I got the following story from David Willoughby, a freelance writer now living in Tokyo:

Whilst in Japan, I happened to find myself seated next to another foreigner who recognised me from the gallery event we had both just attended. We chatted amicably for a while … A little while later, he stood up to leave. “If you like art,” he said to me, almost as an afterthought, “you might be interested in this.” And he nonchalantly tossed onto my table his business card on which he had biro’d the details of some upcoming event he was attending.

It wasn’t just the contrived nature of his networking spiel that made the exchange so unforgettable, it was in the small details. It was in the way in which he dealt his card onto the table rather than to me directly, minimising the chance that it might be rejected. It was in the fact that he waited until the final seconds of our encounter to produce it so that neither of us would have to endure the awkwardness of the moment. Before I had a chance to digest what was written on the card he had vanished.

The exchange would have been amusing for any watching Japanese who are, of course, far more comfortable with the use of business cards, or ‘meishi’. In the West, business cards are strictly for networking and careful consideration must be made about if and when to proffer the card – not so in Japan.

www.tokyoartbeat.com

Find more information about cross cultural differences in the exchange of business cards by clicking on the following links:

Top Ten Tips on passing business cards with cultural fluency

Japan: everything you need to know about business card ‘meishi’ etiquette

U.S.,  Britain, Australia: Business Card Etiquette

The art of business card giving: an East West perspective

Watch a Video on Chinese Business Etiquette

In the global commercial world you can’t survive without a business card. A business card is the thing that consolidates ‘who you are’, gives you a ‘proper’ identity and tells the world that you are ‘open for business’. However, people around the world project different meanings on the exchange of cards doing it, therefore, in different ways.

In some cultures, the exchange symbolises the beginning of a relationship. The most ritualistic and sensitive to the practice of business card exchange are the Asian countries (Japan and Korea in particular). Perhaps the least are the British/US/Australians where NO significance whatsoever is attached to the exchange – it’s merely a function of giving someone your details – a reminder.

If you want to ensure that you don’t offend, read the Top Ten Tips below and the special section on Japan and the other on US/Britain. Instructive and comical videos included:

For those in Asian countries, the exchanging of
business cards is symbolic; it symbolises the beginning of a relationship. In Japan, meishi koukan is so important they even have an etiquette for it. If travelling to that part of the world, ensure that you have a vast amount of cards with you (read below to understand why) as people formally present cards at the beginning of every first meeting. This is exceedingly important if you are on an extended business trip.

Read the tips below to understand what is involved with business card etiquette and then watch the selection of videos that I’ve come across online that teach the novice how to exchange a card. If the card exchange goes badly, well… not much hope for any successful business relationship in the future!

If we’re lucky our cross cultural marketing blunders will only cause great hilarity. When we’re not, they can cause offence and cost us money. Here are a few of the blunders that some ‘big boys’ made.  With all their marketing budgets they can still get things wrong. Cross cultural communication runs deep so it is important to research carefully the Cultural Codes for specific products or brands and do some well-undertaken market research.

Below you will find a selection of marketing blunders:

Have you been influenced by more than one country and culture?  Do you have a cross-cultural background? Then have fun making your own multicultural flag:

http://www.wearemulticolored.com/

When in Rome, do as the Romans do!  “

That’s the way we say it in English. Originally from Chinese, this Japanese saying means: “In a village do as the village does.”  That’s my best advice for a successful foreign trip. Here are other tips on intercultural communication, cross-cultural differences and how to get the best out of your foreign visit.

