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1. |
We must be aware that colour
is symbolic of different meanings in different countries.
Some colours signify good fortune whereas others are associated
with bad fortune. Apply this when giving gifts. For example,
never use black for wrapping paper in Asian countries,
as it is associated with death. Red would be a symbol
of good luck. |
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2. |
Gestures used in North America
culture might be inappropriate or have different meanings
in other countries. For example, in the Muslim countries,
using your left hand for eating would be considered disgusting
as the left hand is seen as "unclean". In N.A.,
the gesture for "victory" is a "V"
formed with the index and middle finger. In Australia,
this gesture is considered vulgar if the palm is facing
towards you. In N.A., the gesture to demonstrate "yes"
is by nodding the head up and down. Shaking it back and
forth indicates "no. In Sri Lanka, nodding the head
up and down signifies "no" while shaking it
back and forth indicates "yes". |
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3. |
In N.A., we introduce a person
first by their "given name", followed by "family
name". In the Chinese culture, this is the reverse.
The family name comes first, followed by the given name.
When addressing the Chinese in business, use the appropriate
English courtesy title of Mr., Mrs., or Miss or professional
title followed by the family name. |
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4. |
When greeting people from different
countries, be sensitive to their tradition and religious
beliefs. In N.A., aside from a handshake, we might engage
is a brief hug. However, in India, public displays of
affections are strictly frowned upon. Most Indians will
greet each other with a handshake or Namaste which is
done by holding the palms of your hands together (as in
prayer) below the chin, accompanied by a slight nod. Many
Indians will not shake a woman’s hand, as this is
a sign of respect for a woman’s privacy. Some Muslims
believe that if a man is touched by a woman, he must ritually
cleanse before he can pray again. And always avoid the
left hand for greetings or saying goodbye. |
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5. |
Ever wonder how to eat spaghetti?
The perfect method for eating spaghetti or other long
stringy pasta is to twirl it around your fork. Use a spoon
to help if needed. It is also acceptable to cut pasta
with a knife and fork. For an easier alternative, switch
to penne. |
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6. |
You are celebrating your fortieth
birthday and have decided to host a party. You don’t
wish to receive gifts but wonder if it would be appropriate
to suggest donations be made to your favourite charity
instead. This would not be considered appropriate but
suggesting your invitees choose a charity of their choice
would be in good taste. |
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7. |
Ever wonder where to place your
hands at a business lunch or dinner? First of all, your
hands do not have to rest in your lap. It’s perfectly
appropriate to rest your wrists or forearms on the table.
At the completion of the meal when the table has been
cleared, you may put your elbows on the table. |
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8. |
When you are invited to a business
lunch, it’s the responsibility of the host to reach
for the bill. If he/she does not do so after a few minutes,
you can suggest that you split the bill. As a host, you
might show up early and prepay the bill. Another option
is to tell your server (when you’re seated) that
the bill should be given to you at the end of the meal. |
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9. |
Sushi is served in bite size
pieces. You can eat sushi using your fingers, chopsticks
or a fork. Never bite pieces in half as they are meant
to be eaten whole. Sushi is usually enjoyed by dipping
into soy sauce or other condiments in your own small saucer. |
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10. |
Ever wonder where to place a
used tea bag? Tea bags present challenges as to placement
rules. Wait until the tea bag steeps to your desired strength.
Remove the bag to the saucer before drinking from your
cup. If you are served tea in a pot of water, allow it
to steep. Then remove the bag to the saucer on which the
pot sits. |
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11. |
How to eat shrimp at a restaurant?
Shrimp cocktail can be dipped into the cocktail sauce
using a cocktail fork. If the shrimp are large, place
them onto the plate, cut with the fork before dipping
them into the sauce. You have the option of using either
a cocktail fork or salad fork for large shrimp. |
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12. |
When you are served soup in a
cup with on or two handles, it’s acceptable to pick
it up and drink the soup. When you’re served soup
in a bowl, however, use a soup spoon and always spoon
away from you to avoid spilling. Soup should be served
with a plate under the bowl. When you’re finished,
place the soup spoon at the side of the place, never on
the tablecloth. |
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13. |
Confused about how to eat salad?
