Transcript Asian Business Etiquette

Asian Business
Etiquette
Tina Fong
Stacy Zhang
Introduction
► Importance
of Understanding culture
► Attire and Appearance
► Behavior
► Business Card Etiquette – Japan, China, and
Korea
► Conclusion and Takeaways
Attire and Appearance
► Dress
is according to status
► Casual Dress is never appropriate
Men’s and Women’s Attire
► Men: Dark and Conservative attire
► Women: Conservative also, little or
no accessories,
absolutely no pants (very offensive), low heeled
shoes
Proximity
Behavior
► Keep
your hands to your sides and don’t have
them in your pockets
► Don’t stand with legs crossed over
► Don’t lean against objects or walls
► Do not stare and do not make eye contact; In
Japan, this is considered rude
► Do not sit in a way that shows the soles of your
shoes
► Sit on the edge of a chair or sofa to show respect
► In Japan, avoid making the “ok” sign since this
means money and could be interpreted negatively
Behavior Continued
In Japan, avoid pointing because it is viewed as very rude
► In Japan, it is offensive to blow your nose in public. Make
sure to excuse yourself to the bathroom
► Be cautious of facial expressions, smiling can either mean
joy, sadness, anger or embarrassment in Japan
► The Japanese are not uncomfortable with silence. You
should be patient and give them their silence. Do not try to
fill in the void
► The Japanese see guests all the way to exits, and wait until
they are out of sight
► In many Asian cultures, they view work as a group effort
rather than individual effort
►
Business Card
► In
any business travel, arrange to have
business cards printed in English and the
local language on the other side.
► Presentation of yourself to businesspeople
in Asia is culturally different from dealing
with American businesspeople
Japan
► You
do not need to wait to present your card
► Hold card with both hands so they can read your
name
► Then bow, and say your name
► If presenting yourself to more than one person, be
sure to start at highest rank downwards. It is
disrespectful to present yourself to lower ranked
people before higher rank
► Never put cards in wallet or pocket
► Always bow in return
China
► Present
your card before asking for others’
cards
► In both China and Japan it is polite to
accept cards with both hands
► It is rude to put the card away immediately
► Bow in return to show respect
Korea
► Present
your card before asking for other’s
► When receiving a business card, nod your head in
respect and to thank them for the opportunity to
meet them
► It IS appropriate to put the card away immediately
because it would be impolite or ignorant to look at
the card for too long
► Nodding is especially important for senior workers
and high ranked businesspeople
► Always nod in return
Key Things to Remember
► Dress
appropriately and conservatively
► Show respect
► Prepare business cards and consider having them
printed in local languages as well as English
► Before traveling, learn key phrases and words:
Please, Thank You, etc.
► If in doubt, always do research about the culture
to know customs and avoid inappropriate or rude
behavior