Question

Research the customs that effect business etiquette and relationships.(Example:bowing in Japan rather than a handshake.)

Answer 1

• With the tremendous increase in global trade, learning more about doing international business has become especially significant. It is vital to learn about the different cultures around the world before doing business in other countries, in order to reduce the risk of failure. Becoming knowledgeable about different countries’ communication styles, body language, meeting and negotiation tactics, dress, greetings, and social events are all keys to having good business relationships with individuals in other countries. China, Mexico, France and the United States are nations that do business with each other regularly. While they do share similarities, there are many differences between these cultures.
• Bowing is extremely important: although children normally begin learning how to bow at a very young age, companies commonly train their employees precisely how they are to bow.
• Basic bows are performed by bending from the waist with the back and neck straight, hands at the sides (males) or clasped at the lap (females), and eyes looking down. The body should be composed but not rigid. Generally, the longer and deeper the bow, the stronger the emotion and respect expressed.
• The three main types of bows are informal, formal, and very formal. Informal bows are made at about a fifteen-degree angle or just tilt over one's head to the front, and more formal bows at about thirty degrees. Very formal bows are deeper.
• The etiquette surrounding bowing, including the length, depth, and appropriate response, is exceedingly complex. For example, if one person maintains his or her bow longer than the other person expected (generally about two or three seconds), the person who rose first may express politeness by bowing a second time— and then receive another bow in response. This often leads to a long exchange of progressively lighter bows.
• Generally, an inferior bows longer, more deeply, and more frequently than a superior. A superior addressing an inferior will generally only nod slightly, and some may not bow at all. An inferior will bend forward from the waist. It is important to try to gauge the appropriate depth and duration of bows in different situations: a bow that is too deep or too long for the situation can be interpreted as sarcasm.
• When dealing with non-Japanese people, many Japanese will shake hands. Since many non-Japanese are familiar with the custom of bowing, this often leads to a combined bow and handshake which can become complicated. Bows may be combined with handshakes or performed before or after shaking hands. Generally when bowing in close proximity, as necessitated when combining bowing and shaking hands, people turn slightly to one side (usually the left) to avoid bumping heads.