Let's give you the answer of the last question!
The answer is A - before the conversation.


Quiz: What do the English think about Americans eating fried chicken with their hands?
A) Americans are hope-less slobs
B) It's okay if there are no utensils around
C) Chicken should be boilded, not fried
(please leave your answer in the comment box below)
(Answer will be revealed in the following post! )

To recognize how much you know, let's begin with a small quiz! Highly encourage you to answer it to gain a small prize!

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Table Manner in USA

Hello!

In USA, table manner plays an important part in making a favorable impression. They are visible signals of the state of our manners and therefore are essential to professional success.
The following video which can tell you the dining etiquette -European vs. American Dining Style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fypq2qhRZnI (Last visit: 3 April,2009)


Basic

• Don't pick up the soup bowl and drink from it.
• Don't reach across the table for some kind of food. Please ask someone to pass a dish to you.
• Don't put bones on the table. Just leave them on your plate.
• Don't talk and laugh with food in your mouth.
• Don't use your napkin to clean your face. Just put it on your lap.

Napkin Use

• Put your napkin in different position have different meaning
• Place it on your lap means the meal begins
• Place it on your chair means you will be returning
• Place it on the table means the end of the meal

Use of Silverware
If you remember the rule to work from the outside in, you'll be fine.

• Starting with the knife, fork, or spoon that is farthest from your plate, work your way in, using one utensil for each course.
• The salad fork is on your outermost left, followed by your dinner fork.
• Your soupspoon is on your outermost right, followed by your beverage spoon, salad knife and dinner knife.
• Your dessert spoon and fork are above your plate or brought out with dessert.

When You Have Finished

• Do not push your plate away from you when you have finished eating.
• Place your knife and fork side by side, with the sharp side of the knife blade facing inward
  and the fork, tines down, to the left of the knife.
• Place your knife and fork if they are pointing to the numbers 10 and 4 on a clock face.

Reference:
http://www.fekids.com/img/kln/flash/DontGrossOutTheWorld.swf (Last visit: 3 April,2009)

Answer of last question: C) Eat Food Only with your Right Hand in India!

Quiz: What is the best moment to give your business card?
A) before the conversation
B) during the conversation
C) after the conversation
(please leave your answer in the comment box below)


















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Hello!

In USA,business etiquette is essentially about building relationships with colleagues, clients or customers. In the business world, it is these people that can influence your success or failure. Etiquette, and in particular business etiquette, is simply a means of maximising your business potential by presenting yourself favourably.

Business meetings are one arena in which poor etiquette can have negative effects. By improving your business meeting etiquette you automatically improve your chances of success. Comfort, trust, attentiveness and clear communication are examples of the positive results of demonstrating good etiquette.

DRESS CODE

For the special event dress guidelines:
If you are attending a special event, the invitation may indicate a clothing/dress code.

• If it doesn't, it's a good idea to call the event planner or someone who's attended before, to check what's expected. When in doubt dress a little more formal.
• When you're dressing for the "new" business world, 1) Dress according to your corporate culture. 2) Dress like the people with whom you are doing business.
• If you are the event organizer put the dress code on the invitation, your guests will appreciate it. People want to know what is expected so they don't feel uncomfortable.

BUSINESS CARDS

Keep cards clean and crisp

• Don't hand out worn, dirty or faded business cards unless you want your business to look worn, dirty and faded.
• Make sure your cards are neat and clean and the edges are still sharp.

Wait for the right moment do so at the appropriate time

• Wait until the conversation turns to business, and then politely offer your card face up.
• Gladly accept and offer your own card in return if your contact offers first.
• Business cards should always be passed out before formal meetings begin.

Always have business cards ready ...

• Have a fresh supply of your business cards on hand.
• Know when the next big opportunity will present itself, and it's essential to be prepared.
• Wait for superiors to ask when giving business card

[last visit 31-03-2009]

The answer of the last question
A) "Personal contacts, number of children and size of house"!!

Quiz 6: Which glass would you serve cognac in?

