A Global Perspective or An International Faux Pas

1. A Global Perspective or An International Faux Pas “It could cost you a business deal” HSMAI Austin Colleen A. Rickenbacher 14 September 2012

2. Initial Facts You Need

3. The way we do things in the USA are not the customs in other countries

4. Your first impression… The Handshake and Introductions

5. The USAHandshake • Introduce yourself • Always be ready • Web to web • Eye to eye • Smile

6. In Other Cultures • First name basis • Handshakes/Bows • Addressing a person • Significance of age, rank, official title • Names used in public

7. Handshakes • Greetings • Physical closeness • Touching • Body language • Eye contact

8. Handshakes • Hugs and Kisses • Exchange • First meeting • Start and ending of meeting

9. Introductions

10. Introductions Higher to Lesser authority/rank

11. Introductions Higher to Lesser authority/rank Older to younger when rank is not involved

12. Introductions Higher to Lesser authority/rank Older to younger when rank is not involved Woman to man when rank is not a factor

13. Introductions Use formal titles!

14. Always have them Condition Presentation Emphasis on card Case or portfolio Storing them Translation Not flyers Business Card Etiquette

15. Dress conservatively • Men still wear suits and ties. Often remove jackets during meetings • Avoid bright and vivid colors initially • Modesty in women is important • Woman showing a lot of cleavage or wearing very short skirts will lack respect Let’s Go Global for Dress and Appearance

16. Gestures and Faux Pas

17. Giving and Receiving Guidelines Gifts

18. Gift Do’s and Don’ts • Protocol • Superstitions • Numbers and colors • Costs • Accepting • Presenting

19. Refused at least three times before accepting. Do the same. Present and receive gifts with both hands (or with right hand) Elaborate gift wrapping is necessary Be prepared with a gift on first meeting Gifts generally not opened when received Tips for Some Cultures

20. Colors and Significance USA: Black death Europe: Black death Asia: Wear white funerals Buddhist: Name in red for funerals (so never write their name in red in Asia). Watch your business cards but good for other choices even logos or product (just not names) Asia: Red and gold lucky; bonuses given in red envelopes; red candles burned at birthdays; brides wear red England: red more masculine than blue Yellow considered more feminine than pink in many countries

21. Colors Yellow can convey cowardice or sickness or also high ranking (Asia) – Yellow rose of Texas Green: Islam, not a good choice in dealings; green headgear in China is the symbol for a “pimp” Before you present a gift; print you business cards; or dress for that meeting, check with a contact or mentor in that country

22. International Visitors Understanding the Basics

23. International Visitors Understanding the Basics Are they coming to you or are you going to them?

24. International Visitors Understanding the Basics Are they coming to you or are you going to them? Checklist

25. Global Travelto Austin United Kingdom • 46% Vacation and 32% Business • Over $160 million in direct travel spending throughout Texas • 25,000+ visitors Germany • 53% Vacation and 27% Business • 12,000+ visitors France • 42% Vacation and 36% Business • 11,000+ visitors 10% Percent of Global Travelers Visit Austin

26. Austin Global Visitors Netherlands • 48% Vacation and 39% Business • 38,000 visitors in 2011 to Texas with 17.1% visiting Austin South Korea • 28% Vacation and 54% Business • 27,000 visitors in 2011 to Texas with 28% visiting Austin • $62 million in direct travel spending across the state • Spend more and stay longer Global Spending Increases Annually

27. Must Know Country Brief

28. Formula 1United States Grand Prix • Visitors • Mexico • Canada • Europe • Asia • Middle East

29. Dining Etiquette • Eating • Spitting, licking,, burping • Drinking • Ordering • Paying • Tipping (0-20%)

30. Respect for Holidays & Vacations Holidays and Religious Celebrations 42 days Italy 37 days France Great Britain 32 days ?? days Canada USA 14 - 21 days

31. Respect for Holidays & Vacations Holidays and Religious Celebrations 42 days Italy 37 days France Great Britain 32 days ?? days Canada ...but 41% cannot take time USA 14 - 21 days

32. Communicating • Email • Time Zones/24 hour clock • Translation • Dates • 14 September 2012 • 14/09/12

33. Cultural Mentors • Language • Conversations • Gestures and Public Manners • Business Attire • Setting up Meetings/ Initial Meeting • Woman’s Role • Conducting Meetings • Protocol of Meetings

34. Safety and Health • Credit Cards • Copy back of cards • Non-800 numbers • Register Embassies • Travel.State.Gov • STEP • Awareness • SARS/virus/flu • Inoculations • Doctors • Prescriptions • Water • Visible/Vulnerable • Pickpockets and purse-snatchers • Passports • Duplicate copy

35. Tips to Move Around Gracefully Working the Room

36. Reception and Networking • Your entrance • Appropriate dress • Third party introductions • Where do you go first? • Best group to approach

37. Proper Seating Is there really an important seat?

38. Table Seating

39. Punctuality • You arrive on time, but your host may not • 15 to 60 minutes not a problem • More important person may keep you waiting longer • Later meetings/meals - 9 p.m./2100 • Time is flexible

40. Skills Develop your skills to be sensitive and comfortable so it comes naturally. You want to be constantly perfecting your cultural competence.

41. Phrases and Words Always try to learn and speak at least ten words/phrases

42. Flag Protocol The Order Does Make the Difference

43. U.S.A.and State Flags • All state flags may fly at the same height as U.S. flags • U.S. flag must be on the right (viewer’s left) • Texas consistent with other states • State flags either in order of admittance to Union or alphabetically

44. U.S. and Other Countries • In the United States, the U.S. flag is displayed first followed by the flags of other countries at equal heights and in alphabetical order. (Check the correct name of the country)

45. Company Flag • U.S. flag, state flag and company flag (facing display and same height) • Two poles – U.S. flag (on right) state flag over the company flag on left • Never fly a company flag on same pole as U.S. flag (state and city fine) • Center pole higher, then U.S. center with state flag on viewer’s left and city or company flag on right

46. Other Displays • If suspended, hang vertically with the union (stars) to viewer’s left • Internationally – • When flags of many nations are flown the flag of the hosting country should be placed on the viewer’s left (or center) with the rest following in alphabetical order in the language of the host country. • Each country has their own guidelines

47. Do not wear, advertise, print upon, eat or eat on, sit on, decorate, carry across the football field, or discard after use Flag Faux Pas

48. Faux PasViolation…but looks beautiful • Never carried flat, horizontally or draped.

49. Which is Correct?

50. Let’s Take A Quiz! International Customs