biz etiquette

8/2/2019 Biz Etiquette

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BUSINESSETIQUETTE


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INTRODUCTION Etiquette means conventional rules of social

behavior or professional conduct

It means behaving a little better than is

absolutely essential- Will Cuppy

Related to

Introductions

Telephone calls

Business dining

Interaction with foreign clients

Inter-personal business etiquette


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BUSINESS DINING Introduction

Can be with colleagues or clients

It is not an occasion for free drinking and smoking or even free mealsbut a business activity


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BUSINESS DINING.. As a host

Invite the guest personally

Confirm the date, time, place in writing

apprise the invitee of your guest list

Confirm the meeting once again, a day prior to the event Reach the hotel/restaurant a little ahead of time

Receive the guest personally outside the dining hall

Ask the guest for his choice of food

Never let the guest pay for the meal

Pay for the taxi to take the guest back

After initial pleasantries, discuss the agenda in a relaxedmanner


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BUSINESS DINING.. Food preferences

If you do not or cannot, because of religion orpersonal choice, take something, declinepolitely

Avoid drinking at business dinners else avoiddrinking too much. You can excuse yourselfby saying, I have an early morning flight,etc.


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BUSINESS DINING.. Table manners are the rules of

etiquette used while eating, which

may also include the appropriate useof utensils. Different cultures observedifferent rules for table manners.

Each family or group sets its ownstandards for how strictly these rulesare to be enforced.


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BUSINESS DINING..Africa

Eating is done without cutlery, with the right hand, from acommunal dish (or dishes). Muslims often say grace beforedining.

It is rude to show up early at dinner; try to be 1530 minutes

later than expected. If eating on a mat or carpet, do not expose the sole of your foot,

it is considered very rude.

Children may eat with the adults if instructed to do so.

It is considered rude to talk or laugh with food in your mouth.

Let the host know how good the meal is, but don't exaggerate; itmight be taken the wrong way.

Avoid touching your face, nose, ears and hair while eating.

Dinner tables are sometimes gender-segregated.


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BUSINESS DINING..China- (Chopstick usage)

When not in use, chopsticks must always be placed neatly on

the table with two sticks lying tidily next to each other.

Chopsticks are traditionally held in the right hand only, even forthe left-handed.

Never point the chopsticks at another person.

Never wave your chopsticks around while gesturing

Never use chopsticks to move bowls or plates.

Decide what to pick up before reaching with chopsticks, insteadof hovering them over or rummaging through dishes.

To keep chopsticks off the table, rest them horizontally on one'sbowl

Never stab chopsticks vertically into a bowl of rice, as this

resembles incense sticks used at temples to pay respects tothe deceased. This is considered the ultimate dinner table faux


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BUSINESS DINING..India

Food is generally eaten with the right hand. It is o.k. to use left hand topass the dishes.

It is acceptable not to use cutlery for eating, as many foods - such asIndian breads and curry - are commonly eaten in this manner.

When eating curry, the sauce should not stain the fingers- only fingertips

are used. It is not necessary to taste each and every dish prepared, but you must

finish everything on your plate as it is considered respectful. For thatreason, put only as much food on your plate as you can eat.

As most of the Indian delicacies are eaten with the hands, it is necessary

to make sure that one's drinking glass should not become messy.

Do not leave the table until others have finished or the host requests you.If you must, ask permission from the host before leaving.

South Indian meals are served on a banana leaf that has been cleaned

with warm water. Vegetables are placed on the top half of the leaf,and rice sweets and snacks on the other half.


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BUSINESS DINING..France

Remember to always say pleaseand thank you French bread is always torn off rather than cut. Do not dip it into

soup or sauce.

Do not place your elbows on the table

Finish everything on your plate before taking more. Do not put ice in your wine. At restaurants, wine should be

served at the optimal temperature.

After you have finished eating, place the cutlery parallel,

vertically at the centre of your plate so the waiter will know totake away your plate.

While you are still eating your meal, place the cutlery to thesides of your plate at 4:00 and 8:00, opposite sides of the plate,

signifying to the waiter that you wish to keep your plate.


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BUSINESS DINING..United Kingdom

The fork is held in your left hand and the knife is held in yourright when used at the same time.

You should hold your knife with the handle in your palm andyour fork in the other hand with the tines (prongs) pointingdownwards.

Food should be cut "one piece at a time" directly prior to eating,and then consumed.

When eating soup, you should hold your spoon in your righthand and tip the bowl away from you, scooping the soup in

movements away from yourself. The soup spoon should neverbe put into the mouth, and soup should be sipped from the sideof the spoon, not the end.

Drinks should always be to the right of the plate with the

bread plate to the left.


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BUSINESS DINING.. Do not start eating before the host does or instructs guests to

do so. At meals with a very large number of people, it is

acceptable to start eating once others have been served. When finished, place the knife and fork together at six oclock

with your fork on the left (tines facing down) and knife on theright, with the knife blade facing in. This signals that one has

finished. The napkin should never be crumpled. Nor should it be folded

neatly as that would suggest that your host might plan to use itagain without washing itjust leave it neatly but loosely on thetable.

Never blow your nose on your napkin. Place it on your lap anduse it to dab your mouth if you make a mess.

It is considered rude to answer the telephone at the table. If youneed to take an urgent call, excuse yourself and go outside.