(A)

(B)

(C)

(please leave your answer in the comment box below)
(Answer will be revealed in the following post! )

To recognize how much you know, let's begin with a small quiz! Highly encourage you to answer it to gain a small prize!
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Salaam!(Hindi : सलाम नमस्ते, English : Urdu)

India is a special contury which influence by its culture a lot. We have to follow their customs tightly as a sign of respect, especially when eating and drinking, whcih are intimately tied to Indian customs and religions. As most of the indian believe in Hindus and Muslims, we have to bare in mind that non-vegetarian Hindus do not eat beef, and Muslims do not eat pork.
There are really many cultural stuffs for us to remember even we are in an informal situation.



Giving Gift Etiquette

• Gifts are generally exchanged after meetings.
• Alcohol bottles should be avoided with those who do not drink.
• Don't take large or expensive gifts as this may cause embarrassment.
• If you do take a gift, make sure you present the gift with both hands.

Business Card

• If you have a university degree or any honour, put it on your business card.
• Always use the right hand to give and receive business cards.
• Business cards need not be translated into Hindi as English is widely spoken
  within the business community.

Table Manner

• Wash hands thoroughly before sitting at the table as some Indian foods are primarily eaten by hand.
• Hands should never be washed on the banana leaf.
• Food should be eaten only with right hand.
• Left hand should not touch your plate or leaf and also any of the dishes if some body else is there to serve.
• Put only as much food on your plate as you can eat as you must finish everything on your plate as it is considered a respectful
• Ask for a clean spoon to transfer the food from the common dish to your plate.
• Do not leave the table until others have finished or the host requests you.

The answer of the last post is
C) itadakiGochisuo-sama, if you got it wrong, let's revise the last post~

Quiz: A person's status is determined by...
a) "Personal contacts, number of children and size of house"
b) "Job title, salary and knowledge of languages"
c) "Family background, caste, age and job title"

(please leave your answer in the comment box below)

(Answer will be revealed in the following post! )

To recognize how much you know, let's begin with a small quiz! Highly encourage you to answer it to gain a small prize!

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Salaam!(Hindi : सलाम नमस्ते, English : Urdu)

India is regarded as the emerging wealthy country with 300 million population and rapidly growing IT and manufacturing industries. Investment opportunities are everywhere. India emphasizes the faithfulness towards the God and the traditional caste system. the caste system divides population of the people are classified into 4 hierarchical relationships according to age, university degree, and occupations. People in a upper caste would not do business with the lower caste, or vice versa. However, they would treat the foreigner as God and looking for a long term relationship before doing any business. It is adviced that business should be based upon the mutual trust and respect.

1) Dress Code

• Wear dark coloured and conservative business suits for both men and women
• Wear dress in a hot weather would be considered as informal for women.

2) Business Card

• Put the university degree qualifications on the business card
• Exchange the cards after proper handshake and greeting.
• Give and receive business cards by using the right hand

3) Business Meeting

• Make the appointment by letter at least one month in advance.
• Arrange the meeting in late morning or early afternoon and stay flexible as the appointment maybe rescheduled at the last minute
• Address the indians with their professional titles (e.g. Professor, Doctor and Engineer) before their name or surname. If they do not have a professional title, simply use "Sir" or "Madam".
• Get a chit-chat before coming to the topics so they have chances to get to know who you are.
• Note that the decision making process is made by those who have the most authority. It used to slow and likely to be delayed so do not lose temper.
• Offer concessions on price and terms so they would return the concessions on you too.7) Never be too legalistic as most Indians do not trust the legal system.
  
  
  Episode: Coming up will be the informal etiquettes in india so you may see what and how hinduism eat.

The answer of last question: A)Take a Bow to Japanese

Quiz: What should you say after a meal in Japan?
A) Itadaki
B) masuGochisuo
C) itadakiGochisuo-sama

(please leave your answer in the comment box below) (Answer will be revealed in the following post! )

To recognize how much you know, let's begin with a small quiz! Highly encourage you to answer it to gain a small prize!

