Acknowledgements 16

On Cultural Differences of Business Etiquette Between China and Britain

I。 Introduction 

    Human beings draw close to one another by their common nature, but habits and customs keep them apart。 Nowadays, world has become smaller because of the means of communication and transportation, but people are in one world with different cultures。 Culture is a specific concept and value system, which will constitute people’s life and work behaviors。 Because of the differences in traditional customs, values, religious beliefs and ways of thinking between China and Britain, the cultural performances of the two countries are different。 It is culture that guides people’s behavior in social life and affects business communications between the two countries。 International business activities not only include exchanges and cooperation between different countries, but also include communication, collision, conflict and integration between different cultures (Lewis 27)。 文献综述

    With the increasing trend of economic globalization, China and Britain have become more closely in business communications。 Cultural differences plays an very important role in international business activities。 With specially cultural environment, each country has developed various ways to deal with a given type of interaction which is inappropriate to say that one way is better than the other。 Different cultures values their own etiquette rules and think highly of them。 Therefore, a good way to achieve a better communication and cooperation between countries is to know the different international business etiquettes from the perspective of cultural differences。 Bilateral understanding how cultural differences influence on the business etiquette, and show respect towards each other’s cultural similar points and differences in the Sino-British business, which can help the two countries maintain a harmonious relationship in business activities。 This paper intends to discuss different business etiquette between China and Britain and how cultural differences between two countries have influenced their different business etiquette。 And finally there are some suggestions for achieving the business communication effectively between the two countries。

II。 Different Presentations of Business Etiquette Between China and Britain

2。1 Greeting and Dressing

    Making greetings and introductions is not only the first step in business activities, but also a crucial part of business activities。 Differences and similarities in greeting and introduction between China and Britain are obvious。 At the first time, Chinese people like to ask the name, age and other personal things, while the British unwilling to be asked their age, income or other personal affairs。 “Lady is the first” is a common rule which is followed by the two countries in shake hands and the regular order in introduction。 To show respect for customers, Chinese people would often hold their hands shaking up and down, chat with them, and shake hands slightly longer。 On the contrary, after shaking hands with others, British people will immediately release their hands and keep a certain distance between each other, and they think it is an indecent behavior to pat other people。来:自[优E尔L论W文W网www.youerw.com +QQ752018766-

    The clothes one wears and how he or she wears are absolutely vital to one’s overall appearance。 In Chinese business culture, conservative color suits and uniforms are the norm。 It is inappropriate to wear any kind of bright color clothes。 Conservative suits or dresses are the best choice for women, and a blouse or shirt should have a high neckline。 Stick with a uniform, neutral color, such as yellow and brown。 Flat shoes or shoes with very low heels are mainly a good choice for women which represent the conservativeness and modesty of Chinese people。 It’s true, especially if a person is higher than his or her master。 High heels are desirable only in the formal reception of foreign diplomats。 Men should wear a suit and tie in formal activities。 Polishing their clothing before businesses is common for British people。 And a suit with a shirt and a tie is an accepted form of clothing for British men when they are conducting business while either a suit or a skirt and jacket with a blouse is acceptable for women。