Business Etiquette In the Asian Country

Japan ※Business cards exchange In Japan, business cards are called meishi. Japanese give and receive meishi with both hands. It should be printed in your home language on one side and Japanese on the other. Present the card with the Japanese language side up. Take special care in handling cards that are given to you. Do not write on the card. Do not put the card in you pocket or wallet. Upon receipt of the card, it is important to examine the card carefully as a show of respect.

※Bows and Handshakes The customary greeting is the bow. However, some Japanese may greet you with a handshake, albeit a weak one. Do not misinterpret a weak handshake as an indication of character.   If you are greeted with a bow, return with a bow as low as the one you received. How low you bow determines the status of the relationship between you and the other individual. When you bow keep your eyes low and your palms flat next to your thighs. The business card should be given after the bow. This is very important to remember.

※Entertainment Drinking is an important part of Japanese culture. It is a way to relieve business stress. Never pour a drink yourself; always allow someone else to do it for you. Most business entertaining is done in restaurants or bars after business hours. Often in karaoke or "hostess bars." Businesswomen should not attend "hostess bars.“Business may be discussed at dinner during these events. Japanese rarely entertain in the home. If you are invited to the home of your Japanese host, consider it a great honor and display a tremendous amount of appreciation. It is perfectly acceptable to slurp your noodles. Doing so will exhibit your enjoyment of your food. To do otherwise, indicates that your meal was not a pleasant one.

※Dress Casual dress is never appropriate in a business setting. Shoes should be easy to remove, as you will do so often. Slip-ons are the best choice. Women’s dress should be conservative. Little emphasis should be placed on accessories. They should be minimal.Women should not wear pants in a business situation. Japanese men tend to find it offensive. Women should only wear low-heeled shoes to avoid towering over men. A kimono should be wrapped left over right to do otherwise symbolizes death.

TIPS Tipping is not expected. The Japanese prefer to use last names. 14 is bad luck, because in Japanese it sounds like the word for death. Japanese don’t like talking about War 2. Japanese prefer not to use the word no

China ※Relationships & Communication . The Chinese don't like doing business with companies they don't know. Business relationships are built formally after the Chinese get to know you. Be very patient. It takes a considerable amount of time and is bound up with enormous bureaucracy. The Chinese prefer face-to-face meetings rather than written or telephonic communication. Meals and social events are not the place for business discussions. There is a demarcation between business and socializing in China, so try to be careful not to intertwine the two.

※Business Meeting Etiquette Appointments are necessary and, if possible, should be made between one-to-two months in advance, preferably in writing. You should arrive at meetings on time or slightly early. The Chinese view punctuality as a virtue. Send an agenda before the meeting so your Chinese colleagues have the chance to meet with any technical experts prior to the meeting. Written material should be available in both English and Chinese, using simplified characters. Presentations should be detailed and factual and focus on long-term benefits. Be prepared for the presentation to be a challenge.

※What to Wear? Business attire is conservative and unpretentious. Men should wear dark colour, conservative business suits. Women should wear conservative business suits or dresses with a high neckline. Women should wear flat shoes or shoes with very low heels. Bright colours should be avoided.

※Business Cards Business cards are exchanged after the initial troduction. Have one side of your business card translated into Chinese using simplified Chinese characters that are printed in gold ink since gold is an auspicious colour. Your business card should include your title. If your company is the oldest or largest in your country, that fact should be on your card as well. Hold the card in both hands when offering it, Chinese side facing the recipient. Never write on someone's card unless so directed.

Other countries Vietnam（越南） Vietnamese don’t like people touch his shoulder or being pointed when you are talking with him. Specially,children here should not be touched at will. Philippines（菲律宾） Filipinos don’t like the number 13 and they avoid using left hand handing food or other things.

Qatar（卡塔尔） Qatari don’t like exchanging gifts at first meeting,especially they can’t accept wine or woman’s photo as a gift. Sri lanka （斯里兰卡） Sri lankan Buddhist(佛教徒) don’t eat anything after 12 o’clock.They think appointment before meeting is very important.

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