1. Remember -there is no right, no wrong – just different. Sometimes different can mean better!
2. Try and learn a few words and phrases of the language, before you go.  Knowing common greetings is always a sign of courtesy.
3. Be observant. Watch how others behave and adapt your style accordingly.
4. Not all countries use ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ the way we do in the English language. Saying thank you to a close friend can be a bit insulting in some cultures – indicating that you are not close at all. Not sure? Then ask.
5. Learn something about the culture of the country you are visiting.  That will help you to ‘acclimatise’ more easily.
6. Research the dress code of the county, especially when visiting the Middle East. Women should be modestly dressed in most cultures other than the ‘West’. Asians are more formal than Americans, but Japan is more formal than other Asian countries. Saudi Arabia is extremely strict on women’s clothing – you must wear a long black robe and have your face and head covered by av eil.
7. Do be sensible if you are travelling between very different climates. The round trip from London to Dubai, via a few days in Helsinki, can play havoc with your health.
8. Learn how you should address people before you go. Africans are very conscious of people’s status. You might want to treat everyone as an equal, but they might expect some respect from you (especially government officials).  Also, others may be humbled in your presence.
9. Gift giving is notoriously difficult to judge; best phone the embassy at home to be sure or consult your own diplomats when abroad.
10. Find out what the local speciality dishes are and decide whether you will try them – go on – have a go! We tried “Ants in the tree” when we were in Malawi: delicious! And, No! It wasn’t ants.
11. An inquiring mind, patience, and the genuine wish to learn from other cultures will provide you with insights about yourself and everyone around.
12. Finally, travel with a sense of wonder, enthusiasm and excitement and this will provide you with the attitude to enjoy your experiences.

 Many people ask whether humour travels – sometimes it does, but more often than not it gets seasick on the way. Here are 10 things to consider on the topic of intercultural humour:

1. Humour gets rather seasick when it travels! Don’t be surprised if foreigners don’t laugh at your jokes
2. Each culture has its own sense of humour. Be aware of the types of humour appreciated by various cultures; irony, slapstick, linguistic, etc.
3. Some cultures have humour that seems infantile to others, or even grotesque!
4. Most cultures have a ‘type’ or a nation who are the butt of their jokes. Ask about that when you are on your travels.
5. Humour can be about nuances which are too subtle for other cultures
6. Humour often involves wordplay and colloquialisms
7. Different cultures have preferences for humorous topics; family, mother-in-law, politics, religion, sexist, blondes, etc. Be aware that what is acceptable in one culture is often very offensive in another. Listen and learn!
8. Some cultures use humour to diffuse tense situations
9. The ability to laugh at oneself is appreciated in some people, but astonishes others. How can you belittle yourself?
10. Don’t start your business presentation with a joke unless you are certain this is acceptable.  Many cultures believe it shows disrespect and demeans the event.

If you want to do international business on the web, consider the impact of culture on the understanding, interpretation, and use of your web-site. Things like colour, content, language, and even the tools we use are not accepted around the world in the same way – there are cross cultural differences. Here are just a few things to consider:

International Negotiations are a minefield. Often people believe that:

1. International deals will happen automatically if the correct government policies and structures are in place.
2. The successful strategies we use in meetings and negotiating on the domestic scene can apply to international settings.
3. Others’ perceptions and stereotyping of us won’t be allowed to affect the negotiations
4. Everyone likes to get down to business and focus on the end game: a legally binding contract.
5. The ‘rules of engagement’ are the same all over the world

 But it just ain’t so …

They don’t come funnier than this:

1. At a Budapest zoo: Please do not feed the animals. If you have any suitable food, give it to the guard on duty.
2. In a Belgrade hotel elevator: To move the cabin, push the button for wishing floor. If the cabin should enter more persons, each one should press a number of wishing floor. Driving is then going alphabetically by national order.
3. In a Yugoslavian hotel: The flattening of underwear with pleasure is the job of the chambermaid.
4. In an Austrian hotel catering to skiers: Not to perambulate the corridors in the hours of repose in the boots of ascension.
5. In an East African newspaper: A new swimming pool is rapidly taking shape since the contractors have thrown in the bulk of their workers.
6. In a Copenhagen airline ticket office: We take your bags and send them in all directions.
7. In a Bangkok dry cleaners: Drop your trousers here for best results.
8. French dress shop “We sell dresses for street walking.”
9. Tailor in Jordan  “Order your summer suit.  Because if big rush we will execute customers in strict rotation.” 
10. Tokyo hotel posted this sign: “You are respectfully requested to take advantage of the chambermaids.”
11.  Outside a Hong Kong tailor shop: Ladies may have a fit upstairs
12. In a hotel in Athens: Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 and 11 a.m. daily.