Business Etiquette for Men
Professional practices have changed significantly in the past few decades, due to advances in technology and an increased number of women in the workplace. These are just some of the reasons businessmen should be aware of some rules of etiquette that can make meetings and professional appointments successful.
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Attire
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Even if an office is business casual, it's always best for a man to dress somewhat formally for an initial business meeting. A suit in a dark color such as black, dark gray, or navy blue, is recommended. A long-sleeved shirt should always be worn underneath the suit jacket, and a man's tie should reach the top of his belt buckle, in case he has to remove his jacket at any time during the meeting. Socks should also be long enough to reach the calf, so that no part of the leg is shown when the man is sitting.
Accessories and Watches
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The watch that a man chooses to wear in a professional setting should have a leather or metal band--cloth bands do not give a professional appearance. Black leather bands for watches are standard, but brown bands are acceptable, especially if the man is wearing other accents of brown leather, i.e. belt and shoes. Rings, such as a wedding band or class ring, can be worn, but any additional jewelry is probably inappropriate for a business meeting. So, any ear or nose piercings should be removed before stepping into the office.
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Interacting with Women
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Men should also be conscious of the best ways to communicate with their professional female counterparts. In the Western World, men and women automatically shake hands with one another upon meeting. However, in parts of Europe and Latin America, it is customary to wait for the woman to extend her hand first--men should be aware of this before arriving to a business appointment. In business dining scenarios, it is good manners for the man to wait for the women in the group to be seated before sitting at the table--pulling out a woman's chair is not required, but is especially chivalrous. When addressing a female professional, it is best to use "Mrs.", followed by last name, for women who are married; if a man is unsure if a woman is married, or knows that she is not, "Ms." is acceptable. The term "Miss" should be used to refer to young women who are 17 years of age or younger.
Shaving
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Generally, excessive facial hair is not acceptable in the corporate world. In order to prepare for a business meeting, or even just another day at the office, men are acceptable to be stubble-free. Any hair that is left on the face, such as a mustache or goatee, should be trimmed neatly. Long hair is often not a part of corporate culture either; men should keep their hair cut and presentable at all times; men with hairstyles like braids or locks should keep the hair contained and away from the face.
Giving Gifts
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In most cases, it is not a requirement for professionals to give gifts at initial meetings; however, businessmen may want to present small tokens with their company's logo to colleagues after a meeting goes well. If invited to another professional's home, gifts like a fine bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers are acceptable. However, when presenting flowers to a women, professional men should be aware of certain flower colors and their meanings. For instance, red roses are a symbol of romantic interest, while yellow roses are a symbol of friendship. Flowers like daisies or lilies are also appropriate to give to a female colleague for occasions such as her promotion or birthday.
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References
- Photo Credit businessman image by Jarek Miarka from Fotolia.com