In North America, salad is usually served before the entrée.
If you are served large pieces or a whole wedge of lettuce,
cut one bite at a time, using the knife provided. If the
salad is served before or after the main course, use the
smaller fork. If the salad is considered the main course,
use the entrée fork. |
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14. |
At a restaurant, always use the
master butter knife to place a piece of butter onto your
bread plate. Then use your butter knife to spread the
butter onto a bite size piece of roll/bread. It’s
inappropriate to butter the whole roll at one time. |
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15. |
Ever wonder how to eat a roll
in a restaurant? When the rolls are served in a basket,
take one, and always pass the basket to your right. Place
the roll on the break plate, which is located on the left
side. Never tear your roll in half or into many pieces.
The rule is that you can tear two bite size pieces at
a time. And it’s never appropriate to cut a roll
with a knife. |
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16. |
Ever thought about napkin etiquette?
At a restaurant or dinner party, wait until the host unfolds
his/her napkin before you do. Then place it on your lap
with a 1/3 folded over. When you use your napkin, unfold,
wipe your hands, then refold and place your elbows back
in your lap. In this way, it will prevent you from accidentally
placing your elbows in the dirty part of the napkin. And
remember that when you are finished eating, the napkin
is always placed on the left side of your plate. If you
have to excuse yourself during the meal, the napkin is
placed on the chair. |
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17. |
How to remove inedible food from
your mouth at a restaurant or dinner party? The rule is
that it should go out the same way it went in. For example,
olive pits can be dropped into your palm. If you find
a piece of bone in a bite of chicken, return it to your
plate by way of the fork. Fish is the exception as it’s
permissible to remove it with your fingers. Fatty undesirable
pieces of meat should be discreetly placed into your napkin
and dropped onto the corner of your plate. |
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18. |
At a restaurant, always pass
the salt with the pepper. Pick them both up and place
them on the table within reach of the person next to you.
They are never passed hand to hand. Nor should anyone
other than the original requester sprinkle their food
when they have the shakers in their possession. |
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19. |
Shish-kabob may be tricky to
eat. Hold the tip of the shish-kabob in one hand and use
the dinner fork to remove the pieces with the other. When
all the food has been removed from the stick, place it
on the side of your plate. Always eat the meat with your
utensils. |
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20. |
Should you order liquor during
business time? At a lunch or dinner, wine in moderation
is acceptable. One cocktail before a business meal if
fine. Don’t feel pressured to order liquor just because
others are ordering alcoholic beverages. Perrier with
lime always works and ordering it in a wine glass lessens
the pressure as it actually looks like a white wine spritzer.
In Europe and Asia, you will find that their attitudes
around liquor might be much more liberal. |
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21. |
Ever get confused around tipping
when you travel. The following suggestions should help.
If service is outstanding, use your own judgement.
Restaurant:
Waiter: 15% of the bill; 20% for extraordinary service
Wine steward: 15% of wine bill
Bartender: 10% – 15% of bar bill
Coat check: $1.00 per coat
Car attendant: $1.00 - $2.00
Hotel:
Maid: $5.00 per night
Room service: 15% of bill
Bell hop: $3.00 minimum (brought to your room)
$1.00 extra per bag
Lobby attendant: $1.00 for help with luggage or finding
taxi
Travel:
Skycaps: $1.00 per bag minimum
Limo driver: 20% of fare
Taxi driver: 15% of fare
Tourguide: $1.00 - $2:00 per person |
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22. |
When you are attending a very
formal dinner with five or more courses, don’t fret
about which is the correct fork or knife. Always start
with the silverware farthest from your plate and work
from the outside in. |
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23. |
There might be occasions where
you are waiting for your guest to arrive so you have a
cocktail at the bar. When your table is ready, don’t
carry your drink with you. Let the restaurant staff take
care of transporting it to the table. |
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24. |
When you arrive at a restaurant
having made a reservation, introduce yourself to the host.
