International Business Etiquette From Around the World
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International Business Etiquette From Around the World

If you do business with companies in other countries, you must understand how international business etiquette varies globally.

Danielle Fallon-O'Leary
Business.com, 2025
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Appreciating the nuanced cultural richness of a place takes many years. But in the fast-paced business world, you might not have the luxury of time to immerse yourself in a foreign country’s culture before being tasked with forging alliances, sourcing raw materials, finding suppliers, and so on. Danielle Fallon-O’Leary’s rudimentary guide to international business etiquette, while full of sweeping generalizations, will help you avoid major faux pas and make a sufficient first impression to secure a second meeting.

Summary

Etiquette norms vary from country to country.

As any successful entrepreneur will avow, the secret to building a robust business is to establish good relations with suppliers, partners, retailers, and so on. This is especially true when doing business overseas.

If you’re unfamiliar with a culture in which you’re operating, the potential for cultural missteps is enormous. Do your homework before you board the plane, because what is considered the height of good manners in one country might be considered downright rudeness in another. Avoid embarrassment by following these tips when conducting business overseas.

In Chinese and Japanese business culture, hierarchy matters.

In China, tardiness is a mark of disrespect, so arrive on time and prepared for your meetings. Dress conservatively, and avoid physical touch during business negotiations. Enter a room in hierarchical order, with the highest-ranking team member leading the way. Avoid saying “no” directly. Instead, say, “That’s something I will have to think about.”

Japanese business negotiations are calm, subdued affairs, and extroverted Westerners who gesticulate too much might raise eyebrows. In...

About the Author

Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a senior writer and expert on business operations at Business.com.

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