General Protocol

Country

China Fiji

Hong Kong

India

Indonesia

General Protocol

Names/greetings

tipping anyone is an insult , although exceptions are starting to appear.

slight and handshake/ full title

respectful friendliness and remove your shoes in house reserved and formal, Avoid conflicts that would cause the Chineese to loose face Having lot of business cards!

smile or raised-eyesbrows

Sikhs wear turban, not smoke, eat beef and cut their hair remove shoes inside

handshakes for men and do not touch a women

Handshakes and business cards presented with both hands

respect of individual, Handshake remove shoes Buseness dealing are long, slow, and frustrating

Japan

A long lob bow is used as greeting and first names Remove shoes in japanese are not used unless homes although it is not people are very close. necessary in western style Buisness cards are buildings exchanged frequently.

Malaysia

Handshake between men Remove shoes before is common but between entering mosque or home women and men a slight of the Malays also remove bow or nod is more your sunglasses / litering is common. Have your a strong offense buisness card ready.

New Zealand

Tipping is not common and will often be refused. Maintaining a formal aire is standard untill a relaxed atmosphere has been established.

Shake hands on meeting and leaving. Wait for women to offer their hand first.

Pakistan

The Phillipines

Common greeting is a Men are often invited to handshake. Close friends dinner without their wife may embrace. A man and will often arrive with should not shake hands out her if she is invited. with a woman or touch Most traditional foods are her in public.Use last eaten by hand and only the name and title when right hand is used. adressing a Pakistani. Americans and Europeans usually feel at home in the phillipines. Americans are well liked and the American lifestyle is emmulated. English is the language of government, buisness and Education.

People’s Republic of China Don’t give tipping Fiji

Hong Kong

India Indonesia Senegal

Tanzania Uganda

Complete names. Slight handshake

Remove shoes in the house Smile and raised Respectful friendliness eyebrows. Handshakes. Handshakes, business cards with both hands Avoid blue and white Many business cards Formal Orthodox people don’t Men to men, smoke, eat beef, or cit their handshaking. Men to hairs. Remove shoes in the women, don’t be seen in houses. public, don’t touch. Shoes removed in carpeted Hand shaking and a nod places, like mosques of the head are proper Don't eat with your left hand

South Africa

Handshakes are a common greeting between both sexes and a pat on the back for men is not uncommon.

Handshaking when introduced

Strict conventions and social rules regarding race and color. Follow your host's lead on these things Handshaking when introduced, also verbal greeting: jambo Handshaking common

Zambia

At dinner you should ask for food, as its seen impolite for the host to offer it first. It is also improper to refuse food.

Henri Hoffren

First name are used by close friend only

Poland Portugal

Romania

For men to greet each other with the embrace, Gratuities and appropriate For woman a kiss on both to tip an additional percent cheeks Only between close friends. In more formal setting use a person's title and surname

Russia Never drop anything

The Slovak Republic

shake hands and state his or her name when meeting someone for the first time.

Men who are close friend often give each other an abrazo. Woman friend greet and part with a slight embrace.

Spain

Sweden

Handshaking, with the left hand supporting the right. Use courtesy and professional titles. Avoid eye contact with opposite sex

Knowledge of the cultural differences among Sweden, Norway Denmark, and Finland is sign of thoughtfulness Customs in the two neighbors are likely to be more similar Thant not.

Finland Tipping in restaurants is rare.No taxi tipping

With a firm handshake.Hugs and kisses for close friends and family.Flowers for the hostess.Lots of alchol is consumed with dinners.Sauna is normal,even for guests.

FRANCE

GERMANY

Businessmen formal and conservative.French is a necessity.

A light handshake,but not to a person with superior authority.Cuisine is important,flowers and chocolate can be brought to hostess

still remnants of sensitivities from wars

Handshakes,titles,no first name basis at first.if invited to a home,men bring flowers.send a thank you note.

elderly are respected

Handshakes,embrace or kiss. Gestures:nod of the head-no.tilting the head:yes.smiling when angry.flowers or cake for the hostess if invited for dinner

no photographing of soldiers or military installations

Handshake;man should wait for a woman to do it first.if invited for dinner,take flowers or western liquor

Siks wear a turban No smoking, eat beaf or cut their hair.

