International Business Etiquette, Can It Help

ABSTRACT

This paper takes a look into whether or not “etiquette” on an international level can help someone to further their business relationships in today’s global work environment. It seeks to establish that having an understanding of the individuals, businesses, and even the countries that you may encounter in your business dealings, can only give you an edge over your competition. It will also attempt to show that through respecting oneself it is easier to treat people with the respect and dignity that they deserve. 

In today’s ever-changing, fast paced business environment it is important to be able to understand not only the etiquette, customs, and traditions of companies here in the United States, but it is also important to know those same concepts for the international world at large. The need for etiquette has not gone away. With the advancements in technology expanding the global work environment today, knowledge of other people and their cultures is needed more now than at any other time in our past. Whether we are going on vacation or have a business meeting planned in another country, we need to think about where we are going and how we should act towards the people we are going to meet. What is good, bad, right and wrong for us may not be the same for someone in another country. Taking the time to learn and understand others may make the difference in a successful trip or one that ends in disappointment. In their book “Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands,” Morrison and Conaway state that: “Each culture has a system for dividing right from wrong, or good from evil.” (Morrison & Conaway, 2006, Pg. XII). By examining how good manners apply to our environment, we may be able to help ourselves and those that we deal with. After all, who you are shows in your actions, reactions and how you treat others. Knowing how to behave will help the way others perceive you. What is the proper way in the United States to conduct business may not be the proper...