BIZ ETIQUETTE FOR TRAVELLERS

Tamara Rebeira highlights cross-cultural manners for business travellers

ALWAYS BE ON TIME

Disregarding someone else’s time is impolite, regardless of where you are in the world. Whether you’re heading to a meeting, business lunch or conference, it’s important to make an effort to be on time. Aiming to arrive five or 10 minutes early is a good idea as it allows you to gather yourself before the event begins. Being punctual reflects your respect for others’ time while being late can be seen as thoughtless. An effective approach to ensuring punctuality is to utilise corporate travel apps or even resort to setting reminders and alarms on your mobile device – it’s as simple as that!

DRESS APPROPRIATELY

It’s important to dress appropriately to be in sync with the business culture of the country you’re visiting. When in doubt, it’s safer to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. It is important to strike a balance between comfort and respect when choosing your attire for a business meeting. And it’s essential that you navigate the fine line between dressing comfortably and appropriately, based on cultural and professional expectations. Invest in research to avoid making assumptions since business dress codes can differ from country to country. Make smart choices, mix and match outfits, and choose low maintenance garments when packing your travel essentials.

GREET SUITABLY

Learn the local way of greeting people before you travel by taking the time to learn about the greetings and customs of the country you’re visiting. Find out whether handshakes, bows, nods or other gestures are appropriate. Regardless of cultural norms however, a genuine smile is universally appreciated and can help set a positive tone for your interactions. When addressing someone, especially in a professional setting, use his or her formal title followed by the last name. This demonstrates respect for the person’s position and status. In a group setting, make an effort to greet everyone individually, not merely the most senior person. This shows inclusivity and respect for all participants.

PUT YOUR DEVICES DOWN

While technology is often an essential tool in business, be mindful of its use during meetings and social interactions – after all, it’s courteous to give your full attention to the people you’re interacting with! Before a meeting begins, make sure your devices are set to silent mode. If you need to reference documents or presentations, do so discreetly and avoid prolonged periods of staring at your screen. Check your texts and emails later. And if you’re expecting an urgent call or message, inform the participants at the beginning of the meeting and apologise in advance for any necessary disruptions. Observe how the host or local participants are using their devices.

DINING DOS AND DON’TS

Accustom yourself with the dining customs of the country you’re visiting. Different cultures have different norms regarding table manners and mealtime etiquette. When dining with local hosts or clients, wait for them to start eating or take that first bite. If there’s assigned seating, wait for a prompt on where to sit – if not, allow the host or senior members to take their seats before picking yours. Observe how your hosts or colleagues are eating, and follow their lead in terms of pace, portion sizes and use of utensils. If your host offers a dish or drink, it’s courteous to accept it if you possibly can.

CHECK CULTURAL NORMS

Familiarise yourself with the cultural norms, customs and traditions of the destination you’re planning to visit. This includes greetings, gestures and appropriate dress codes. What might be acceptable in one culture could be offensive or inappropriate in another. Demonstrating cultural awareness can help build trust and positive relationships with business partners, as they’ll appreciate your efforts to understand and respect their way of life. Cultural norms often influence communication styles, body language and gestures. Understanding these nuances helps you communicate more effectively and avoid misinterpretations. Check whether gift giving is customary and what the appropriate gifts are.