United States of America (USA): Etiquette and Manners
- In USA, East Coast is more conservative and formal in their dress and manners than the West Coast.
- For business meetings, in general, dark colored business suit with white shirt (for less formal meetings light blue shirt) and tie are appropriate. For ladies too, formal attire is recommended. Women should wear a classic suit or dress with jacket. Err on conservative appearance.
- Wear casual clothes when not attending a business meeting or dinner. Dress should be neat and clean in look. Men may put on comfortably fitting trousers with casual shirts. Wearing jeans or shorts, even in a casual business environment, may be inappropriate. Women may wear comfortably fitting shirts with casual shirts or tops. Again, err on conservative appearance.
- Wearing jeans or khaki pants or shorts is quite in place outside the business related environment, like visiting malls etc.
- Punctuality is very important due to the work ethic of USA
- In USA, generally, honest hard work is valued
- Business meetings may be over breakfast, lunch or dinner based on appropriateness. Business dinner is also treated as social and rapport building meal
- Business conversation usually takes place during meals. You may also find good degree of social conversation taking place during the meals.
- Gifts are discouraged or limited by many US companies. If you wish to give a gift, it should be modest and should never be seen as a bribe. you can send a gracious written note.
- Discipline is important. If you you happen to see a line or queue, always go to the end of line and wait for your turn.
- Do not use or chew on a toothpick in public.
- Do not spit any where
- Public places and private homes do not allow smoking, most times because of laws preventing smoking. In case you desire to smoke, ask permission. If permission is not given, do not feel offended.
- On meeting people or on departing, offer a firm handshake, lasting few seconds maintaining eye contact with the person. Good eye contact shows interest, sincerity and confidence.
- Good friends may briefly embrace. Err on more formal behavior.
- Introduce as Mr, Ms, Mrs followed by full name.
- Business cards are generally exchanged during introductions. However, they may be exchanged while leaving.
- A smile is a sign of friendliness
- At times, Americans may ask people as to the nature of their profession. In many countries, it may be considered an offensive question- but In USA, it could be a typical starter for conversation.
- For Americans, a way to establish a connection with people, some times, may be, is to cut jokes, especially about work-related issues. However, do not joke about gender, religion or politics.
- In USA, it is better not to speak about or show any ethnic and racial inclinations.
- Follow the road, parking and social hygiene disciplines strictly as per country's requirements.
(Also refer: http://executive-manners.blogspot.com/ for general etiquette and manners, http://dining-manners.blogspot.com/ dining etiquette and table manners, http://telephone-etiquette.blogspot.com/ for telephone etiquette, http://email-etiquette-manners.blogspot.com/ for email etiquette)
Books Suggested for your Professional, Organization's and Personal Library (all the titles below are available online from Amazon in paperbacks and as eBooks)
Business Management, Life Management, Self-help, Personality Development
- HSoftware (Human Software) (The Only Key to Higher Effectiveness)
- Sensitive Stories of Corporate World (Management Case Studies)
- Classic Management Games, Exercises, Energizers and Icebreakers
- Classic Management Games, Exercises, Energizers and Icebreakers (Volume 2)
- Classic Team Building Management Games, Exercises, Energizers and Icebreakers
- 101 Classic Management Games, Exercises, Energizers and Icebreakers (available only as a paperback)
- Stress? No Way!! (Handbook on Stress Management)
- HSoftware (Shyam Bhatawdekar’s Effectiveness Model)
- Competency Management (Competency Matrix and Competencies)
- Essentials of Work Study (Method Study and Work Measurement)
- Essentials of Time Management (Taking Control of Your Life)
- Essentials of 5S Housekeeping
- Essentials of Quality Circles
- Essentials of Goal Setting
- Essentials of Anger Management
- Essentials of Assertive Behavior
- Essentials of Performance Management and Performance Appraisal
- Essentials of Effective Communication (soon to be published)
- Health Essentials (Health is Wealth)
- Soft Skills You Can't Do Without (Goal Setting, Time Management, Assertiveness and Anger Management)
- The Romance of Intimacy (How to Enhance Intimacy in a Relationship?)
Novels, Short Stories, Biographies and Travelogues
- Good People (Dream of a Boundary Less World)- Novel, a refreshingly different love story (Also available under the title Love Knows No Bounds)
- The Peace Crusaders- a most intriguing novel
- Two Novels in One Book (The Peace Crusaders and Love Knows No Bounds)
- Funny (and Not So Funny) Short Stories
- Stories Children Will Love (Volume 1: Bhanu-Shanu-Kaju-Biju and Dholu Ram Gadbad Singh)
- My Father
- Travelogue: Scandinavia, Russia
- Travelogue: Europe
