A Global Perspective or An International Faux Pas

A Global Perspective or An International Faux Pas “It could cost you a business deal” HSMAI Austin Colleen A. Rickenbacher 14 September 2012

Initial Facts You Need

The way we do things in the USA are not the customs in other countries

The Handshake and Introductions Your first impression…

The USA Handshake • • • Introduce yourself Always be ready Web to web Eye to eye Smile

In Other Cultures • • Significance of age, rank, official title Names used in public • • • First name basis Handshakes/Bows Addressing a person

Handshakes • • • Greeting s Physical closenes s Touching • • Body language Eye contact

Handshakes • • Hugs and Kisses Exchange • • First meeting Start and ending of meeting

Introductions

Introductions Higher to Lesser authority/rank

Introductions Higher to Lesser authority/rank Older to younger when rank is not involved

Introductions Higher to Lesser authority/rank Older to younger when rank is not involved Woman to man when rank is not a factor

Introductions Use formal titles!

Business Card Etiquette • • Always have them Condition Presentation Emphasis on card Case or portfolio Storing them Translation Not flyers

Let’s Go Global for Dress and Appearance • Dress conservatively • Men still wear suits and ties. Often remove jackets during meetings • Avoid bright and vivid colors initially • Modesty in women is important • Woman showing a lot of cleavage or wearing very short skirts will lack respect

Gestures and Faux Pas

Gifts Giving and Receiving Guidelines

Gift Do’s and Don’ts • • Accepting Presenting • • Protocol Superstitions • • Numbers and colors Costs

Tips for Some Cultures • • • Refused at least three times before accepting. Do the same. Present and receive gifts with both hands (or with right hand) Elaborate gift wrapping is necessary Be prepared with a gift on first meeting Gifts generally not opened when received

Colors and Significance • • USA: Black death • Europe: Black death Asia: Wear white funerals Buddhist: Name in red for funerals (so never write their name in red in Asia). Watch your business cards but good for other choices even logos or product (just not names) • • Asia: Red and gold lucky; bonuses given in red envelopes; red candles burned at birthdays; brides wear red England: red more masculine than blue Yellow considered more feminine than pink in many countries

Colors • • • Yellow can convey cowardice or sickness or also high ranking (Asia) – Yellow rose of Texas Green: Islam, not a good choice in dealings; green headgear in China is the symbol for a “pimp” Before you present a gift; print you business cards; or dress for that meeting, check with a contact or mentor in that country

Understandin g the Basics International Visitors

Understandin g the Basics International Visitors Are they coming to you or are you going to them?

Understandin g the Basics International Visitors Are they coming to you or are you going to them? Checklist

Global Travel to Austin 10% Percent of Global Travelers Visit Austin United Kingdom • 46% Vacation and 32% Business • Over $160 million in direct travel spending throughout Texas • 25, 000+ visitors Germany • 53% Vacation and 27% Business • 12, 000+ visitors France • 42% Vacation and 36% Business • 11, 000+ visitors

Austin Global Visitors Global Spending Increases Annually Netherlands • 48% Vacation and 39% Business • 38, 000 visitors in 2011 to Texas with 17. 1% visiting Austin South Korea • 28% Vacation and 54% Business • 27, 000 visitors in 2011 to Texas with 28% visiting Austin • $62 million in direct travel spending across the state • Spend more and stay longer

Must Know Country Brief

Formula 1 United States Grand Prix • Visitors • • • Mexico Canada Europe Asia Middle East

Dining Etiquette • Eating • • • Spitting, licking, , burping Drinking Ordering Paying Tipping (0 -20%)

Respect for Holidays & Vacations Holidays and Religious Celebrations 42 days Italy 37 days France Great Britain 32 days Canada ? ? days USA 14 - 21 days

Respect for Holidays & Vacations Holidays and Religious Celebrations 42 days Italy 37 days France Great Britain 32 days Canada ? ? days USA 14 - 21 days . . . but 41 % cann ot take tim e

Communicating • • Email Time Zones/24 hour clock Translation Dates • • 14 September 2012 14/09/12

Cultural • Mentors • • Language Conversations Gestures and Public Manners Business Attire Setting up Meetings/ Initial Meeting Woman’s Role Conducting Meetings Protocol of Meetings

• • Safety and Health Awareness • • • Visible/Vulnerab le • • SARS/virus/flu Inoculations Doctors Prescriptions Water Pickpockets and purse-snatchers Passports • Duplicate copy • • Credit Cards • • Copy back of cards Non-800 numbers Register Embassies • • Travel. State. Gov STEP

Tips to Move Around Gracefully

Reception and Networking • Your entrance • • Appropriate dress Third party introductions Where do you go first? Best group to approach

Proper Seating Is there really an important seat?

