Business Etiquette In India And Other Countries
Indian Culture
According to Indian custom business meetings are introduce through third party. If meetings are with a group of people, then each person is greeted individually where senior and oldest people are greeted first because it is considered to respect the elders at every place whether it is the workplace or the home. If any meeting is scheduled at a particular time, then according to Indian tradition it is considered to be slightly late than scheduled time. Also taking the blessings of parents, elders and eat something sweet before going to important meeting is must. During the meeting exchange of the gifts like the bouti and business cards is common to show professionalism and respect to the other company people. The traditional way of greeting a person is to raise and fold both the hands to which we call Namaste but, in the workplace, only the hand shake is common, that too if other person takes initiative otherwise touching each other is avoided due to religious restrictions in females. Usually men wear suits-ties and the colors of the cloths are soft and decent colors rather than the bright colors whereas women wear pant-suits, sarees or long skirts. It is believed that women should wear long cloths rather than short which is considered according to the religious beliefs of the people. Aggressive and disrespectful body language like folded arms, hand on hips and putting feet on furniture, pointing to another person are avoided and women are treated with more politeness, courtesy and respect. Decisions for meetings are hardly made quickly and on time because they go in the core detail to get the best outcome or the solution for the implantation that can provide benefit to the company as well as the society, so it is normal that one can get bored up easily but one has to be patient.
The official languages are Hindi which is the national language spoken all over India and English which is mostly preferred in the offices all over India. Also, in-between the meeting if the meeting takes for longer time then the arrangement for the refreshments including the lunch and dinner is made.
Culture in Other Countries
In Japan, people generally bow for greeting each other for official, business greetings. However, their style may differ according to situation. In Spain people usually kiss on each cheek first right then left. Actually, in business purpose kissing is avoided and not mandatory, until and unless partners are more familiar to each other. In Netherlands familiar and close people kiss on cheek three times right then left and then right. But with strangers there is handshake accompanied with silence.
In Korea an-nyung-ha-se-yo is greeting with hands on sides, usually there is brief eye contact. In Australia people greet each other with firm handshake, smile on face, with proper eye contact. In Japan it is important to keep distance from the person whom one is greeting, as touching is not considered appropriate. Distance of at least two feet is preferred from person. In Australia while greeting people keep a distance of few feet, as they don’t feel comfortable to invade into private or personal space of each other.
Usually kissing is not considered important for business meetings, only business associates who are more familiar, then only this greeting is preferred. But among friends and family members it is common in France, Spain, Netherlands, Latin America, Australia, Quebec in Canada.