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BUSINESS DINING.. Always ask for permission from the host and excuse yourself if

you need to leave the table. You should place your napkin on

your seat until you return. It is considered common courtesy forall gentlemen at the table to stand when a lady arrives or leavesthe table.

If you must leave the table or are resting, your fork should be at

eight oclock tines (prongs) pointing downwards and your knifeat four oclock (with the blade inwards). Once an item of cutleryhas been used, it should not touch the table again.

Food should be brought to your mouth on the back of the fork.

Dishes should be served from the left, and taken away from theright.

Drinks should be served from the right.

Never lean across somebody elses plate. If you need

something to be passed, ask the person closest to it. If youhave to ass somethin , onl ass it if ou are closest to it and


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BUSINESS DINING.. Salt and pepper shakers should be passed together.

You must not put your elbows on the table.

If pouring a drink for yourself, offer to pour a drink for yourneighbors before serving yourself.

If extra food is on the table, ask others if they would like itbefore taking it yourself.

When chewing food, close your mouth and only talk after youhave swallowed it.

Swallow all food before eating more or drinking.

Never pick food out of your teeth with your fingernails.

Wine glasses should be held by the stem in the case of whitewines, and by cupping the bowl in the case of red wines

Never transfer food to your mouth with your knife, and

never put your knife in your mouth or lick the blade.


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GIFTINGChinese Culture

In order not to appear greedy, a gift will not be immediately

taken, but refused three times before finally being accepted.Each time its refused, the giver must graciously continue tooffer the gift. And once its taken, tell the person youre happyits been accepted.

The gift is offered using both hands and must be gift-wrapped In China, official business policy considers gifts as bribes,

which are illegal. Waiting until negotiations have concluded willeliminate the appearance of bribery when a gift is presented.

Money may be given in a red envelope; it must be evenamount, using an even number of new bills.

Sharp objects like knives or scissors represent a severing of afriendship or relationship- including a business relationship.


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GIFTINGChinese Culture

Red is a lucky color; pink and yellow represent happiness; and

the number 8 is the luckiest number. The colors black, whiteand blue and the number 4, or four of anything, are negativelyassociated with death or funerals. Also included in this categoryare clocks, handkerchiefs, and straw sandals.

Japanese Culture The ceremony is important; the gift is always in a gift box, or

beautifully wrapped in quality paper, and given with greatrespect

Theres an expectation a gift will be offered at the first meeting,and gifts will continue to be part of your business dealings.

When you offer your gift, hold it in both hands and bow, sayingwords that let the person know, this gift is insignificant in

comparison to the importance of the relationship.


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GIFTING The Japanese will politely refuse a gift once or twice before

accepting it. And it will not be opened in your presence. When a

gift is offered to you, follow this same ceremony. Politely refuseonce or twice, and then accept it with both hands, saving it toopen later.

Gifts of food or liquor (cookies, expensive candy, and fruit) are

always good choices especially for modest gifts. If yourebringing a gift from your home country, make sure its not madein Japan. And dont select company items with your logo thatmay be a promotional item and look cheap.

A gift with a pair of items is considered lucky, but sets of four ornine are unlucky.

Plus, the number 4 also means death; and the color red isassociated with funerals, so dont give a pen with red ink, anddont write out a card using red. Books arent appropriate; and

sharp objects like knives, scissors, and letter openers


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GIFTING..Islamic countries

No liquor or any product containing alcohol, such as perfume.

No products or foods from scavengers, which includes pork,birds, and shellfish. E.g.- a leather item made from pig skin

No clothing items, which are far too personal to give as gifts.

Dogs are considered unclean, so any dog item, even something

with a picture of a dog would not be given.

No knives because they have a sharp edge (=> severingrelationships)

A good gift for a devout Muslim is a compass. Each day he

must face Mecca for prayers. With a compass, no matter wherein the world he happens to be, he can easily find the correctdirection.

Gifts are presented using the right hand, or both hands. The left

hand is never used alone to hand someone a gift, as its


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GIFTINGGeneral Gift Categories

There are some countries in which a small gift is expected at

the first meeting. These include Japan, Indonesia, Philippines,South Korea, Taiwan, Bolivia, Columbia, Costa Rica, Russia,Poland, and Ukraine.

And in other countries you dont want to give an item with your

company logo. These are Belgium, France, Greece, Italy,Portugal, and Spain.

Electronic items such as laser pointers, PDAs, calculators, andaddress books are good gifts.

Desk and office accessories that make good gifts include finequality pens, or pen and pencil sets, business card holders,good leather briefcases or leather organizers for use in theoffice or in a briefcase.

Chocolate- Universally, this is a good choice. There are manyfine ualit chocolates that make ex uisite ifts for a business


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GIFTING.. Flowers can be frequently used as a gift, especially if youve

been invited to someones home. In Europe, the old European tradition of always giving an odd

number of flowers is still followed today (all except 13 which isconsidered unlucky).

In some cultures a particular color or type of flower isassociated with romance or funerals, and would not be chosento give a hostess. Red roses are frequently consideredromantic. Funeral associations frequently occur with lilies or

calla lilies, chrysanthemums, Frangipani, white roses,marigolds, carnations, heather, and white or purple flowers. Insome Latin countries, yellow flowers symbolize contempt.


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CUSTOMER CARE Do not differentiate between

customers on the basis of their wallet

share Be prompt in your service to the

customer

You need commitment of yoursuppliers to help you in emergencies

Treat everyone with respect


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THE END

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