Don’t point to your name on the list – let them
look for themselves. And it is appropriate to wait twenty
minutes before expressing concern to the maitre d’
for the delay. There are some popular restaurants that
consider forty minutes as standard waiting period. Research
before you make reservations. |
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25. |
At a restaurant, when you’re
finished looking over the menu, don’t put it on the
floor or your lap or under your derriere. Close it and
place it directly in front of you. This will tell your
waiter that you’re ready to order. |
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26. |
At a restaurant, it is considered
rude to signal a waiter by snapping your fingers, whistling,
clapping or making inappropriate gestures. Gracefully
raise your hand or try to make eye contact with your server. |
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27. |
White wine and champagne are
usually placed in a standing ice bucket at the side of
the table. Should you reach over and help yourself? No,
would be considered in poor taste. Seek out your waiter. |
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28. |
To kiss or not to kiss a lady’s
hand? Culture and demographics determine the appropriateness
of this form of greeting. If it is done, however, do it
right. When she extends her hand, grasp it lightly just
as you would if you were going to shake it. Then turn
it clockwise and kiss the back of her hand in the middle;
making sure your lips are dry. Hold for no more than two
seconds. |
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29. |
Freshening lipstick and powdering
your nose at the restaurant table is okay at dessert time.
Don’t start using a lip pencil. For a more thorough
application, excuse yourself and to the ladies room. Prolonged
lip repair at the table might be considered provocative
to your male guests. |
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30. |
Whenever you have a reason to
send flowers, here are some easy rules to remember: Professional
floral arrangements are always sent to offices and funerals.
Freshly cut flowers are sent to someone’s home, for
any occasion. Especially if you are invited to your client’s
dinner party, make sure that you have the cut flowers
sent in the afternoon. This will provide them with a centre
piece for the table. Never bring them with you because
your hosts will be too busy to start fussing with a vase,
etc. When someone is ill, rather than sending flowers
or plants to someone at the hospital, wait a couple of
days after their return home. Include a warm "welcome-home"
note. The person will be more likely to appreciate the
flowers at this time. |
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31. |
Avoid the panic attack if you’re
not a wine connoisseur. When you’re hosting a business
lunch/dinner meeting and you’re unfamiliar with wines,
here are easy suggestions to save "face". *
Call in advance to discuss suitable wines with the restaurant
wine experts. * Ask the waiter for his/her assistance
in choosing an appropriate wine to compliment the food
selection. ** Or ask your guests if they have a preference.
Don’t be afraid to say that this is not your area
of expertise. |
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32. |
Ever have someone introduce you
by the wrong name? If someone accidentally introduces
you incorrectly, you have several options. It is however
important to take action immediately. * Try whispering
your correct name in their ear. * As soon as the person
finishes the introduction, be pleasant and use humor if
possible. Say…"It’s Todd, sir. But I’ve
always like the name of Ted – was wondering if I
should change it". Or "For some reason, everyone
always seems to prefer calling me Ted instead of Todd.
Or " People sometimes call me Ted but my correct
name is Todd." If your name is especially difficult
to understand, say it much slower and pause between your
given name and surname. |
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33. |
When sharing a taxi with a client,
they should go in first and move across the seat. If your
client is wearing bulky clothing or a short skirt that
may make it difficult to slide across, tell him/her that
you’re going around to the other side. |
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34. |
Ever wonder when to talk business
with a client at a restaurant? First of all, the primary
business talk should wait until the entrée plates
have been removed. Should you have a lot of business to
cover, however, when you first arrive, spend about ten
minutes making small talk. Switch over to business until
the main course arrives. Reconvene the business talk when
coffee is served. Remember that lunches and dinners are
great opportunities to build rapport and solidify your
relationship. |
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35. |
When meeting clients at your
office, as an expression of courtesy and respect, always
rise and shake hands. Hold the handshake for the length
of time it takes to learn the colour of the other person’s
eyes. |
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36. |
Be a master conversationalist.
When meeting clients at a social setting, come prepared
with interesting topics to discuss other than business.
