4. Business etiquette

Business Entertaining. ‘Going for a pint’ after work is common in Britain. It’s a good place to make friends and get to know the Brits, and you don’t have to drink alcohol. Despite their reputation for reserve, the British are quite quick to invite visitors to their homes for dinner or for lunch at the weekend.

Business breakfasts in hotels are becoming more common and are changing to a more Continental style - from the very large traditional breakfasts of eggs, bacon, sausage, kippers, etc. Lunch is generally between noon and 2:00 p.m. A business lunch will often be conducted in a pub and will be a light meal.

Legislation to ban smoking in English pubs and private clubs was passed in 2006! A similar vote passed in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. That the traditional thick layer of smoke in pubs is now just one more English tradition left by the wayside.

With senior executives, lunch will be eaten in the best restaurants or in the executive dining room. When you go out after working hours, do not bring up the subject of work unless your British associates do—otherwise, you will be considered a bore.

Animals are usually a good topic of conversation. Do not make jokes about the royal family. It is not good form to discuss one's genealogy.

5. Protocol

Greetings. A handshake is standard for business occasions and when visiting a home. Women do not always shake hands. When introduced, say "How do you do?" instead of "Nice to meet you." The question is rhetorical. It is polite to shake hands at the beginning and end of meetings. However, if you’re a frequent visitor to a company, you will not be expected to shake hands with everyone in the office, only with those with whom you’re dealing directly. You’ll receive a limp, tenuous handshake from a surprising number of Britons: it is their nervousness at confronting someone new, combined with the British reluctance to reveal too much emotion too soon.

Titles/forms of address. Business titles are not used in conversation. Find out the honorary titles of anyone you will be in contact with, and use them no matter how familiar you are with the person. Doctors, clergy, and so forth are addressed by title plus last name; however, surgeons are addressed as "Mr.," "Mrs.," or "Miss." Rather than "sir," you should use the title of the person you are addressing (i.e., "Yes, Minister," and not "Yes, sir"). The use of first names is becoming more common. However, you should follow the initiative of your host.

Gestures. It is considered impolite to talk with your hands in your pockets. The British often do not look at the other person while they talk. Don't point with your fingers, but instead indicate something with your head. Sitting with your ankle resting on your knee may be seen as impolite. If you give the "victory" sign (a V with two fingers), do so with the palm facing outward. If the reversed (palm inwards) can be vulgar and offensive. Tapping your nose means confidentiality, or a secret. It is inappropriate to touch others in public; even backslapping or putting an arm around the shoulders of another can make the English uncomfortable. In addition, the English maintain a wide physical space between conversation partners. Avoid excessive hand gestures when speaking.

Gifts. Gifts are not part of doing business in England. Rather than giving gifts, it is preferable to invite your hosts out for a meal or a show. When you are invited to an English home, you may bring flowers (not white lilies, which signify death), liquor or champagne, and chocolates. Send a brief, handwritten thank-you note promptly afterward, preferably by mail or e-mail—not by messenger. Great gifts: wine, chocolate, a souvenir from your own country. Avoid giving: most presents are acceptable.

Dress. Conservative dress is very important. Men in executive positions still generally wear laced shoes, not loafers. Men's shirts should not have pockets; if they do, the pockets should be empty. Men should not wear striped ties; the British "regimentals" are striped, and yours may look like an imitation. Men's clothes should be of excellent quality, but they do not necessarily have to look new. Women should also dress conservatively.

Five Ways to Succeed	Five Ways to Fail
Deliver on time, without drama	Boast about your achievements
Arrive at meetings punctually	Talk for an hour in a presentation
If you’re having difficulties, ask advice immediately rather than risk missing a deadline	Phone people in the evening about work
Check at the end of a meeting exactly what the Brits expect of you	Let a colleague down once he or she believes they can depend on you
Join them for a beer after work, or in the gym (many Brits now avoid alcohol)	Be patronizing to women

LECTURE 3

CULTURAL TRADITIONS AND BUSINESS COMMUNICATION STYLE OF FRANCE

Plan of the lecture:

1. Country background.

2. Values and attitudes characteristic of the French.

3. Business practice in France.

4. French business etiquette.

5. Protocol.

1. COUNTRY BACKGROUND

France has a population of approximately 58 million people and is the largest West European country.

History. The cultural roots of the French go back to the Celtic Gauls, who were conquered by Julius Caesar in 51 B.C. Some regions of France came under the control of English kings. The Hundred Years War (1337-1453) ended with the English expelled from France by Charles VII—aided by Joan of Arc.

The Reformation made inroads into Catholic France, primarily in the form of the Huguenots, causing a series of civil wars. Eventually, most Protestants left, and France remained a Catholic nation.

The French Revolution of 1789 abolished feudalism and absolute monarchy but failed to establish democracy, France was held together by Napoleon I, who established the First Empire. France was at war for most of his reign, which ended in France's defeat by a European coalition in 1815.

Like most of Europe, France suffered badly in the First World War (1914-1918). France entered the Second World War in 1939 and was soon overrun by Nazi Germany. The Allies landed in France at Normandy in June 1944, and the German occupation force was pushed back.

In 1957, France joined with five other Western European powers to form the EEC (European Economic Community), a common market of 165 million people largely free of tariff barriers. This eventually evolved into the European Union. France, one of the founder members of the European Union, certainly sees itself very much as a driving force of the 'European project.

Type of government. France is a multiparty republic. The head of the government Is the prime minister; the president is chief of state. The French people elect the president and the two houses of Parliament. The president, who appoints the prime minister, serves for five years. The president has a large share of the power, including the right to dissolve the lower house of Parliament, the Assemblee Nationale, and call for new elections. According to the constitution, it is the government and not the president that decides on national policy. For current government data, check at http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0819413 .html.

Language and education. The French people are very proud of their language, which was the international language of diplomacy for centuries. The fact that English is now the international language of finance, science, and aviation is inconsequent. The French believe their language is still superior. Many French businesspeople speak English but will prefer to conduct their meetings in French.

It is interesting to know that in 1966, the French government established a commission to combat Franglais, a mixture of French and English which created French terms to replace words borrowed from English. Education is of great importance to the French. The educational system is almost free of charge from the primary school through the Ph.D. level for French citizens.

Religion. There is no official religion. France is principally a Catholic country (70 percent), although new immigrants are raising the percentage of Islam (5-10 percent). Many other religions, including Protestantism and Judaism, are present, and there are also many people unaffiliated with any religion.