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ohayō gozaimasu (おはようございます)

1) Table manners

• Tables & Sitting- with low sitting tables and chairs,because sitting on the floor with feet crossed (for men) or kneeled down (for women)
• Itadakimasu and Gochisosama- say "itadakimasu" ("I gratefully receive") before starting to eat, "gochisosama (deshita)" ("Thank you for the meal") after finishing the meal.
• Share the meals by moving some food from the shared plates onto your own plate by yourself and using the opposite end of your chopsticks or with special chopsticks
• Talking about toilet related and similarly disappetizing topics during or before a meal is not appreciated
• Place all your dishes in the same way as they were at the start of the meal after finishing eating. (Replace the lid of dishes and replace your chopsticks on the chopstick holder)

2) Drinking Rules

• Serve each other and periodically check your friends' cups, and serve them more once their cups are getting empty.
• Be drunk in some formal restaurants, for example in restaurants that serve kaiseki ryori (Japanese haute cuisine) and izakaya is not good.
• Raise for a drinking salute, which usually is “kampai”but not“chin chin”

References: (last visit: 24-03-2009)
https://ksuzuki.blog.uvm.edu/winter2009/2009/01/assignment_4_due_january_8_thu.html http://everyday.3yen.com/2007-02-01/japanese-table-manners/
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/quizzes17/missfabi/EatingManners.html

Have you got the last question right?
The answer is B) Clock

Quiz 3: When introducing yourself in Japan, what should follow your name?
a) Company name
b) Job Title
c) Position
(please leave your answer in the comment box below)
(Answer will be revealed in the following post! )

To recognize how much you know, let's begin with a small quiz! Highly encourage you to answer it to gain a small prize!
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ohayō gozaimasu (おはようございます)

Similar to China, Japan is a high contexting country which weighs collectivism and respects to individuals, ages, companies, methodologies, etc. The formal meeting, in the Japanese viewpoint, is the first step to build long term relationship, but not really a situation to make immediate business decisions.

1) Dress Code

• Wear conservative and neat "Sebiro" which stands for the suit.
• Wear no high heels shoes and towering over the hosts

2) Business card "meishi"

• Translate it both in Japanese and English and include your position and the company on it.
• Offer the card with both hands or just the right hand when there is no barrier between you and the recipient such as a table or chair.
• Bring alone a case to store cards and keep this in the inside pocket of a suit jacket.

3) Business Customs and Taboos

• Take bow and lower the eyes when greeting people, getting attention, showing gratitude, expressing sympathy or an apology
• Introduce yourself with your full name and then your company name. Address someone with their company name first and positions titles
• Greet from the seniors employees to the lower ranking employees. It is because the senior one would act as the representative of the company and the lower ranking ones would talk and negotiate in the meetings.
• Note the seating positions along the table are in decreasing order of importance.
• Agree with the ideas with a nodding of heads or "yes's (hai) and disagree with " maybe" instead of using "no" (iie) because it seem to be direct and negative
• Make compliments to groups instead of individuals
  
  
  Episode: What gifts should you give Japanese in order to prevent offense?
  

Answer of Quiz 1:
A -- The negotiation team through consensus

QUIZ 2:
Which of these would should you avoid when giving gifts?
A) Anything in or to do with the number 4
B) Clocks
C) Vases
(please leave your answer in the comment box below)

(Answer will be revealed in the following post! ; )
To recognize how much you know, let's begin with a small quiz!
Highly encourage you to answer it to gain a small prize! )
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Informal Business Etiquette in China

Ni hao (你好)!

To know about etiquette of Chinese habits such as gift giving, business card and table manner will make your stay at a Chinese family easy and relaxed. And making you stay in China more convenient and comfortable.

1) Giving Gift
Gift giving is the proper etiquette for gifts to be exchanged for celebrations, as thanks for assistance and even as a sweetener for future favours.

• Don't wrap gifts in black, white or blue; red is favoured.
• Not to give gifts in the absence of a good reason or a witness since gift giving is forbidden by law.
• Don't give cash.
• Depending on the item, avoid giving one of something. Giving it in pairs.

2) Business Card

• Translated into Chinese using Simplified Chinese characters that areprinted in gold ink.
• Ensure the translation into the appropriate Chinese language, i.e. Cantonese or Mandarin.
• Include your title.
• Hold the card in both hands when offering it-Never write on someone's card unless so directed.

3) Table Manner

The following video tells you why you need to know the etiquette of Table Manner in China.


Introduction to Chinese Dining Etiquette -- powered by ExpertVillage.com (Last vist: 13Mar,2009)

Table manners is part of Chinese eating custom. Unlike the West where everyone has their own plate of food, in China the dishes are placed on the table and everybody shares them, which forms the main differenc of eating habits.

