Japan: The Land of the Rising Sun
The number you should never use when giving a gift, as it sounds like the Japanese word for death.
What is the number four?
While a handshake is common, you should wait for a person to invite you to sit before you do so. This shows a sign of...
What is a sign of respect for a host?
It is considered an insult to show this part of your body to someone when sitting.
What are the soles of your feet?
A standard British business practice that is considered “highly valued” and “unprofessional” not to follow.
What is punctuality?
The titles you should always use to address people in a business context until you are invited to use their first name.
What are “Monsieur” and “Madame”?
The correct way to receive a business card in Japan.
What is receiving it with both hands?
This hand is considered unclean, and you should not use it to give or receive things.
What is the left hand?
The type of conversation you should expect before getting down to business, as building personal relationships and trust is highly valued.
What is small talk?
Punctuality is highly valued in the UK; arriving on time for meetings shows respect for others' time. This shows you have....
What is a sign of professionalism?
A gesture that means “zero” or “worthless” in France, but may mean “okay" in other cultures.
What is the “okay” sign?
A greeting that involves a slight bend at the waist, often used to show respect, especially to a senior person.
What is a bow?
In Singapore, it is considered rude to leave food on your plate.
What is a signal of wastefulness?
When a host offers you gahwa (Arabic coffee), you should shake the cup side to side to signal that you have had enough.
What is the non-verbal cue to stop receiving coffee?
When a host offers to get you a drink, you should not refuse it, as it may be seen as an insult. This would be called.....
What is polite acceptance?
The strength of handshake you should use in France, which is different from an American handshake.
What is a light handshake?
This is a common phrase of respect added to a person’s last name in Japanese.
What is “san”?
While not required, this is a respectful way to show cultural awareness on your business card.
What is having a bilingual business card?
It is considered rude to ask about a man's wife or female relatives in the UAE. This topic is considered...
What is a taboo conversation topic?
In the UK, it is considered rude to ask someone about this topic.
What is their salary or the cost of an item?
It is impolite to refer to a person by their first name unless they invite you to do so. You should use Monsieur for men and Madame for women.
What is formal address etiquette?
When riding a train in Japan, people commonly don’t do this?
What is talk on the train?
Although not considered rude, this is not expected in Singapore, and many restaurants and hotels include a service charge in the bill.
What is tipping?
This meat product should never be part of a dish being served.
What is pork?
The correct way to address a knight is to use Sir followed by their first name, while a woman who has been made a Dame should be addressed as Dame followed by her first name.
What is the proper way to address nobility?
These are considered sensitive and private, and you should avoid discussing them in business settings.
What are personal finances, politics, or religion?