Avoid race, religion, controversial topics like abortion,
gender, age, weight, marital status, gossip and using
swear words. Choose from topics like travel, entertainment,
sports, personal interests, current events or a human
interest story. |
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37. |
When shaking hands, there is
no gender distinction when using your handshake. However,
there will be specific situations where your client’s
religious or ethnic background should be considered. To
be safe, when meeting foreign guests, check a cultural
guide to see if it is appropriate to offer the hand to
the opposite sex. In N.A., men no longer have to wait
for a woman to put her hand out first to shake it. |
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38. |
When you are out for dinner with
clients and your fork falls on the floor, use your foot
to gently move the utensil under the table. If you put
it back on the table, someone may mistakenly use it. Ask
your server for a replacement. |
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39. |
When a toast is given in your
honour, the rule is that you do not drink to your own
toast. You may, however, in turn reciprocate with your
own toast. And the best time to toast is when glasses
have been refilled at the end of a meal or at the beginning
when champagne has been served. |
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40. |
If you must leave your cell-phone
on at the dining table, observe the rules of courtesy.
Tell your guests/host when you sit down that you are expecting
an urgent call. As soon as your phone rings, quietly leave
the table and find a secluded spot to talk. |
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41. |
Why bother taking the time to
write a personal handwritten note rather than fax or email?
Writing a hand written note sets you apart from others.
You are demonstrating that this person is important to
you. Think about a thank you note requiring only three
sentences. The first one should express thanks for a specific
reason or occasion. The second sentence should acknowledge
the reason for the note and the third sentence should
contain something personal. Be original and avoid beginning
your note with "I" or "Thank you’.
It can be longer but remember that it’s not a substitute
for a letter. |
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42. |
When you’ve forgotten someone’s
name, don’t ever say, "I’m sorry. I can’t
remember your name." It looks like they weren’t
important in the first place. Instead, say "My mind
has just gone blank. What is your name again?" or
"Your name is on the tip of my tongue". Here
are other choices. Don’t you often remember the topic
you talked about, even though you can’t recall the
name? So say, "Great to see you again. How was your
trip to New Mexico?" Or give your name. Say, "Hi!
I’m Roz Usheroff. We met at Susan’s home last
Christmas." Or say with enthusiasm and warmth, "Hi,
I remember you. Tell me your name again." Remember
however that we’re all human and forget. |
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43. |
Should someone generously offer
the use of his/her vacation home, make sure that you leave
the house in exactly the same condition that you found
it. Kitchen and bathrooms must be spotlessly clean. You
should vacuum the home. Always demonstrate your thanks
by sending a gift. A case of assorted wines is a nice
gift or something that would be useful in the home. You
have the option of leaving the gift at the vacation home
or sending the gift directly to the person. |
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44. |
If you ever run out of business
cards, never ask the individual for an extra card. It
is inappropriate to use the back of someone else's card
to write your name and phone number. Offer to mail your
business card immediately. |
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45. |
Can you talk business during
a golf game? You're anxious to discuss the details of
an important business deal with your clients. You can
discuss business provided that all the participants in
the game have a professional interest or stake in what's
discussed. However, keep it social for as long as you
can. People need a break from work. |
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46. |
When someone in your company
has suffered a tragedy in his/her life, it is always kind
and appropriate to offer condolences. Say "I'm sorry
to hear about your father's death. I hope that these tough
days will pass quickly for you. If there is anything I
can do, just let me know". |
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47. |
Should you be in conversation
with a group of people and your nose suddenly begins to
drip, head for the restroom. Never ask someone for a handkerchief
or paper tissue. These are items for personal use. |
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48. |
If you are introduced to a person
who is missing his right arm, it is appropriate to lightly
touch his upper left arm with your right hand as you say
"I'm very pleased to meet you." |
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49. |
Always dress appropriately. Should
you have to attend a business reception and then continue
on to a black tie at another location, and have no time
to go home to change, you can go to the cocktail party
dressed up. Just explain that you must go somewhere else
afterwards. |
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50. |
Where you have both red and white
wine glasses at your setting, it does not mean that you
have to drink both flavours to please your host. |
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51. |
If you are at a restaurant and
the owner of the restaurant serves you himself, you should
still tip him. He will divide the tip among those who
work in the kitchen and dining room. |
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52. |
It is inappropriate at a business
lunch sponsored by clients where the menu has been predetermined
to ask for a different choice. You must accept what is
on the menu and not ask for substitutes unless you have
a special dietary need. |
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