BUSINESS
ETIQUETTE IN EUROPE
Europe ranges from the cold
northern countries of Norway and Sweden to the warm Mediterranean countries of
Italy and Greece. Some customs and mores such as the way to shake hands, to
mention names and titles, to open a conversation, to express gestures and the
like vary as much as the topography, while others are shared across all of
Europe.However, as the standard business greeting gestures throughout Europe, handshake
is usually exchanged before and after every meeting, no matter how many meetings
you have already had. An exception is in Great Britain, where, as in the United
States, an initial handshake is often the only one you will receive. European
Handshakes are more formal and less casual than those in the United States. A
quick grasp and release is the norm. In most European countries, handshakes are
firm. An exception is France, where a lighter grasp is customary.
Finally, it is customary to let women
and those in a higher rank to extend their hands first in Europe. In addition,
it is unusual for people in Europe to use first names immediately. Wait until
he asks you to call him by his first name or uses a familiar form of address
with you. Titles, especially academic titles, are always used in Europe. In the
United States, it is unusual for a Professor to be called Doctor or Professor outside the classroom, but in European countries,
professors, along with lawyers, medical doctors, and others are introduced with
their title(s).In many European countries, asking people what they do or asking
them a personal question as an opening in a conversation is a serious mistake.
Europeans are, for the most part, more formal and reserved about such matters
than Americans are. It is important to watch out for these gesture-related
mistakes.
The American gesture for
"OK" using a circle formed by forefinger and thumb is offensive in
Germany. Showing your palm to someone is offensive in Greece. Keeping your
hands in your pockets is rude. Back-slapping is out of place in northern Europe, and at
last, having your hands below the table while dining in France, Germany, and Austria is rude. At last, we can
see that each place has its own customs and mores. Then, we realize that it is
very important to know customs and mores of other countries in order to avoid
misunderstanding in culture and to build a good overseas business relationship
since a good understanding in ones’ cultures might smoothen the business flow
and objective.
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