Table Seating

Punctuality • • • You arrive on time, but your host may not 15 to 60 minutes not a problem More important person may keep you waiting longer Later meetings/meals - 9 p. m. /2100 Time is flexible

Skills Develop your skills to be sensitive and comfortable so it comes naturally. You want to be constantly perfecting your cultural competence.

Phrases and Words Always try to learn and speak at least ten words/phrases

Flag Protocol The Order Does Make the Difference

U. S. A. and State Flags • • All state flags may fly at the same height as U. S. flag must be on the right (viewer’s left) Texas consistent with other states State flags either in order of admittance to Union or alphabetically

U. S. and Other Countries • In the United States, the U. S. flag is displayed first followed by the flags of other countries at equal heights and in alphabetical order. (Check the correct name of the country)

Company Flag • • U. S. flag, state flag and company flag (facing display and same height) Two poles – U. S. flag (on right) state flag over the company flag on left Never fly a company flag on same pole as U. S. flag (state and city fine) Center pole higher, then U. S. center with state flag on viewer’s left and city or company flag on right

• • Other Displays If suspended, hang vertically with the union (stars) to viewer’s left Internationally – • • When flags of many nations are flown the flag of the hosting country should be placed on the viewer’s left (or center) with the rest following in alphabetical order in the language of the host country. Each country has their own guidelines

Flag Faux Pas • Do not wear, advertise, print upon, eat or eat on, sit on, decorate, carry across the football field, or discard after use

Faux Pas Violation…but looks beautiful • Never carried flat, horizontally or draped.

Which is Correct?

Let’s Take A Quiz! International Customs

Quiz 1. Your elegant business card, which contains a great deal of red, draws peculiar looks from some international clients. This is because: a) Buddhists write one’s name in red when they are dead b) Some Mexicans find a name in red offensive c) Red is the color of mourning in parts of Africa d) All of the above

Quiz 2. Marshmallows, corn on the cob, grits, pumpkin pie, crawfish, hot dogs. True or False: Most Europeans love those munchies.

Quiz 3. Dinner reservations in Spain are generally for 8: 00 p. m. True or False?

Quiz 4. Pesos are the accepted form of currency in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. True or False?

Quiz 5. Sweden used to own Norway. True or False? Wait. . . how are we related?

Quiz 6. Saudi Arabians don’t eat lobsters. True or False?

Quiz 7. In Japan, tapping one’s finger repeatedly on the table signifies agreement and support of the speaker. True or False?

Quiz 8. Before female executives travel to Brazil, they should be certain their nails are wellmanicured. True or False?

Quiz 9. What province was voted to join Canada in 1949? a) Prince Edward Island b) Alberta c) Newfoundland d) British Columbia

Quiz 10. A British professor was a guest lecturer at an Islamic country university. During his address, he insulted the audience by displaying what part of his body? a) His teeth b) His left hand c) The sole of his foot

Toast ! "Cheers" (Thank you) “Salute” (To health) Or “Cin cin” (Italy) “Aish karo” (Enjoy – India) "干杯，乾杯 （Gan Bei)" (Empty the cup/glass) (China) "Proost" (May it be good – for you) (The Netherlands) "乾杯" (かんぱい) (Kanpai) Japan

Resources • Dept of State -- STEP www. travel. state. gov Department of State: Information for U. S. Citizens Traveling Abroad • www. iaee. com Website for all US Embassies / Consulates / Missions etc. & Trade Statistics

Resources www. colleenrickenbacher. com

Thank You Colleen A. Rickenbacher, CMP, CSEP, CPC, CTA 10747 Rose Creek Court, Dallas, TX 75238 USA 214. 500. 7516 360. 323. 0328 e-fax colleen@crspeaks. com www. colleenrickenbacher. com Co-Founding Partner of Global Protocol, Etiquette & Civility Academy (PEC) Which Specializes in Teaching PEC for Clients Worldwide www. colleenrickenbacher. com