China's Business Meeting Etiquette
China is home to many valuable natural resources such as coal, and regularly exports tin and salt. This means the country often does business with international professionals--and businesspeople from other countries should be aware of acceptable etiquette to secure business deals and long-lasting professional relationships in China.
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Business Meeting Attire
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Men who are dressing for business meetings in China should wear a dark-colored suit; ties and pocket squares in conservative colors such as black, white or gray are encouraged. Professional women should not wear high heels to business meetings, so as not to tower over the men. No matter the season, women should not wear short skirts or short-sleeved shirts to meetings--this is seen as offensive by Chinese men.
Body Language
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While many U.S. professionals are animated during business meetings, this is not acceptable in China. It is not proper etiquette to use hands while talking; this is considered distracting to Chinese professionals. Acceptable etiquette suggests that it is proper to shake hands before beginning the meeting, but a light handshake is recommended. When directing a person's attention to something, it is best to use the entire hand instead of the index finger. Chinese businesspeople do not welcome personal contact, so touching another professional's arm or shoulder during a business meeting will give a bad impression.
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Business Cards
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Giving and receiving business cards in China should be done with both hands as a sign of respect. All business cards should be kept in a small case; cards should be placed in the case immediately after reading them. Under no circumstances should business cards be folded or written on, as this will denote to Chinese professionals that their title or business role is not taken seriously.
Gifts
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It is generally not acceptable to give gifts to Chinese professionals; this is considered a bribe, especially since many international professionals present gifts as a way to hurry the Chinese along in completing the negotiation process. It is not unusual for the Chinese to wait for a sign of good luck before making the final decision on a business deal. It may be an acceptable gesture to give a gift to a Chinese businessperson after the relationship has been established.
After the Meeting
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If a Chinese host invites professional counterparts to an after-hours dinner or out for drinks, it is proper etiquette to accept the invitation promptly. Acceptable etiquette also suggests that women should not drink alcoholic beverages at these dinners, as this can make women seem unprofessional to Chinese businesspeople. It is not proper to discuss business at meals, since the Chinese use this time to unwind from the day; however, the invitation to dinner is often a good sign that negotiations are going favorably.
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References
- Photo Credit china image by Luisafer from Fotolia.com