• Use the chopsticks to put food in your bowl or plate.
• Don't stick your chopsticks upright in the rice bowl.
• Make sure the spout of the teapot is not facing anyone. The spout should always be directed to where nobody is sitting, usually just outward from the table.
• Don't tap on your bowl with your chopsticks.
  Haha....No one answers the quiz 1 in the last post.
  Next post will talk about the formal etiquette in Japan!! XD

To recognize how much you know, let's begin with a small quiz!

Quiz 1:Who would you expect to make decisions from negotiations and meetings?
A)The negotiation team through consensus
B)Most senior ranking attendee
C)Your direct counterpart
(please leave your answer in the comment box below)
(Answer will be revealed in the following post! )
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Ni hao (你好)

The followings are the essential business etiquette that you need to know when doing business with the Chinese. This episode is focusing on the business etiquette during the formal situations, especially when before meetings and during meetings. With a unique history and background, China have its own unique business culture and etiquette. To avoid any cultural disasters, here are some tips for you on how you can conduct a more successful business in China.



Before meetings

1) Scheduling the meeting -- Must be made in advance

• Try and book meetings between April – June and September – October.
• Avoid all national holidays especially Chinese New Year. The Chinese New Year which varies according to the lunar calendar, is sacrosant. Business is rarely conducted in the week preceding and following it.

2) Preparing -- Sending agenda

• Prior to any meeting always send an agenda, make sure that what is to be discussed is made clear beforehand
• Colours are important throughout Chinese culture. Black and white is saftest in business documents.

Meeting

1) Timing -- Don't be late! -Punctuality is considered a virtue.

• Guests are greeted upon arrival by a representative and escorted to the meeting room; hosts are expected to be in place before guests arrive.

2) Seats arrangement -- To the right

• The principal guest is usually seated to the principal host’s right, on a sofa or chairs opposite the door.

3) Greeting -- Shaking of hands mildly and a slight nod of the head

• Meetings start with the shaking of hands and a slight nod of the head. Be sure not to be overly vigorous when shaking hands as the Chinese will interpret this as aggressive.
• Body posture should always be formal and attentive as this shows you have self-control and are worthy of respect.

4) Exchanging business card (On initial meeting) --
Mention all the necessary information on your card

• Business cards are exchanged on an initial meeting
• Use both hands to receive it and show your interest by taking some time to read the details of the card.

5) During Meeting -- Be formal and avoid political issues

• If this is your first meeting then start with your experiences in China so far. Keep it positive and avoid anything political.
• Never become too informal and avoid humour.
• Dont mention Taiwan and dont criticise the Chinese leadership.

6) Negotiating -- Be patient and show compromise

• The Chineses' primary aim in negotiations is ‘concessions’
• You must be willing to show compromise and ensure their negotiators feel they have gained major concessions.
• Be patient and never show anger or frustration.
• Decisions will take a long time either because there is a lack of urgency.

Chinese Business Etiquette: Meeting Protocol -- powered by ExpertVillage.com (Last visit:9 Mar,2009)

In the following episode, you can further discover the informal business etiquettes in China more thoroughly. See you!

Having a brief understanding about what is business etiquette and our teaching objective, we would like to start teaching the business etiquettes countries by countries. Before we start, since different etiquettes applie to different contexts, we would identify the formal and informal business meetings and respective general etiquettes .

Fomal Meetings
A formal meeting refers to a preplanned meeting with predetermined set of topics that participants would discuss at the aim to achieve or compromise on objectives. It includes conference, trade fairs and communication in workplace. Followings are some guidelines.

Dress code

• Wear suit and keep it pressed, cleaned and with finished seams. Revealing too much cleavage, back, chest, feet, stomach or underwear is no acceptable.
• Wear a conservative tie and a white shirt or blouse are widely acceptable. The cuffs need to be fastened.
• Wear black or brown shoes and polish them until they shine. No scandals.
• Groom hair, moustaches, beards and nasal hair. Female may also shave legs and armpits.
• Trim fingernails
• Wear a pair of earrings with one earring on each ear. No fussy jewelery.
• Make up but not in a ski-slope way ( 3-inches of powder on top of a 6-inch base).
• Apply some cologne and perfume, but not overdo it!

Business card

• Prepare plenty of business cards with accurate personal contact details. Translate the cards into foreign language if needed.
• Exchange them at the beginning or at the end of the meeting
• Read through , comment on and clarifing the information before putting it away.

