By Nikki Phipps
When to traveling to foreign lands, especially on business, it is always advisable to obtain some cultural awareness beforehand. Therefore, it’s never a bad idea to perform a little research about the country, gathering general information as well as the customs of its people. Other good things to know for the trip are the climate (helpful when packing), history, education, political representation, business ethics, and languages.
When it comes to the country’s language, many international hotels provide translators and interpreters that will be more than happy to accommodate you. Some important considerations to keep in mind, however, include the avoidance of slang and the use of a normal tone when speaking to others. You should always study a country’s proper greeting to prevent the possibility of offending anyone. For instance, it is customary in many countries to shake hands when greeting, in some places, however, like Japan, it is preferable to bow. Also most countries prefer using eye contact as a means of respect, but there are others that find this practice offensive.
While you are traveling abroad, you should be aware that certain topics are off limits and considered taboo in many countries. These include the discussion of politics, money, and religion. Also considered rude in some places is the discussion of business during social events. It is, however, quite acceptable to express an interest in a country’s traditions and culture. It also helps to learn about the cuisines of various countries as well as their tipping practices. You might be surprised to learn that many foreign countries actually enjoy their evening meals much later than here in the U.S. as well. Other countries, however, actually prefer to eat around midday instead.
As the giving of gifts is often customary in some countries, you should become familiar with appropriate gifts of a given country before attempting to present them. You wouldn’t want to offend the wrong people, especially when so far from home. You should also keep in mind that colors can have a positive or negative affect in a particular region or culture. For instance, did you know that in some countries the color the tradition color of mourning is white, whereas in most other places it is represented by black? Red is considered good luck in China, blue in Egypt, and green in many others.
As time differences and business hours vary from country to country, it is best to make yourself aware of these differences. While some businesses might implement similar hours as the U.S., others prefer to open on weekends. Because of time differences, it is usually best not to schedule any meetings close to your arrival time. Many people require a period of adjustment after traveling through different time zones.
There are numerous guides available that provide general information, etiquette, and customs on a variety of foreign countries. A quick look on the Web will also turn up numerous resources as well. So before you travel internationally, become familiar with the country beforehand. It will prove to be a vital resource and greatly appreciated by the locals too.