Thank you for your insights on business card practices.

With regards to drinking in Europe,…

I don’t drink: I got a form of hepatitus when I was 18 and it took about 15 years to not be negatively effected by the smell of alcohol. I have never had a problem not drinking in Europe. Although it is often much easier to take a glass, and not drink it, than to ask for something non-alcoholic.

Here are a few cultural differences I have noticed:
- In the UK you often have to go to the pub with your colleagues at lunch time or after work, otherwise you will never be accepted in the group. And you must be accepted in the group to get anywhere professionally. In the UK people will notice whether you drink or not, and how much you drink.
- In France, many business deals are sealed over a meal… there will always be wine at the meal and many French men can drink as much as a bottle by themselves… at lunch. But it is more a question of showing good taste or “culture” than the quantity you drink.

Outside of business, it appears “acceptable”, dare I say “expected” for young Americans to get into wild drinking in Las Vagas excursions for example. This reminds me of how common it is to see drunk people vomitting on the streets once the UK pubs close. If this were to happen in other cultures, it would not be as “acceptable”, or people would wonder what the problem was or what event had triggered this.

That’s all for now. Would love to hear what others have to say.

Apryl’s networking tip for dealing with Chinese business people also applies to dealing with Japanese business people. Business cards are of high importance in Japanese personal business exchanges.

Business Cards: When receiving a Japanese person’s business card take it in both hands with a bow, say “Arigatou gozaimasu” (or just Thank you very much) and study the person’s name and position in their company. Be sure never to put it away into a back pocket (although I supposed that’s common sense). Put it away carefully in a front shirt pocket, business card holder, or wallet, or carefully place it in front of you on the meeting table.

Drinking & Business: I am curious if drinking and dining (heavy drinking) with clients after hours to network and seal the deal on contracts is as common in China as Japan. (I’m sure you are familiar with the drunken salaryman stereotype) How about European countries?

Thanks for this tip! So business cards are not likely to go out of fashion are they? Here in Europe I have seen many people with fun tiny “moo” cards. It seems like business cards are not exchanged as often as they used to be.

Thanks for your insights. Cross-cultural communication is indeed difficult. And yet, international business professionals do learn to go a certain distance along the path that separates two cultures. It is not always easy, and it takes personal commitment, but people can improve their cross-cultural skills.

How have you built trust in cross-cultural communication with international clients? Please share your tips for next month’s cross-cultural communication challenge to cultivate trust. Read the tips for the 2 previous monthly cross-cultural communicati…