Shake hands when meeting or leaving. Shake hand and bow when men greet women and no men touch other women that is not family

GREECE

HUNGARY

INDIA

INDONESIA

JAPAN

MALASYA

Ghana

society is based on respect not shoes in carpet or holy places handshake and a nod a long and low bow, exchangeing business shoes are removed but can cards is important and be worn in western style people use their family buldings names to call each other Remove shoes and sunglasses indoor, No men shake hands, women littering english is widely bow or nod and bussines spoken cards are exchaged alot. - difficult to find stereotypes; - avoid gesturing with your left hand - shake hands

Kenya Libya Moroco

-tip expected; ask people before taking pictures of them economy state controlled; inform you about health, visa ect.shoes in mosque, remove always offer to remove them when entering a home

Mozambique

shake hands

shake hands; friends kiss first names rarely used; use professional titles

Nigeria

Switzerland

Turkey

conservative, don't show off remove shoes before entering mosques+houses in countryside, dress conservatively

Yugoslavia

Africa

Algeria Ivory Coast

Egypt

Poland

north: follow Arabic protocoll; middle: black multicultures; south: follow Dutch/English protocoll handshaking, kissing on both cheeks (for women and men), title+last name

handshaking

friendship required before host welcomes many doing business times Customs: take flowers to First names only used by the hostess (red roses close friends denoted romantic love), consumption of hard liquors is typical at business and other meetings

Portugal

Tips of 10%. Not necessary Embrace between men, a to take a gift for the kiss on both cheeks hostess, return the favor by between women taking them to a restaurant.

Romania

Gifts for hosts (and family): perfume, cosmetics, flowers, jeans, coffee. Business men: inexpensive imprinted pens/lighters.

First name only between close friends. Formal settings: title and surname.

Crime for visitors to export art objects or change money with citizens. Never drop anything in the street.

They shake hands and state his/her name when meeting someone for the first time. Between friends: hugs and kiss on the cheeks.

Russia

Spain

People have dinner very Men: Embrace between late (restaurants usually close friends. Women: open at 21). Take flowers, kiss on both cheeks. cakes, or chocolates when you are invited to a dinner.

Sweden

Knowledge of the cultural differences among Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland is a sign of thoughtfulness.

Austria

Individualism is important Never call an Austrian a German Greet people in public even if you do not know them

Belgium

Bulgaria The Czech Republic Denmark

? But probably: handshake call people by their last name if you do not know them well

Privacy must be respected Cheek kissing 3 times embracing (also men) handshakes to greet and say good-bye to each person at a social or business gathering a 'nod' means "no" handshake a 'shake of the head' means "yes" don't take photographs in use professional title if museums or art galleries or the person has one of military installations Men: handshake should wait for a woman to offer her no tipping: taxi, hotel bills, hand handshake restaurant

England, Scotland, and Wales Middle East The Gulf States

Iran Iraq

avoid the word "English", use "British"

use honorary title (even among familiar aquaintances) increasingly common: use first names in business

Proper dress, respect the prayers they make 5x a day Say ‘Arabian’ gulf not Persian gulf

Handshakes, a kiss on both cheeks if inside someone’s house First, say salaam alaykum, then shake hands while saying kaif halak A handshake and slight bow, address hosts with last name or title

Appointments/ponctuality

Conversation

Wait a lot to have a business decision

top dif between china & the rest of the world

punctuality, Day to day life is more relaxed than in the West 30 minutes "courtesy time". However business man are ponctual

Top : personal experiences

punctuality is advisable

top : cultural achievements, indian traditions and foreign countries flop : personal affairs and indian's poverty and military expenditures.

punctualy is important but never emphased. Prior appointments are recommended

Flop : local politics, socialism and foreign aid

Punctuality is advisable in buisness and for social occasions

A phrase in Cantonese will be greatly admired, but be sure of your prononciation Top health or business Flop : politic in china

Do not talk about WW2

Prior appointments are Malaysians enjoy advisable. Punctuality is discussing general affairs, expected but not emphasized. family, sports and food.

Prior appointments are advisable and you should try to be a bit early.

Kiwis like to talk about politics, sports and weather. They enjoy foreigners with an understanding of their culture. DO NOT refer to them as being part of Australia.

Although Pakistanis are not time concious they will expect western visitors to arrive on time. Most buisnesses are closed on fridays. Avoid discussing politics.

Be punctual. Prior to appointment. Slow decision making. Recommended, but it is a more relaxed life

30 minutes courtesy time

Avoid: politics, religion, local conditions, corruption and foreign aid. They DO enjoy discussing family. Not accepted Gifts are appreciated. Be careful of not admire objects openly, they can give it to you Good: candies, fruit, cookies. Bad: clocks and scissors. Gifts given in new year, Chinese

Is advisable Candies and fruit, gifts for children

Prior to appointment

Accept flowers. Always accept them.

Prior appointments advisable. Punctuality recommended

Talk about achievements, goals and culture of the country. Avoid politics, religion and leaders

Prior appointments necessary. Punctuality strictly observed

Lots of talk about local politics and evolving racial and social policies Talk about National parks, African culture and international politics. Avoid prevailing political climate

Prior appointments and punctuality advisable

National and world affairs

A prior appointment is advisable, Talk about international although it won't guarantee the politics. Avoid food meeting will actually happen. shortages, local politics and the country's inefficiencies.

Prior appointment are absolutely necessary

talk about, cultural history, life in the US and your family activities.

Do not stress punctuality the visitor should be promote. Prior appointment are absolutely necessary Romanian are very punctual, so be on time

No politics and government Good topics, sports, music, fashion, and books.

