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Business Travel Pointers
Business Protocol
Business travellers to Asia will need to keep in mind the cultural chasm
that stretches ahead of them. One false move and you could jeopardise
months of groundwork and maybe even the whole deal. In most Asian
countries, a lot of essential business is done with bureaucrats and
government servants. That means reams and reams of red tape,
interminable delays and paper work.
- The very first thing to never ever forget is not to lose
your patience or your temper.
- Shake hands but refrain from hugging, kissing, winking, patting
or making physical contacts with your hosts.
- Do not point with your finger in China, Taiwan or Japan or sit
with your leg crossed and foot pointing forward in Thailand; never
ask any personal questions, or probe into the personal lives of
Japanese business associates - it’s considered bad manners to
do so.
- Impressions are very important to the Chinese and Japanese, so do
not do anything that may cause you or your hosts to lose face.
- If you are at a restaurant with Taiwanese for company, it’s
considered good manners to offer to foot the entire bill- not just
part of it.
- Using influential contacts to get a job done is common in most
Asian countries; so don’t turn away middlemen or liaison
agents.
- Even though women are being accepted in the more liberal Asian
countries, the same is not true in the Arab world, and women
corporate executives may have a tough time.
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