We need to pay attention to the business etiquette in the workplace, in particular in Japan because there are a lot of unique etiquettes which is not common globally. It may become embarrassing if you don’t learn and practice properly. From this week, I will present a series of lessons to show you the most important Japanese business etiquette.
1. Change business cards at the beginning of the business meeting.
You must do so at the beginning of the business meeting. It is a very critical business practice to exchange business cards on the occasion of negotiation or meeting, while it is not so important in the rest of the world. Properly exchange business cards could bring a huge effect on your meeting sometime. In Japan, the etiquette of exchanging business cards involves the expression of respect, but in other countries, a business card merely serves as a substitute for taking notes and existing in order to remember each other. In other countries, it is generally better to shake hands with each other and report their name than to exchange business cards. It is also common to exchange business card at the close of negotiations or meetings in other countries.
2. Do not fold your arms.
Many people in meetings and negotiations would fold their arms unconsciously. However, it will be considered “to show hostile meaning” in the case of business. Hence, in meetings or negotiations, please be careful not to fold your arms.
3. Respond with a smile even though you don’t follow what is going on.
In Japan, it is better to smile on the business occasion even when you don’t understand others’ meaning because it looks friendly. and polite. But in other countries, people usually would give others a kind of I-do-not-understand face. So you might need to practice it if you are not familiar with this etiquette.