BUSINESS CULTURE GREETINGS England Man greeting Man: Men shake hands when greeting one another and usually throw in a "How do you do." Handshakes are usually on the lighter side and don't linger that much Woman greeting Woman: - At a first meeting, women generally shake hands. Man greeting Woman: At a first meeting a regular handshake will do. Women tend to extend their hand first. Vietnam Man greeting Man Handshakes are the most common form of greeting. They are usually gentle and not to prolonged. Many people use a two handed handshake when greeting and departing. Woman greeting Woman: While handshakes are a common form of greeting, many times a simple nod of acknowledgment will do. Man greeting Woman While handshakes are a common form of greeting, many times a simple nod or slight bow will do. Wait for the woman to initiate. MEETINGS England • When doing business direct questions often receive evasive responses. • Arriving on time for a meeting is important. In England culture open displays of emotion, positive or negative are rare and should be avoided Business meetings tend to be structured but not too formal, beginning and ending with a bit of small talk. Vietnam • Arriving on time for a meeting is important even though they may not begin exactly on time. • Hierarchy is very important in Vietnamese culture, so it is always best to defer to the most senior person in the room when it comes to beginning and guiding conversations. Periods of silence are considered acceptable and are to be expected. Avoid interrupting, showing displeasure through facial or eye movements and talking over someone. Be patient. TITLES and BUSINESS CARDS England • Titles are important and it is best to address people directly by using Mr., Mrs., or Miss, followed by the surname. It is not appropriate to address a business a businessperson in England by his first name unless he invites you to do so. • Business cards are necessary and usually exchanged. Vietnam • Titles are somewhat important. it is best to address people by using their professional title or Mr., Mrs., or Miss, followed by the surname. • It is advisable to have one side of your business card translated into Vietnamese and be sure to present and receive business cards with both hands. • It’s best to never write on or fold a business card you are given. Dress  England • The English value being well dressed and nicely groomed. For men: conservative, dark or medium colored suits with shirts and conservative ties. Avoid striped ties. For women: stylish yet classic business suits or dresses and blouses. Accessories are usually worn. Vietnam • For men: conservative colored suits with white shirts and ties. Jackets are not a must but good to have just in case. Being well groomed is appreciated. For women: conservative skirts, pants, suits, and blouses are

3. CONTENT
GREETINGS
MEETINGS
TITLES & BUSINESS CARDS
DRESS
NEGOTIATION
GIFT GIVING

4.  England
 Man greeting Man:
 Men shake hands when
greeting one another
and usually throw in a
"How do you do."
Handshakes are usually
on the lighter side and
don't linger that much

5. • Woman greeting
Woman:
- At a first meeting,
women generally
shake hands.

6. Man greeting
Woman:
 At a first
meeting a
regular
handshake will
do. Women
tend to extend
their hand first.

7. Vietnam
• Man greeting Man
 Handshakes are the most
common form of greeting.
They are usually gentle
and not to prolonged.
Many people use a two
handed handshake when
greeting and departing.

8. Woman greeting
Woman:
 While handshakes
are a common form
of greeting, many
times a simple nod
of acknowledgment
will do.

9. Man greeting Woman
 While handshakes are a common form of
greeting, many times a simple nod or slight
bow will do. Wait for the woman to initiate.

10. England
• When doing business direct questions often
receive evasive responses.
• Arriving on time for a meeting is important.
• In England culture open displays of emotion,
positive or negative are rare and should be
avoided

11. • Business meetings tend to be
structured but not too formal,
beginning and ending with a bit of
small talk.

12. Vietnam
• Arriving on time for a meeting is important
even though they may not begin exactly on
time.
• Hierarchy is very important in Vietnamese
culture, so it is always best to defer to the
most senior person in the room when it comes
to beginning and guiding conversations.

13. • Periods of silence are considered
acceptable and are to be expected.
Avoid interrupting, showing
displeasure through facial or eye
movements and talking over
someone. Be patient.

14. England
• Titles are important and it is best to address people
directly by using Mr., Mrs., or Miss, followed by the
surname.
• It is not appropriate to address a business a
businessperson in England by his first name unless
he invites you to do so.
• Business cards are necessary and usually exchanged.

15. Vietnam
• Titles are somewhat important.
it is best to address people by
using their professional title or
Mr., Mrs., or Miss, followed by
the surname.
• It is advisable to have one side
of your business card translated
into Vietnamese and be sure to
present and receive business
cards with both hands.
• It’s best to never write on or
fold a business card you are
given.

16. England
• The English value
being well dressed and
nicely groomed.
For men: conservative,
dark or medium
colored suits with
shirts and conservative
ties. Avoid striped
ties.

17. For women: stylish yet classic business
suits or dresses and blouses.
Accessories are usually worn.

18. Vietnam
• For men: conservative colored suits with
white shirts and ties. Jackets are not a must
but good to have just in case. Being well
groomed is appreciated.

19. For women: conservative
skirts, pants, suits, and
blouses are appropriate.
Avoid short, tight fitting,
and sleeveless attire.

20. Both England and
Vietnam
Jeans and business
casual attire are not
recommended but
may be appropriate
in more rural areas.

21. England
• Decisions tend to be
made from the top
down and can take
sometime.
• Humor is often used
in negotiations

22.  English are very reserved and seldom show strong
emotions while doing business. Keep your voice down
when speaking
 Do remember that England people have a real problem
with saying “No”. They feel that saying “No” negatively
affects the positive relationship.

23. Vietnam
• Vietnamese value relationship
building and harmony.
• Decisions tend to come from
the top down and can take a
while, so patience is a must.

24. The most important quality in negotiations with Vietnamese is
patience.
Outward displays of anger are interpreted as a sign of personal
weakness.
Do not feel compelled to fill silences that may occur during
business negotiations

25. Vietnamese will avoid
using no in answering
questions. They tend
to say, “maybe”, or
“that would be
difficult” or even “yes”
or “no problem” even
if the answer is really
no.

26. England
• Gifts are not usually
exchanged at a first meeting.
• If invited to an English
household, it is appropriate
to bring flowers (avoid white
lilies as they are reserved for
funerals), good wine, liquor,
or chocolates.
• Make sure that gifts are
nicely wrapped.

27.  Vietnam
• Very simple gifts are sometimes
exchanged after a first meeting.
• If invited to a Vietnamese
person’s house, it is appropriate
to bring picture frames and
something for the children if
there are any.
• Gifts are not to be opened when
they are received.