- Having a business dinner or social dinner with business employees may be simple in the United States, but the situation may become more complicated when dining with businessmen and women from another country.
- In the United States, employees may eat breakfast, lunch or dinner together. This will mostly be a social meeting for building morale, although business can be discussed.
- The following countries have the following customs regarding business meals and social meals with business personnel:
- Canada: Wait for your host to start a business conversation during or following a meal. Traditionally, business is not discussed during dinner; however, this is slowly changing.
- Mexico: Working breakfasts are popular, meeting at 8:00 or 8:30 at the hotel of those out of town, and usually lasting two hours at the most. Business lunches are more common than business dinners. They are usually long-term events, beginning between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. and lasting three to four hours, with little time being devoted to actual business. Lunches are used to establish a personal relationship.
- Spain: Dining is usually associated with establishing business relationships in Spain. It is common to dine with employees for most or all of your meals. Dinner is served late at 9:00pm, so take advantage of the siesta before then.
- England: A business lunch is most common and will take place in a pub and will consist of a light meal and a pint of ale. Do not bring up the subject of work after hours. Do not toast those older than you.
- France: Business can be conducted during any meal, but lunch is best. Avoid drinking hard liquor before meals or smoking cigars between courses. The French believe this negates the ability of the taste buds, compromising the taste of the meal.
- Germany: Avoid using humor while the conversation is on business. This may come off as rude or inappropriate.
- Italy: Give special treatment to the person of highest authority or oldest years.
- Russia: Always toast when the occasion occurs. Not drinking to a toast is considered an offense. Social events are more relaxed. It is acceptable for foreigners to be 15 to 30 minutes late.
- India: Lunches are preferred to dinners for business. Remember that Hindus do not eat beef and Muslims do not eat pork.
- China: It is unacceptable to discuss business at meals. Meals are social affairs. Wait for the host or hostess to eat and drink first. If you are dining on food from China, it is expected of you to taste all the dishes you are offered. But do not eat too much of one thing. There may be multiple courses. Do not eat all of your meal. This will be interpreted that you are not full and are still hungry.
- Japan: Business is discussed at meals. When toasting, the glass is never left unfilled. Drinking is an important part of Japanese culture. It is a way to relieve business stress. However you should never pour the drink yourself. Allow someone else to do it for you. If after-hours business is being done at a “hostess bar,” women are not allowed. Allow the host to order and pay for the meal.
- Australia: Eye contact is important. Afternoon tea at 4:00pm, evening tea with meal between 6:00 and 8:00, and dinner as a light meal or snack are taken with either social or business means.
- Information gained from links on http://www.cyborlink.com/.
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