Business Etiquette in the USA

Americans are generally polite but they will stand up for what they believed. They can be surprisingly candid and they will respect people who are so. They are not shy in voicing an opinion but at the same time, they would not want to embarrass a guest or host in public knowingly. They love humor and sarcasm and can even joke about themselves.

Here are some top strategies to follow in American business etiquette:

Punctuality. Honor other people’s time. Start and end meetings on time. Arrive 5 minutes before scheduled time for all business occasions. If you know that you will be late, call to let your business partners know about this and offer them to reschedule the meeting. If you are invited for a meal, you should arrive promptly. Do not arrive earlier than the stated time, under any circumstances.

Introductions. Show your respect and courtesy to everyone, regardless of their position or standing within a company. Make sure that your grammar and voice tone are professional. When you meet someone for the first time, use a title and his or her last name until you are told otherwise. If you are not told of a person’s last name, simply use the first name or the nickname.

Dress and appearance. Make sure that your clothes fit you physically and that they fit the occasion and the setting. Business casual dress remains more formal than that you’d wear at home.

Table manners. Immediately after everyone is seated, place the napkin in your lap. At a group table wait for the host to start to eat. When sitting at a banquet table, begin eating when two people to your left and right hands are served. When done, place your napkin on the right of the plate and move your fork and knife to the “four o’clock” position across the plate to signal the server you are finished. If you invited the guest to a meal, you are responsible for the check.

Gifts. Business gifts are often presented after a deal is closed. In most situations, gifts are usually unwpapped immediately. Flowers, a potted plant, or a bottle of wine are good gift choices. If you open a small gift in person, you usually don’t need to send a follow-up note. If you are sent a gift, always let the gift giver know that you received it as soon as possible. For big gifts speak and write your thanks. For smaller gifts an e-mail, a fax, or a voice mail works fine.

Notes:

stand up (for) – защищать, отстаивать promptly – быстро, сразу, прямо

candid – справедливый, откровенный circumstances - обстоятельства

voice an opinion – выражать мнение otherwise – иначе, по-другому

embarrass – смущать, nickname – уменьшительное имя, кличка

ставить в неловкое положение

knowingly – намеренно, сознательно setting - окружение

honor – почитать, уважать lap - колени

scheduled time – условленное время deal – сделка, договор, соглашение

follow up - последующий