general protocol

8/14/2019 General Protocol

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Country General Protocol Names/greetings

China

Fijismile or raised-eyesbrows

Hong Kong

India

Indonesia

Handshake

Japan

Malaysia

New Zealand

tipping anyone is an insult, although exceptionsare starting to appear.

slight and handshake/full title

respectful friendliness andremove your shoes inhousereserved and formal, Avoidconflicts that would causethe Chineese to loose faceHaving lot of businesscards!

Handshakes and businesscards presented with bothhands

Sikhs wear turban, notsmoke, eat beef and cuttheir hairremove shoes inside

handshakes for men anddo not touch a women

respect of individual,remove shoesBuseness dealing are long,slow, and frustrating

Remove shoes in japanesehomes although it is notnecessary in western stylebuildings

A long lob bow is used asgreeting and first namesare not used unlesspeople are very close.Buisness cards areexchanged frequently.

Remove shoes beforeentering mosque or home

of the Malays also removeyour sunglasses / litering isa strong offense

Handshake between menis common but betweenwomen and men a slight

bow or nod is morecommon. Have yourbuisness card ready.

Tipping is not common andwill often be refused.Maintaining a formal aire isstandard untill a relaxedatmosphere has beenestablished.

Shake hands on meetingand leaving. Wait forwomen to offer their handfirst.


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Pakistan

The Phillipines

Dont give tipping

Fiji

Hong Kong

India

Indonesia

Senegal

Don't eat with your left hand

South Africa

Tanzania

UgandaHandshaking common

Men are often invited todinner without their wifeand will often arrive without her if she is invited.Most traditional foods are

eaten by hand and only theright hand is used.

Common greeting is ahandshake. Close friendsmay embrace. A manshould not shake handswith a woman or touchher in public.Use last

name and title whenadressing a Pakistani.

Americans and Europeansusually feel at home in thephillipines. Americans arewell liked and the Americanlifestyle is emmulated.English is the language ofgovernment, buisness andEducation.

Handshakes are acommon greetingbetween both sexes anda pat on the back for menis not uncommon.

PeoplesRepublic of China

Complete names. Slighthandshake

Remove shoes in the houseRespectful friendliness

Smile and raisedeyebrows. Handshakes.

Avoid blue and whiteMany business cards

Formal

Handshakes, businesscards with both hands

Orthodox people dontsmoke, eat beef, or cit theirhairs. Remove shoes in thehouses.

Men to men,handshaking. Men towomen, dont be seen inpublic, dont touch.

Shoes removed in carpetedplaces, like mosques

Hand shaking and a nodof the head are properHandshaking whenintroduced

Strict conventions and socialrules regarding race andcolor. Follow your host's leadon these things

Handshaking whenintroduced, also verbalgreeting: jambo


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Zambia

Henri Hoffren

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russia

Never drop anything

Spain

Sweden

Finland

At dinner you should ask forfood, as its seen impolite forthe host to offer it first. It isalso improper to refuse food.

Handshaking, with the lefthand supporting the right.Use courtesy andprofessional titles. Avoideye contact with oppositesex

First name are used byclose friend only

Gratuities and appropriateto tip an additional percent

For men to greet eachother with the embrace,For woman a kiss on bothcheeks

Only between closefriends. In more formalsetting use a person's

title and surnameshake hands and state hisor her name whenmeeting someone for thefirst time.

Men who are close friendoften give each other anabrazo. Woman friend

greet and part with aslight embrace.

Knowledge of the culturaldifferences among Sweden,Norway Denmark, andFinland is sign ofthoughtfulness

The SlovakRepublic

Customs in the twoneighbors are likely to bemore similar Thant not.

Tipping in restaurants israre.No taxi tipping

With a firmhandshake.Hugs andkisses for close friendsand family.Flowers for thehostess.Lots of alchol isconsumed withdinners.Sauna isnormal,even for guests.


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FRANCE

GERMANY

GREECE

elderly are respected

HUNGARY

INDIA

INDONESIA

handshake and a nod

JAPAN

MALASYA

Ghana- shake hands

Businessmen formal andconservative.French is anecessity.