Be punctual for appointments

The Only time punctuality is taken seriously is when attending a bullfight.

Public sports and travel

Punctuality is a must, specially Discussion may range when invited to a Swedish ever many different home. topics

June and July are bad for business trips(holidays).Appointments made in advance.Punctuality is important.

(+)Hobbies, sports,travel.Also politics(multitude of political parties in Finland)

Prior appointments, and punctuality is good manners.

Avoid personal questions,politics and money as topics

punctuality is important,appointments in advance

(-)baseball,basketball,am erican football (+)german counrtyside,hobbies,sport s as soccer

punctuality is not a must,and a phonecall should be made prior to an appoinment

avoid cyprus and other controversial aspects of international politics

(+)food,wine,Hungary(-)p olitics,religion

Punctuality is advisable meetings are long, slow and frustating punctuality is not necessary but prior apointments are

yes: cultural achivements, indian traditions, other people and foreing countries but never about personal affairs, India's poverty military expeditures or amount of foreing aid

Never talk about politics, socialism and foreing aid

Punctuality is a must

Never talk about World War II

punctuality is not emphazied but prior appts. Are advisible

talk about family, sports, food, general affairs

-be punctual; make appointments in advance

avoid: local politics, prior appointments necessary MauMau period be punctual; make appointments in advance

prior appointments advisable

avoid: politics, religion, controversial subjects avoid: to much compliments about hosts possession

avoid: religion; DO: prior appointments important; industrial achievement, be punctual future plans, Afr. Politics be punctual, bear in mind juli+aug. = vacation time, take 2nd helping is best compliment, gifts: flowers, candy, not: red roses much advance required, be punctual, overwhelming hospitability, gifts: flower, candy, pastries be punctual, gifts: flowers (uneven number, but not 13), wine, chocolate, whiskey, coffee beans

no punctuality, small talk (about health+family), small gift during 2nd visit much advance required, be punctual, gifts: product of your country Friday is Muslim day of rest, gifts: flower, chocolate (use both hands or right hand); do not eat everything on your plate Prior appointments absolutely necessary

(+) sports, likes about Switzerland, travel, politics; (-) diet, age, job, family, personal life (+) international affairs, family, profession, hobbies (+) life-style in US, sports, family, fashion; (-) religion, politics

(-) politics, problems; (+) Algeria's industrialization+agrarian reforms

(-) Mid East politics; (+) likes about Egypt Good topics: Poland and its cultural history, life in the U.S, family and activities

Avoid appointments between Visitors: avoid discussing 12a.m-15. Prior appointments politics and government. absolutely necessary Good topics: family, positive aspects of Portugal, personal Prior appointments necessary. interest Good topics: sports, Very punctual, be on time.

travel, music, fashion and books. Avoid politics or any negative aspects of Romania.

Be punctual for appointments.

Main meal of the day and Good topics: politics, siesta from 1.30 to 16.30. only sports, travel. Avoid: time when punctuality is taken religion, family and job, seriously is attending a negative aspects about bullfight bullfighting. Punctuality is very important. Criticism of Swedish culture or politics should be avoided.

arrange meetings in advance (-) money (-) try to be religion (-) politics punctual --> unless you are specifically asked about these topics punctuality very important

(-) politics (-) local language differences (-) religion (-) jokes about the Dutch

make appointments far in (-) politics (-) advance be social conditions in punctual Bulgaria make appointments far in (-) emotional/personal advance be discussions of politics, punctual religion, social conditions (+) sports no heavy business in July and ? August punctuality is a must

appointments essential (OK) ten minutes late (-) ten minutes early

(-) politics (-) gossip about the monarchy (-) religion (-) start conversation with "what do you do?"

Remember to respect Ramadan, the 9th month.

Religion and politics to be avoided

Punctuality is important, several meetings may be on at once Meetings are by appointment, Business: Be punctual. Social: not important.

Avoid politics, talk about horses and falcons

Appointments are necessary

Guests are the centre of attention and are expected to be able to converse on may topics Avoid political discussions

periences

Gift Given

Take flowers at the dinner. Return the favor by taking your hosts to a restaurant. Invited out often.

Take flowers The lateness at which people eat dinner restaurant do not. Generally open until after nine and do not get into full swing until about eleven

A bouquet of flowers

DO: cookies, candys; DON´T:flowers DO: gift for the host; DONT: alcohol, gift for hosts wife

invited to a home: flowers (no red roses, no red carnations, not an even number) some small gift such as chocolates (-) chrysanthemums --> are a reminder of death

?

invited to a home: flowers (odd number) (-) red roses (-) wine (-) whiskey (-) cognac invited to a home: flowers

invited to a home: flowers, chocolates for the lady (-) lilies --> suggest death

Writing instruments they also love gold Avoid gifts of liquor and photos or sculptures of women Customary to bring a plant, flowers or candy

Alcohol is available in Iraq