Presented by: Laura Nunez Patel

1. Good Morning, Buenos Días or Zăo Ān:
Exploring Business Etiquette Around the World
Laura Núñez Patel
Fluor Process Engineer
from Dublin, CA
Georgia Tech
M.S. ChE ‘08

2. USA
 Greetings
– Good morning, How are you?
See you tomorrow, Goodnight
– Firm handshakes
 Dress Code
– Business casual common
 Talking to superiors
– First names common
 Corporate Culture
– Informal
– Direct Communication
• (except for requests/feedback)
– Positive enthusiasm

3. Mexico
 Greetings
– Buen día, Buen provecho
Que descanses
– Single kiss on right cheek
 Dress Code
– Formal common, fashionable
 Talking to Superiors
– Use formal Spanish “Usted”
– Use titles Ingeniero/a, Licenciado/a, Doctor/a
• last name optional
 Corporate Culture
– Build long-term relationships
– Long late lunches, long working hours
– Indirect and Expressive Communication

4. China
 Greetings
– Zăo Ān , Zài Jiàn
– Business card exchange important
 Dress Code
– Formal common
 Talking to Superiors
– Use Nín instead of Nĭ
– Use title
 Corporate Culture
– Hierarchy very important
– Do not cause others to lose face, hide anger
– Build long-term relationships, personal network
– Indirect Communication

5. India
 Greetings
– Good morning, Good afternoon, Good evening
– Handshake optional (right hand only!)
 Dress Code
– Conservative casual or Indian dresses
• salwar kameez and saree
 Talking to Superiors
– Use appropriate vocabulary in Hindi
– Address seniors as “Sir”, “Mr./Mrs./Dr.”
 Corporate Culture
– Hierarchy important
• Personally entertain high ranking visitors
– Education valued
– Indirect Communication

6. Lessons Learned
 First impressions are important
 Do your research before going
 Enjoy the cultural differences

7. Resources
 Friends and Family
 Building Effective Business Relationships in China by Roy Y.
J. Chua, 2012.
 International Business: A Basic Guide for Women by Tracey
Wilen, 2000.
 Behave Yourself! The Essential Guide to International
Etiquette by Michael Powell, 2005.
 Research country profiles and compare them to your style at:
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