A light handshake,but notto a person with superiorauthority.Cuisine isimportant,flowers andchocolate can be broughtto hostess

still remnants ofsensitivities from wars

Handshakes,titles,no firstname basis at first.ifinvited to a home,menbring flowers.send athank you note.

Handshakes,embrace orkiss. Gestures:nod of thehead-no.tilting thehead:yes.smiling whenangry.flowers or cake for

the hostess if invited fordinner

no photographing ofsoldiers or militaryinstallations

Handshake;man shouldwait for a woman to do itfirst.if invited fordinner,take flowers orwestern liquor

Siks wear a turban Nosmoking, eat beaf or cuttheir hair.

Shake hands whenmeeting or leaving. Shakehand and bow when mengreet women and no mentouch other women thatis not family

society is based on respectnot shoes in carpet or holyplaces

shoes are removed but canbe worn in western stylebuldings

a long and low bow,exchangeing businesscards is important andpeople use their familynames to call each other

Remove shoes andsunglasses indoor, Nolittering english is widelyspoken

men shake hands, womenbow or nod and bussinescards are exchaged alot.

- difficult to findstereotypes; - avoidgesturing with your lefthand


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Kenyashake hands

Libya

Morocoshake hands; friends kiss

Mozambique

Nigeria

Switzerland

Turkey

Yugoslavia

Africa

Algeria

Ivory Coasthandshaking

Egypt

Poland

-tip expected; ask peoplebefore taking pictures ofthem

economy state controlled;inform you about health,visa ect.remove shoes in mosque,

always offer to removethem when entering ahome

first names rarely used;use professional titles

conservative, don't showoff

remove shoes beforeentering mosques+housesin countryside, dressconservatively

north: follow Arabicprotocoll; middle: blackmulticultures; south: followDutch/English protocoll

handshaking, kissing onboth cheeks (for womenand men), title+lastname

friendship required beforedoing business

host welcomes manytimes

Customs: take flowers tothe hostess (red rosesdenoted romantic love),

consumption of hard liquorsis typical at business andother meetings

First names only used byclose friends


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Portugal

Romania

Russia

Spain

Sweden

Austria

Belgium

Privacy must be respected

Bulgaria

Denmarkhandshake

Tips of 10%. Not necessaryto take a gift for thehostess, return the favor bytaking them to arestaurant.

Embrace between men, akiss on both cheeksbetween women

Gifts for hosts (and family):

perfume, cosmetics,flowers, jeans, coffee.Business men: inexpensiveimprinted pens/lighters.

First name only between

close friends. Formalsettings: title andsurname.

Crime for visitors to exportart objects or changemoney with citizens. Neverdrop anything in the street.

They shake hands andstate his/her name whenmeeting someone for thefirst time. Betweenfriends: hugs and kiss onthe cheeks.

People have dinner verylate (restaurants usuallyopen at 21). Take flowers,cakes, or chocolates whenyou are invited to a dinner.

Men: Embrace betweenclose friends. Women:kiss on both cheeks.

Knowledge of the culturaldifferences among Sweden,Norway, Denmark andFinland is a sign ofthoughtfulness.

Individualism is importantNever call an Austrian aGermanGreet people in public evenif you do not know them

? But probably:handshakecall people by their last

name if you do not knowthem well

Cheek kissing 3 timesembracing (also

men)handshakes to greet andsay good-bye to each

person at a social orbusiness gathering

a 'nod' means "no"a 'shake of the head'

means "yes"

handshake

The CzechRepublic

don't take photographs inmuseums or art galleries orof military installations

use professional title ifthe person has one

Men: handshakeshould wait

for a woman to offer herhandno tipping: taxi, hotel bills,

restaurant


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Middle East

The Gulf States

Iran

Iraq

England,Scotland, and

Wales

avoid the word "English",use "British"

use honorary title (evenamong familiaraquaintances)increasingly common: usefirst names in business

