•You will hear five different business people talking about cultural differences in doing business in different countries. •For

M: As Americana, we tend to be much more casual and informal when we meet people. Our natural inclination to be familiar can put some people on edge. Germans and Japanese, for example, are very unlikely to use first names in business. Asians prefer to use less eye and physical contact.  A  universal  handshake  that  most cultures are comfortable with is a single pump handshake that lasts a few seconds. Latins are prone to  touching and to smaller personal space, while Asians and Germans enjoy more distance. The Latin hug is common between men and  men  and  women  and  women.  At home, the Japanese are more comfortable with a bow from the waist. Be sure not to refer to Japanese as ’foreigners’ or ’Orientals, ’ but instead as international visitors and Asians.
F: With Asian and German associates, punctuality is a must] It is safe to begin a meeting with a more formal tone that can always be relaxed by following their lead. Business cards are treated with  more  respect  by  people  from  other countries, and there is a strong emphasis on titles and positions. It is helpful to have your cards printed in their language on the back if you are regularly dealing with a particular country.  Germans  will  include  university degrees and often the company’s founding date on their cards, so you may want to add similar information to yours.
M:  Germans,  Japanese and Latins value more formality in manners than Americans. Don’t stand with hands on hips or talk with hands in pockets.   Be  tolerant  about  smoking,  as Japanese and Europeans smoke more than Americans. Avoid speaking in a loud voice. ’ Respect privacy and a sense of order with Germans.  Latins enjoy  discussing  family, whereas Germans and Japanese generally do not.
F: At business meals,  more time is spent on building  relationships  rather  than  rushing straight to work. It is appropriate to eat with the silverware constantly in beth hands. Most of the world eats continental style with the fork in the left hand and the knife in the fight, eating off the back of the fork. We, on the other hand, are uncomfortable when people keep both of their wrists above the table for the whole meal. We place the hand we are not eating or drinking with in our laps. Europeans often find it strange and may wonder what we are doing !
M: Be aware that gifts are important, but that some may bo taboo in certain cultures.  For example, with Japanese, white is the color of death and four of anything is unlucky. With the Latins, gifts of knives suggest ’cutting’ of the relationship. With Germans, red roses signal romantic interests,  and  carnations  signify death. With Mexicans and Brazilians, purple is the color of death, so it’s best to avoid purple flowers and gifts. With the Japanese, gifts are normally given and received with a slight bow and  are  not  opened  in  front  of  your counterpart.