Cross Cultural Etiquette and Manners: UK

United Kingdom (UK): Etiquette and Manners

• British people are bit on more formal side.
• Firm shake hand, irrespective of gender, is good. Do it while meeting and leaving.
• Address with Mr, Mrs or Miss followed by the surname.
• Do not start using the first name until invited to do so.
• Exchange the business cards at the beginning of meeting without much of ceremony.
• Do not stare into the eyes of English people.
• Introduction protocol should be followed. Introduce younger person to an older person. Introduce lower rank person to higher rank person. Introduce gentleman to lady.
• Business meetings are generally formal with clear objectives and agenda.
• If you plan on an agenda, forward it to your British colleague(s) in advance for reviewing it and recommending any changes.
• The business proceedings normally start after a brief small talk.
• In your presentation do not claim more than what are facts. Support your presentation with facts and figures.
• Follow up the meeting with a letter summarizing the decisions arrived at and the future steps to be taken.
• Do not probe people with personal questions.
• When invited for dinner at a restaurant, be punctual. If invited at home, you may be late by 10 minutes or so, it's OK.
• If invited at home, present a gift to your host. It can be a box of good chocolates, a bottle of good wine or bouquet of flowers etc.
• Follow the dining table manners. Follow the continental manners.
• Do not sit down unless requested. The host may indicate the place where to sit.
• Communicate at a bit formal level unless you are close to the person or have developed personal friendship.
• Do not lean on table or do not rest your elbows on the table while dining.
• If invited to a meal at a restaurant, the person extending the invitation usually pays. Do not argue about paying it yourself; you may reciprocate at a later day.
• Discipline is important. If you you happen to see a queue, always go to the end of it and wait for your turn.
• Do not use or chew on a toothpick in public.
• Do not spit any where.

(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

1. HSoftware (Human Software) (The Only Key to Higher Effectiveness) 
2. Sensitive Stories of Corporate World (Management Case Studies) 
3. Classic Management Games, Exercises, Energizers and Icebreakers 
4. Classic Management Games, Exercises, Energizers and Icebreakers (Volume 2)
5. Classic Team Building Management Games, Exercises, Energizers and Icebreakers
6. 101 Classic Management Games, Exercises, Energizers and Icebreakers (available only as a paperback)
7. Stress? No Way!! (Handbook on Stress Management) 
8. HSoftware (Shyam Bhatawdekar’s Effectiveness Model) 
9. Competency Management (Competency Matrix and Competencies) 
10. Essentials of Work Study (Method Study and Work Measurement) 
11. Essentials of Time Management (Taking Control of Your Life) 
12. Essentials of 5S Housekeeping 
13. Essentials of Quality Circles 
14. Essentials of Goal Setting 
15. Essentials of Anger Management 
16. Essentials of Assertive Behavior
17. Essentials of Performance Management and Performance Appraisal
18. Essentials of Effective Communication (soon to be published)
19. Health Essentials (Health is Wealth)
20. Soft Skills You Can't Do Without (Goal Setting, Time Management, Assertiveness and Anger Management)
21. The Romance of Intimacy (How to Enhance Intimacy in a Relationship?) 

Novels, Short Stories, Biographies and Travelogues

1. Good People (Dream of a Boundary Less World)- Novel, a refreshingly different love story (Also available under the title Love Knows No Bounds) 
2. The Peace Crusaders- a most intriguing novel
3. Two Novels in One Book (The Peace Crusaders and Love Knows No Bounds)
4. Funny (and Not So Funny) Short Stories 
5. Stories Children Will Love (Volume 1: Bhanu-Shanu-Kaju-Biju and Dholu Ram Gadbad Singh) 
6. My Father
7. Travelogue: Scandinavia, Russia
8. Travelogue: Europe