Say Anything to Anyone, Anywhere: 5 Keys To Successful Cross-Cultural Communication

Chapter 24

Global Etiquette Tips

What All Cultures Appreciate—No Need to Reinvent the Wheel!

Cultural etiquette, politeness, and good manners are passed down through societies from generation to generation. Etiquette refers to the cultural guidelines for what is appropriate or inappropriate and polite or impolite. It gives a culture structure, integrity, grace, and finesse—all of which are uniquely adapted from one culture to another. Fortunately, simple business and social etiquette are often based on basic common sense. Although etiquette styles and fads may come and go, the fundamentals of global etiquette remain essentially the same.

The following tips on what to do and what to avoid will help you engage in successful global business and social interactions. Although not all tips necessarily apply to all cultures, they will help to avoid embarrassing faux pas and guide you toward establishing quality relationships and friendships.

What to Do

• Show respect. The most important of the global etiquette tips is to show respect for what is important to another person and his or her culture. This includes respecting the various cultural distinctions that make us all unique and individual. Although cultural conditioning has deep roots, respect is universally understood—and is an essential step in bridging the cultural gap.
• Show you care. Be proactive and learn about what’s important to the cultures you visit or interact with. This will help you win friendships and develop business ...