Cross Cultural Etiquette and Manners: Singapore

Singapore: Etiquette and Manners

• Age, hierarchical position or status of a person are important in Singapore business world and society.
• Group dependence and group harmony are more important than those of an individual in Singapore culture. So, group is more important than an individual.
• Business dealings are more formal.
• Meetings and appointments should be planned and dates decided well in advance, say two weeks or so before.
• Many businesses are closed around Chinese new year for almost a week- this is in late January and early February. Plan your meetings accordingly.
• Arrive for the meeting punctually.
• Introductions are done in order of age or status. Elderly person or the person with the highest status is introduced first.
• Greetings can be exchanged with hand-shake in business environment. In social setup, particularly with older people, greeting by way of bowing the head is acceptable.
• Men and women may shake hands if woman takes the initiative in extending her hand first. To be on the conservative side, when being introduced to someone of the opposite sex, bowing or nodding the head and giving smile are OK.
• Exchange your business cards after the introductions.
• Give your business card by using both hands.
• Receive business cards, examine them carefully to display your respect and then alone put them in your business cards case.
• Seating arrangement in meetings follows hierarchy and therefore, wait to be told about your and your associates' seats.
• Personal relationships help in building the business relationships in Singapore.
• In business meetings, the business agenda follows an initial small talk.
• You will have to give lot of attention to the non-verbal body language, silence, hints and such subtlety of their communications. Explicit "no" is normally not used by Singaporeans.
• Pace of business negotiations is rather slow normally.
• Normally, decisions are taken in group by a consensus.
• Do not give gifts in the formal dinners.
• When invited at homes, it is good to give gifts.
• Wrap the gift in wrappers of pleasant colors and hand it over with both the hands.
• Give the gift when you are departing.
• While receiving the gift, do not open it in front of the host.

(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 

Cross Cultural Etiquette and Manners: India

India: Etiquette and Manners

• Plan your business meetings with your Indian counterparts well in advance in writing and also, over the phone.
• Try to avoid your meetings around the Indian holidays.
• Indian climate is hot and not so comfortable particularly during summer. Take this into consideration while visiting India for business or for pleasure.
• For business meetings, men can be formally dressed, may wear a suit and tie. In summer, you may have to remove your jacket.
• When not attending formal business, men can wear short-sleeved shirts and long pants. You do not see many people wearing shorts on the streets and in social gatherings in India. This trend is gradually changing though, particularly in big cities.
• Women should wear conservative dresses or pantsuits for business meetings.
• Women should not wear revealing outfits in business meetings as well as while going out for shopping or to places of entertainment in India.
• Meetings may not always start on dot. Try to be punctual but if the meetings start after the scheduled time, do not feel discouraged. At times meetings may get rescheduled, do not get frustrated immediately.
• Age and hierarchy are important factors to decide the importance of people in India. In social and family environment, people of higher age are respected by the people of lower age. However, in government and in business organizations, hierarchy and power positions are respected.
• Therefore, as a business meeting protocol, greet the most senior Indian person the first and then others.
• When you meet an Indian or when you leave him, you can greet him by a hand-shake. The common greeting in India is saying “Namaste (pronounced as na-mas-tay)” to the person you are greeting and while saying so, bring your palms together at chest level with a slight bow of the head.
• You may shake hands; however, greeting with "Namaste" is appreciated lot more, particularly, when meeting people in informal environment.
• Men shake hands with men when meeting or leaving. Men do not shake hands with women or do not touch them.
• Women may do a hand-shake with westernized Indian men but not normally with others. Traditional Indian women may shake hands with foreign women but not usually with men.
• When addressing an Indian, use the appropriate formal title like Mr, Mrs, Miss, Doctor, Professor and then his or her surname (the family name) or if you do not know their names then you may address them with sir or madam.
• In the formal setup, Indians do not deal with each other on first name basis that easily. It takes them some time though this trend is changing gradually.
• When doing business in India, exchange your business cards at the beginning of the meeting. Give your card by your right hand.
• In most of the government departments and for almost all the businesses in India, you can use English as the medium of communication.
• Building relationships is important in order to carry out your business in India.
• Meetings may normally start with some small talk as part of opening up process. Topics of opening conversation may be the latest business news etc. Never comment on matters such as poverty etc, it is impolite and hurting.
• Decisions making is pretty centralized at the highest hierarchical levels in India. Therefore, the decision making or business negotiation process is slow.
• If Indians have to negate or reject anything or they are in doubt about something, they may not be direct about it. They may say, “We will see”, “We will think about it”, “Perhaps OK, not sure” etc. Chances are that they actually intend saying “no”.
• Business dinners or lunches are normally arranged in restaurants in prestigious hotels or clubs. You can discuss the business during business entertainment but let the host initiate it.
• When relationship is developed, you may be invited to the homes too.
• Do not point blank refuse an invitation to a dinner at home or at a restaurant extended by your business counterpart. If you do not wish to attend or cannot attend it for some reason, give a believable reason.
• You need not be punctual at the business or social dinners. You can afford to arrive 15 to 20 minutes late for dinner party.
• When you are invited for dinner at home, ask the host as to where to remove your shoes. At many homes in India, the host expects you to remove your shoes at the entrance to home.
• At a social event, in case you are welcome with a flower or bouquet or garland, accept it with grace. After a few minutes, keep it at a convenient place in consultation with the host. Do take it to your residence when you leave the place.
• If invited for dinner at home, you should carry gifts for the host and the host's children if you know about them. You may give perfumes, chocolates or items of china, crystal, silver etc.
• Give gifts with both hands. Host will normally not open the gift in your presence.
• If you receive any gift from an Indian, accept it but do not open it in his presence.
• In Indian homes, the host may serve you the dishes at the dinner. Allow the host to do so.
• Indian food is best eaten with fingers. If hosts eat with fingers, you may do the same and tell the host that you are enjoying it that way. However, if silverware (fork, knife, spoon etc) is provided, you may use them instead of eating with fingers if you are not used to do so.
• Ask permission before smoking. In India, it is considered rude to smoke in the presence of elders.
• Apologize if your feet or shoes touch another person.
• Public display of affection is not considered as appropriate in India.

