While we all may start to feel a bit of the luck o’ the Irish coming on this time of year, it’s never good to depend on luck to get you through cultural differences when abroad. It’s important to educate yourself on the different countries and regions you are traveling to in order to avoid any cultural faux pas. While some might just be downright embarrassing, others could cost you the business deal you have been working on for months or even years. Below you’ll find an overview (in no particular order) of top faux pas committed so you can be sure to avoid and impress.
China is a booming business culture right now. Odds are if your company isn’t doing business with China yet, they will be in the future.
Among tips to avoid offense are:
• When giving and accepting business cards always do it with BOTH hands. Study the card as if it were the actual person and never write on it or put it in a pocket. Use a small card case. Essentially, show that card a bit of respect! This holds true in Japan as well.
• If you are dining with your Chinese host, never begin eating or drinking before they do.
• Stand up when people enter the room
• Avoid personal contact at all costs. Men- you must NEVER touch a woman in public.
• Allow the Chinese to leave a meeting first
• Do not discuss business at meals
Throughout many places in Asia there are a few big dining faux pas, some of which we would find extremely rude in North America.
Dining don’ts include:
• No burping during a meal signifies you did not enjoy it. Don’t hold those in, burping is a compliment!
• Don’t finish your meal. Always leave a little something on the plate. It shows the host that you are full. If your plate is clean they’ll assume they didn’t give you enough to eat.
• Don’t put your chopsticks straight up in your rice bowl. This position is reserved for funerals. Lay them gently to the side when taking a break.
• Make sure you do not point or wave your chopsticks around; if you often speak with your hands, put the chopsticks down before continuing conversation.
• Never tap your bowl with the chopsticks. Dinner is not a time for a one-man band.
American’s love using their hands to communicate. Some of our common signs mean very opposite things in the rest of the world, such as:
• Don’t use the peace sign in the U.K. or and other commonwealth nations. Basically, you’re giving them “the bird,” and they are highly offended by this.
• That “O.K.” signal we often make with our fingers and thumb is another one of those “bird” instances in Brazil.
• Don’t extend your hand and show your palm to people in Greece. Essentially, think about signaling the number five. This is highly offensive. The only thing worse is doing it with both hands. If you must signal the number five, do it with your palm facing you.
• It’s not okay to give the “thumbs up” sign in Iran or other parts of the Middle East. It generally translates to the foulest of all gesticular insults.
Handshakes are one of the most common ways to greet people or say goodbye. But, depending on the country you are in, make sure you do it the right way:
• If you are lucky enough to travel to Fiji on business, be prepared. This handshake can be intense by our standards. After the initial downward motion, your hands could remain clasped for the duration of the conversation. There is nothing quick about this handshake.
• In Russia, never shake hands while crossing a threshold. This is considered unlucky. Wait to do anything (even the European cheek kiss) until you are fully in or they are fully out of the door.
• Regardless of whether you are right-handed or left-handed, never shake with your left hand in the Indian subcontinent or the Middle East. Avoid eating with your left hand, too. This hand is reserved for tasks that most Westerners perform with toilet paper.
• In the Middle East and Vietnam, inter-gender handshakes are not allowed.
• In Austria, make sure you shake hands with everyone in the room. It doesn’t matter the gender or who they are, just shake.
There are many more cultural faux pas out there. Before you head to a country, research them. The more you know the better chances you have of earning the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Kelli Steckbauer is the director of global business for MG Design, an exhibit design, event planning and management services provider.
