Here is some must-know information from a handbook on how people behave in doing business in some countries.
Here
is
some
must-know
information
from
a
handbook
on
how
people
behave
in
doing
business
in
some
countries
.
In Brazil
In
Brazil
Brazilians are warm and friendly.
Brazilians
are
warm
and
friendly
.
They often stand close when talking and it is common for them to touch the person on the shoulder.
They
often
stand
close
when
talking
and
it
is
common
for
them
to
touch
the
person
on
the
shoulder
.
People often greet each other (particularly women) with light cheek kisses.
People
often
greet
each
other
(
particularly
women
)
with
light
cheek
kisses
.
Schedules tend to be flexible, with business meetings sometimes starting later than planned.
Schedules
tend
to
be
flexible
,
with
business
meetings
sometimes
starting
later
than
planned
.
But to be safe, be on time.
But
to
be
safe
,
be
on
time
.
Meals can stretch for hours--there's no such thing as rushing a meal in Brazil.
Meals
can
stretch
for
hours
--
there
's
no
such
thing
as
rushing
a
meal
in
Brazil
.
Lunches also can start in the mid to late afternoon.
Lunches
also
can
start
in
the
mid
to
late
afternoon
.
Brazilians are social, preferring face-to-face communication over emails or phone calls.
Brazilians
are
social
,
preferring
face-to-face
communication
over
emails
or
phone
calls
.
In Singapore
In
Singapore
Singaporeans shake hands when they meet and often also greet each other with a small, polite bow.
Singaporeans
shake
hands
when
they
meet
and
often
also
greet
each
other
with
a
small
,
polite
bow
.
Business cards should be offered and received with two hands.
Business
cards
should
be
offered
and
received
with
two
hands
.
Arriving late is considered disrespectful.
Arriving
late
is
considered
disrespectful
.
So be on time.
So
be
on
time
.
Efficiency is the goal, so meetings and dealings often are fast-paced.
Efficiency
is
the
goal
,
so
meetings
and
dealings
often
are
fast-paced
.
Singaporeans are direct in their discussions, even when the subject is about money.
Singaporeans
are
direct
in
their
discussions
,
even
when
the
subject
is
about
money
.
Rank is important and authority is respected.
Rank
is
important
and
authority
is
respected
.
This determines how people interact in meetings.
This
determines
how
people
interact
in
meetings
.
For example, people avoid disagreeing outright with someone of a higher rank.
For
example
,
people
avoid
disagreeing
outright
with
someone
of
a
higher
rank
.
In the United Arab Emirates
In
the
United
Arab
Emirates
In the UAE, status is important, so the most senior or oldest should be greeted first with their titles.
In
the
UAE
,
status
is
important
,
so
the
most
senior
or
oldest
should
be
greeted
first
with
their
titles
.
The handshake seems to be longer than elsewhere.
The
handshake
seems
to
be
longer
than
elsewhere
.
So do not pull away from the handshake.
So
do
not
pull
away
from
the
handshake
.
Women should cover themselves when it comes to dress.
Women
should
cover
themselves
when
it
comes
to
dress
.
Men also tend to be covered from neck to elbows and down to the knees.
Men
also
tend
to
be
covered
from
neck
to
elbows
and
down
to
the
knees
.
People do not avoid entertaining in their homes, but they also hold business meals at restaurants.
People
do
not
avoid
entertaining
in
their
homes
,
but
they
also
hold
business
meals
at
restaurants
.
Touching or passing food or eating with your left hand is to be avoided.
Touching
or
passing
food
or
eating
with
your
left
hand
is
to
be
avoided
.
When meetings are one-to-one, if your host offers you coffee, you should refuse.
When
meetings
are
one-to-one
,
if
your
host
offers
you
coffee
,
you
should
refuse
.
It might seem odd, but it is a cultural tradition.
It
might
seem
odd
,
but
it
is
a
cultural
tradition
.
Coffee should only be accepted if it is already set out or presented.
Coffee
should
only
be
accepted
if
it
is
already
set
out
or
presented
.
In Switzerland
In
Switzerland
The Swiss tend to be formal and address each other by last name.
The
Swiss
tend
to
be
formal
and
address
each
other
by
last
name
.
They also are respectful of private lives.
They
also
are
respectful
of
private
lives
.
You should be careful not to ask about personal topics.
You
should
be
careful
not
to
ask
about
personal
topics
.
Punctuality is vital, something that comes from a deep respect for others' time.
Punctuality
is
vital
,
something
that
comes
from
a
deep
respect
for
others
'
time
.
Arrive at any meeting or event a few minutes early to be safe.
Arrive
at
any
meeting
or
event
a
few
minutes
early
to
be
safe
.
They also have clear structure in their companies.
They
also
have
clear
structure
in
their
companies
.
Higher-ups make the final decisions, even if others might disagree.
Higher-ups
make
the
final
decisions
,
even
if
others
might
disagree
.
Neat, clean dress is expected.
Neat
,
clean
dress
is
expected
.
The Swiss follow formal table manners.
The
Swiss
follow
formal
table
manners
.
They also keep their hands visible at the table and their elbows off the table.
They
also
keep
their
hands
visible
at
the
table
and
their
elbows
off
the
table
.
It is polite to finish the food on your plate.
It
is
polite
to
finish
the
food
on
your
plate
.
Here is some must-know information from a handbook on how people behave in doing business in some countries.  In Brazil  Brazilians are warm and friendly. They often stand close when talking and it is common for them to touch the person on the shoulder. People often greet each other (particularly women) with light cheek kisses. Schedules tend to be flexible, with business meetings sometimes starting later than planned. But to be safe, be on time. Meals can stretch for hours--there's no such thing as rushing a meal in Brazil. Lunches also can start in the mid to late afternoon. Brazilians are social, preferring face-to-face communication over emails or phone calls.  In Singapore  Singaporeans shake hands when they meet and often also greet each other with a small, polite bow. Business cards should be offered and received with two hands. Arriving late is considered disrespectful. So be on time. Efficiency is the goal, so meetings and dealings often are fast-paced. Singaporeans are direct in their discussions, even when the subject is about money. Rank is important and authority is respected. This determines how people interact in meetings. For example, people avoid disagreeing outright with someone of a higher rank.  In the United Arab Emirates  In the UAE, status is important, so the most senior or oldest should be greeted first with their titles. The handshake seems to be longer than elsewhere. So do not pull away from the handshake. Women should cover themselves when it comes to dress. Men also tend to be covered from neck to elbows and down to the knees. People do not avoid entertaining in their homes, but they also hold business meals at restaurants. Touching or passing food or eating with your left hand is to be avoided. When meetings are one-to-one, if your host offers you coffee, you should refuse. It might seem odd, but it is a cultural tradition. Coffee should only be accepted if it is already set out or presented.  In Switzerland  The Swiss tend to be formal and address each other by last name. They also are respectful of private lives. You should be careful not to ask about personal topics. Punctuality is vital, something that comes from a deep respect for others' time. Arrive at any meeting or event a few minutes early to be safe. They also have clear structure in their companies. Higher-ups make the final decisions, even if others might disagree. Neat, clean dress is expected. The Swiss follow formal table manners. They also keep their hands visible at the table and their elbows off the table. It is polite to finish the food on your plate.