(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 

Cross Cultural Etiquette and Manners: Japan

Japan: Etiquette and Manners

• Japanese get impressed by the way you dress. So, dress well befitting your status.
• Men should normally wear dark conservative suit for business and formal meetings.
• Women should dress conservatively with minimum accessories. Women should avoid wearing pants in business settings.
• In Japan, you are supposed to remove your shoes many times in many situations. Therefore, prefer the slip-on type shoes that are easy and quick to remove and put on again. Women can do with flatter or low heeled shoes- they should not look taller (particularly more than men).
• For exchanging greetings you should bow. Lower you bow, you are showing more respect. Some Japanese may shake hands also to greet but the handshake may be weak, do not worry about it.
• Greet the senior most person first and then others in descending order. Normally the senior official will act more as a ceremonial representative of his company. The lower ranking officials will usually do the talking or negotiating.
• When doing business in Japan be aware of hierarchy and adapt your behaviour accordingly. Japanese put lot of emphasis on hierarchy.
• Team-work and group cohesiveness are ingrained in Japanese culture. Therefore, Japanese stress compromise and self-discipline. You should be aware of it when doing business with them.
• At a Japanese meeting, you will normally deal with a team as opposed to an individual, each member with a specialization. Also, Japanese go into lots details. Therefore, your preparation should also be in-depth.
• Professionalism and formal behavior are given importance in Japan.
• In Japanese business situations, exchanging business cards (called meishi in Japanese language) is very important. Business dealings can start only after the business exchange cards ceremony is over. Business cards should be exchanged after the greetings.
• Print your business card in Japanese on one side and in your home language on the other side. While presenting your card, present the Japanese side up.
• Present and receive the business cards with both your hands. Do study the card properly and with interest. Do not keep it in pocket or wallet; after careful study of the card, put it in your carry case for storage of cards. Do not write or scribble on the card.
• Address Japanese person with his last name suffixed with "san" which means Mr or Ms.
• Japanese people prefer to be addressed by the last names. Therefore do not insist Japanese to address you only by your first name.
• Seek assistance to clarify the pronunciation of the names.
• Japanese person finds it difficult to use the word "no". He may respond with "yes" to most of your questions but that does not necessarily mean that he is agreeing; it may really be a "no". This knowledge will help you in carrying out business negotiations with Japanese.
• Do not use exaggerated hand gestures, facial expressions and movements in your communication since Japanese do not do so normally.
• Some times you may find silence taking place while in the midst of discussions and you may even find few Japanese closing their eyes. Do not interrupt at such occasions,; perhaps they need time to reflect.
• Japanese prefer doing business with quiet, sincere and compromising people as compared to dealing with extroverts. Therefore, exhibit humility, be implicit in your communication and project yourself as non-threatening.
• Normally business entertaining is done in restaurants or bars. It is done after office hours.
• Allow host to order the meal and pay; Japanese prefer it that way.
• Tipping is generally not expected in Japan.
• During business dinners, business may be discussed.
• Drinks are commonplace in business entertaining. But do not pour a drink yourself; let someone else pour drink for you. If you do not drink, you can politely regret by saying, "No thanks".
• If you are invited at a Japanese home which is rare, consider it as an honor and appreciate it profusely to your host.
• Do use polite words like excuse me, please often. Politeness is appreciated. Praise the hospitality. Appreciate the food.
• In social gatherings, punctuality is not a strict rule.
• Business and personal gifts are appreciated in Japan. Give and accept the gift with both hands. Present the gifts at the end of a visit.
• Normal manners like not pointing at others, not blowing nose in the company of others, not encroaching the private space of others should be strictly followed.