Proper dress, respect theprayers they make 5x aday

Handshakes, a kiss onboth cheeks if insidesomeones house

Say Arabian gulf notPersian gulf

First, say salaamalaykum, then shakehands while saying kaifhalakA handshake and slightbow, address hosts withlast name or title


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ppointments/ponctualit Conversation

Top : personal experience

punctuality is advisable

Do not talk about WW2

Wait a lot to have abusiness decision

top dif between china& the rest of the world

punctuality, Day to day life ismore relaxed than in the West

30 minutes "courtesy time".However business man areponctual

A phrase in Cantonesewill begreatly admired, but besureof your prononciation

Top health or businessFlop : politic in china

top : culturalachievements, indiantraditions and foreigncountriesflop : personal affairs andindian's poverty andmilitary expenditures.

punctualy is important butnever emphased. Priorappointments arerecommended

Flop : local politics,socialism and foreign aid

Punctuality is advisable inbuisness and for socialoccasions

Prior appointments areadvisable. Punctuality isexpected but not emphasized.

Malaysians enjoydiscussing general affairs,family, sports and food.

Prior appointments areadvisable and you should tryto be a bit early.

Kiwis like to talk aboutpolitics, sports andweather. They enjoyforeigners with anunderstanding of theirculture. DO NOT refer tothem as being part ofAustralia.


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Avoid discussing politics.

Be punctual.

Not accepted

30 minutes courtesy time

Is advisable

Prior to appointment

National and world affairs

Although Pakistanis are nottime concious they will expectwestern visitors to arrive on

time. Most buisnesses areclosed on fridays.

Avoid: politics, religion,local conditions,corruption and foreignaid. They DO enjoydiscussing family.

Prior to appointment. Slowdecision making.

Recommended, but it is amore relaxed life

Gifts are appreciated. Becareful of not admireobjects openly, they cangive it to you

Good: candies, fruit,cookies. Bad: clocks andscissors. Gifts given in

new year, Chinese

Candies and fruit, gifts forchildren

Accept flowers. Alwaysaccept them.

Prior appointments advisable.Punctuality recommended

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

Prior appointments necessary.Punctuality strictly observed

Lots of talk about localpolitics and evolving racialand social policies

Talk about National parks,African culture andinternational politics. Avoidprevailing political climate

Prior appointments andpunctuality advisable


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Be punctual for appointments

Public sports and travel

A prior appointment is advisable,although it won't guarantee themeeting will actually happen.

Talk about internationalpolitics. Avoid foodshortages, local politics andthe country's inefficiencies.

Prior appointment areabsolutely necessary

talk about, culturalhistory, life in the US andyour family activities.

Do not stress punctuality thevisitor should be promote.

No politics andgovernment

Prior appointment areabsolutely necessaryRomanian are very punctual,

so be on time

Good topics, sports,music, fashion, and

books.

The Only time punctuality is

taken seriously is whenattending a bullfight.

Punctuality is a must, speciallywhen invited to a Swedishhome.

Discussion may rangeever many differenttopics

June and July are bad forbusinesstrips(holidays).Appointmentsmade in advance.Punctualityis important.

(+)Hobbies,sports,travel.Alsopolitics(multitude ofpolitical parties inFinland)


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Punctuality is advisable

Punctuality is a must

Prior appointments, andpunctuality is good manners.

Avoid personalquestions,politics andmoney as topics

punctuality isimportant,appointments inadvance

(-)baseball,basketball,american football (+)germancounrtyside,hobbies,sports as soccer

punctuality is not a must,and

a phonecall should be madeprior to an appoinment

avoid cyprus and other

controversial aspects ofinternational politics

(+)food,wine,Hungary(-)politics,religion

yes: culturalachivements, indiantraditions, other peopleand foreing countries butnever about personalaffairs, India's povertymilitary expeditures oramount of foreing aid

meetings are long, slow andfrustating punctuality is notnecessary but priorapointments are