Behaviors

• Be punctual so do not keep people waiting and abuses their time.
• Switch off the mobile phone
• Ask if there is an established seating pattern before taking the seat.
• Acknowledge any introductions or openings with a brief recognition of the chairman and other participants.
• Allow senior management to contribute first when discussions are under way.
• Note what has been said and return to it later with the chairman's permission but never interrupt anyone - even if you disagree strongly.

Informal Meetings

On the other hand, informal meetings refer to those generally not planned well in advance. The atmosphere is more relaxed and may not necessarily take place in the office or meeting room. It includes business dining, giving gift, gesture, etc

Table manners

Gift giving

Episode: Based on the research we have done, many organisations would do businesses in China, Japan, USA, and India and so we would like focus on evaluating business etiquette in these places.

Who are we?
We, Business Etiquette Training Center, is an online training company specialized and reputated in providing training programme of business etiquette to organisations via blogs. We partner with organizations to help them obtain the knowledge and skill set which is essential to business success. Our trainers are devoted to exploring the customs and culture of each country and they have been carefully selected in respect of their education level and experience. Hence, we guaranteed you a comprehensive training courses so that you can apply what you have learnt in real business meetings.

What do we teach?
Business etiquettes matter a lot. We would select the business etiquette skills such as social skills, proper manners, and refined societal interaction, as our teaching content.

Why do we teach Etiquette?
Etiquette applied in all business. In our soictey, proper manners and interactions are essential for smoothing the communication process and reduce unnecessary misunderstanding. It helps building relationships with different parties and even gaining business successes or competitive advantages over others.

What is business etiquette?
Business etiquette is an allencompassing terminology for successful personal skills and communication in the workplace, covering every area of communication, across all disciplines and all eventualities. -- Lynne Brennan

Business etiquette is in essence about building relationships with people. In the business world, it is people that influence your success or failure. Etiquette, and in particular business etiquette, is simply a means of maximising your business potential. (http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/10-16-2004-60520.asp Last visit: 20 Feb,2009)

Learning Outcomes (Bloom's Taxonomy)
For different culture, the etiquette varies and we will explain and evaluate them in different perspectives so that you will be able to attain these levels in the bloom's taxonomy stey by step.

Knowledge
You will be able to:

• Define what is business etiquette
• Memorize the norms, customs, cultures and their business etiquette respectively for different countries (China, Japan, USA and India)
• Recall those etiquette when needed

Comprehension
You will be able to:

• Describe the differences of etiquette for different countries
• Classify the business etiquette into formal and informal areas
• Discuss and explain the skills with your colleagues

Application
You will be able to:

• Choose different etiquette skills for different countries accordingly and,
• Apply and practice the skills when doing business with multinational businessman
• Use the skills to solve and minimize the cultural barriers of different countries

Analysis
You will be able to:

• Compare and differentiate the business etiquette for different countries, such as the attitude difference towards time between China and USA
• Question the use of etiquette skills for different situations
• Examine the reason of the etiquette differences, such as the culture and norms

Synthesis
You will be able to:

• Manage your etiquette skills and use them appropriately
• Construct and write the business etiquette in different countries with your own experience in addition to the program
• Setup a list of etiquette skills for you company which is useful in your business

Evaluation
You will be able to:

• Judge others' etiquette skills in different situations for further reference in your company
• Estimate and predict the skills to use before meeting the business representative from other countries
• Select the best skills to use which can facilitate and enhance your business or gaining advantages

(We will arrange classes which offered for businesspeople and those who will go to work very soon. Customized enrichment programs are offered to organizations and corporations. )

Teaching Schedule

1. We will update this blog twice a week. In each week, we will focus on the business etiquette in one country.
2. In the every post, we would, first, give an interesting quiz about the business etiquette in a particular country. We will post the answer of the quiz in the next post. If you answer the quiz correctly, you will received a tiny gift. The name of winner(s) will post on next post. Then, we would briefly describe the formal or informal situation in each country -- China, Japan USA and India. Lastly, Episode about the topic of next post would be shown at the end of each post.
3. We will reply your questions and comments as soon as possible

We highly encourage you to visit this blog. Since our etiquette teaching is a doctrine, your feelings and opinions are all welcome and essential for our further improvement! Hope you enjoy it!