is consideredinappropriate.

05

06

07

08

09

10 : CHINA

— In China, startersare served as severalsmall dishes on a plate.Start from the left and eatyour way to the right, asthe flavour of dishesincreases in intensityalong the way.

11 : BRAZIL

— Don’t put yourbriefcase or bag on theground in Brazil: nationalsecurity measures haveinformed the nationalpsyche, so place it ona chair or a hook.

12 : MIDDLE EAST

—Women can avoidembarrassment in theMiddle East by waitingto follow their malehost’s lead when beingintroduced. Women mightnot be taken seriously atfirst, and some men mayplace their own hand ontheir chest rather thantaking yours.

13 : SWEDEN

— Be prepared fora detailed debatein Sweden: theScandinavians love ameeting. Push it forwardby setting dates, tasksand times, and don’t besurprised if a furthermeeting is required. Oncesomething is agreedupon, it’s carried out withspeed and efficiency.

14 : JAPAN

— Always turn upon time: if you arrive aminute past the appointedhour it is consideredstrange, five minutesis a cause for concern.There is no word for“late” in Japanese.

15 : SWEDEN

— Toasting in Swedeninvolves eye contactbut no glass-touching.A “skol” and a nod toeveryone will do the trick.

10

11

13

14

15

12

19 : UK

— In the UK, small talkis an essential preambleto business talk. Theweather, the surroundingsor the day’s events are allacceptable topics. Afterskirting round the realreason you’ve met,everyone will be happyto attend to the matterin hand professionally.

20 : CHINA

— Don’t say no to aglass of baiju, the Chineseliquor of choice that isserved at all formaldinners. But drink withrestraint: draining yourglass will result in a refill.Leaving it half-full isperfectly acceptable.

16 : SINGAPORE

— In Singapore,modesty is key.Overconfident behaviourwill not impress and willnot produce goodworking relationships.

17 : GERMANY

— At mealtimes inGermany, fold your napkinat the left side of yourplate when you are done,and lay your cutleryparallel on your plate,with the handles on theright-hand side, to showyou have finished.

18 : USA

— In the US be readyto produce proof of youridentity. Increasedsecurity means photo IDis required to accessmany office buildings, sodon’t be offended whenyou’re asked.

16

18

17

19

20

21 : THAILAND

— In Thailand, don’ttouch or pass anythingover a person’s head, asin Thai culture the head issacred. However, peopleoften stand very closeand touch each otheron the arm when talking.Pointing is done with anopen right hand, andbeckoning with the palmfacing downward anda waggle of the fingers.

22 : NORWAY

— Norwegians like totalk directly anddeliberately. They tend tostick to the facts, and donot like being rushed.

23 : DENMARK

— In Denmark, womenare greeted before themen. Danes tend to useonly their first names.Personal hellos andgoodbyes are requiredfor everyone present.

24 : CHINA

— Like Japan, Chinaplaces great emphasis onseating hierarchy. Theleader of your delegationwill be seated at a roundtable next to the leader oftheirs, and the pattern willfollow all the way down.

25 : FRANCE

— The Frenchsometimes give theirsurnames first whenbeing formally introduced,and it can be consideredrude to call a colleagueby their first names. Toavoid confusion, find outtheir names beforehand.Use “vous” rather than“tu”, unless invitedotherwise, and neveruse “mademoiselle” toaddress a grown woman.

21

22

24

25

23

Find out more at staralliance.com