(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 

Cross Cultural Etiquette and Manners: China

China: Etiquette and Manners

• Greet the oldest person first and then the others. Age is respected.
• Formal greeting includes handshake particularly from the people outside of China.
• Eye contact may not be necessary while greeting.
• To start with, address by the surname with prefix as Mr or Mrs etc. If first name basis address is invited, you will be told what name to use.
• Chinese want to carry out business with known party since they want to be sure about its reliability.
• Therefore, many times, they prefer to deal through a known intermediate person or party.
• Hierarchical positions are important for Chinese. You must maintain that decorum and deal with people in higher ranks quite formally.
• There is no gender bias in business meetings.
• Before meetings, you must send your organization's complete profile to the Chinese organization you wish to deal with.
• Also send your agenda for meeting.
• Appointments for business meetings should be done well in advance preferably in writing.
• Chinese like face to face meetings rather than other forms of discussions.
• Reach the meeting venue on time or slightly early; arriving late is an insult.
• Guests are generally escorted to their seats which are in descending order of hierarchy. Senior people generally sit opposite senior people from the other party.
• Exchange the business cards after the introductions. Have one side of your business card printed in Chinese preferable in golden color (auspicious color). Present the card with both the hands.
• Only senior members of the negotiating team are expected to speak.
• You should normally leave room for negotiations in your proposals.
• Meetings require patience. The meetings can be pretty lengthy with lots of conversation and pace may be slow.
• Take your own interpreter with you if necessary.
• Cell phones ring frequently and you need not get disturbed emotionally by it.
• Dress conservatively. Men should wear dark color suits and women should wear conservative suit or dress with high neckline. Women should wear flatter shoes (low heels).
• Chinese prefer to entertain in public places rather than in their homes, especially when entertaining foreigners. Being invited at homes is considered as an honor.
• Reach the dining venue on time.
• If entertained at home, remove your shoes before entering the house.
• Present a small gift to the hostess/host. Give the gift with both your hands. The hostess/host may refuse to take the gift but do persuade to accept the gift.
• Chinese like food and a nice food basket will make a decent gift.
• Do not open the gift while presenting or receiving.
• Wait to be told where to sit for dinner. The guest of honour will be given a seat facing the door.
• Eat well to appreciate the food. Try all the dishes.
• Learn using chopsticks.
• Dinners and social events are not the place for business discussions.
• Tipping the waiter in restaurants is becoming a trend with younger generation. Moderate tip is good enough.

(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