Never talk about politics,socialism and foreing aid

Never talk about WorldWar II

punctuality is not emphaziedbut prior appts. Are advisible

talk about family, sports,food, general affairs

-be punctual; makeappointments in advance


12/21

prior appointments necessary

prior appointments advisable

avoid: local politics,MauMau period

be punctual; makeappointments in advance

avoid: politics, religion,controversial subjects

avoid: to muchcompliments about hostspossession

prior appointments important;be punctual

avoid: religion; DO:industrial achievement,future plans, Afr. Politics

be punctual, bear in mindjuli+aug. = vacation time,take 2nd helping is bestcompliment, gifts: flowers,candy, not: red roses

(+) sports, likes aboutSwitzerland, travel,politics; (-) diet, age, job,family, personal life

much advance required, bepunctual, overwhelminghospitability, gifts: flower,candy, pastries

(+) international affairs,family, profession,hobbies

be punctual, gifts: flowers(uneven number, but not 13),wine, chocolate, whiskey,

coffee beans

(+) life-style in US, sports,family, fashion; (-)

religion, politics

no punctuality, small talk(about health+family), smallgift during 2nd visit

(-) politics, problems; (+)Algeria'sindustrialization+agrarianreforms

much advance required, bepunctual, gifts: product of yourcountry

Friday is Muslim day of rest,gifts: flower, chocolate (useboth hands or right hand); donot eat everything on yourplate

(-) Mid East politics; (+)likes about Egypt

Prior appointments absolutelynecessary

Good topics: Poland andits cultural history, life inthe U.S, family and

activities


13/21

Be punctual for appointments.

Punctuality is very important.

punctuality very important

?

Avoid appointments between12a.m-15. Prior appointmentsabsolutely necessary

Visitors: avoid discussingpolitics and government.Good topics: family,positive aspects ofPortugal, personalinterestPrior appointments necessary.

Very punctual, be on time.

Good topics: sports,

travel, music, fashion andbooks. Avoid politics orany negative aspects ofRomania.

Main meal of the day andsiesta from 1.30 to 16.30. onlytime when punctuality is takenseriously is attending abullfight

Good topics: politics,sports, travel. Avoid:religion, family and job,negative aspects aboutbullfighting.

Criticism of Swedishculture or politics shouldbe avoided.

arrange meetings in advancetry to be

punctual

(-) money (-)religion (-) politics

--> unless youare specifically askedabout these topics

(-) politics (-)local language differences

(-) religion(-) jokes about the Dutch

make appointments far inadvance bepunctual

(-) politics (-)social conditions inBulgaria

make appointments far inadvance bepunctual

(-) emotional/personaldiscussions of politics,religion, social conditions

(+) sports

no heavy business in July andAugustpunctuality is a must


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Appointments are necessary Avoid political discussions

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

(-) politics (-)gossip about themonarchy (-)religion (-) startconversation with "whatdo you do?"

Remember to respectRamadan, the 9th month.

Religion and politics to beavoided

Punctuality is important,several meetings may be onat once

Avoid politics, talk abouthorses and falcons

Meetings are by appointment,Business: Be punctual. Social:not important.

Guests are the centre ofattention and areexpected to be able toconverse on may topics


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Gift Given


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Invited out often.

Take flowers

A bouquet of flowers

Take flowers at thedinner.

Return the favor bytaking your hosts to arestaurant.

The lateness at whichpeople eat dinnerrestaurant do not.Generally open until afternine and do not get into

full swing until abouteleven


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19/21

DO: cookies, candys;DONT:flowers

DO: gift for the host;DONT: alcohol, gift forhosts wife


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?

invited to a home: flowers

invited to a home: flowers(no red roses, no redcarnations, not an evennumber) somesmall gift such aschocolates(-) chrysanthemums--> are a reminder ofdeath

invited to a home:flowers (odd number)

(-) red roses(-) wine (-)whiskey (-)cognac


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Alcohol is available in Iraq

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

Writing instruments theyalso love gold

Avoid gifts of liquor andphotos or sculptures ofwomen

Customary to bring aplant, flowers or candy

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