Entertainment

When you are entertained, the golden rule is you must always reciprocate. You may not be able to do so immediately, but on your return, don't forget to do it. In countries such as Australia, the USA and Canada, guests are often entertained within the private home of an executive. However, in places such as Japan, Vietnam and France, either potential embarrassment about the size and quality of a person's home or a strong concern for personal privacy generally dictates entertainment is held within a restaurant. Note: an invitation to a person's home is generally a very good indication that the business relationship is going well.

When you are entertaining, care must be taken in how and what you intend to serve. Many Asians are lactose intolerant, so milk products can be a problem. Other factors to consider include vegetarians, local religious dietary restrictions (Kosher, Halal, alcohol, etc). The locals may also not have a liking for some types of food from your country, eg. Malaysians generally do not like cheese; Chinese are not keen on lamb, etc.

How to hold the entertainment is another factor that can influence your guests. Buffet type meals are not common in some countries and sit down, multiple course meals are strongly preferred, eg. China. In other countries, a buffet style will be most appropriate, as your guests may arrive throughout the night and then only stay a short while before they trip off to some other place.

Who you should invite can vary to everyone involved (so no-one "loses face") to only the senior executives. In many countries, you need to invite everyone and then you have the concern about seating people in appropriate order of seniority.

One hint for all such occasions is to alternate guests with your staff to help build upon the business relationship. If you do go out, should you pay? Generally, the invitee pays but the local custom may require you to haggle over paying but finally and politely letting the other person pay. Women may find a problem paying in countries where there is a strong machismo ethic amongst the males of society, i.e. allowing a woman to pay, even a senior executive, is not the honourable thing. In such countries, eg. Mexico, hold the meal in the hotel and have the bill added to your total hotel bill.