International Business Etiquette Quiz

by Jeffrey Hill

At a business meeting in Russia, your host offers youvodka, but you only drink wine not spirits. Shouldyou:

a) Accept the vodka, but not drink any of it.

b) Politely refuse, and expect your host to understand.

c) Politely accept the vodka and pour it out when your host is not looking.

At a business meeting in Russia, your host offers youvodka, but you only drink wine not spirits. Shouldyou:

a) Accept the vodka, but not drink any of it.

b) Politely refuse, and expect your host to understand.

c) Politely accept the vodka and pour it out when your host is not looking.

When conducting business in Australia, it is best to:

a) Act like a local and use as much slang as possible.

b) Not waste anyone’s time; be punctual and direct.

c) Purchase local beer and take it to all meetings as a gift.

When conducting business in Australia, it is best to:

a) Act like a local and use as much slang as possible.

b) Not waste anyone’s time; be punctual and direct.

c) Purchase local beer and take it to all meetings as a gift.

You have arrived at a business meeting in South Korea, and are going to meet the company’spresident. You should:

a) Look him in the eye and extend your hand for a handshake.

b) Bow and wait for him to initiate the handshake.

c) Nod your head slightly.

You have arrived at a business meeting in South Korea, and are going to meet the company’spresident. You should:

a) Look him in the eye and extend your hand for a handshake.

b) Bow and wait for him to initiate the handshake.

c) Nod your head slightly.

After meeting a prospective client in China, she givesyou her business card. You should:

a) Copy her information and leave the card on the table.

b) Put it away only after carefully studying itsdetails.

c) Hand it back to her aftermemorizing her information.

After meeting a prospective client in China, she givesyou her business card. You should:

a) Copy her information and leave the card on the table.

b) Put it away only after carefully studying itsdetails.

c) Hand it back to her aftermemorizing her information.

What colour ink is best for business cards in China?

a) Green

b) Black

c) Gold

What colour ink is best for business cards in China?

a) Green

b) Black

c) Gold

In Japan, you should accept a business card with …

a) both hands

b) the left hand

c) the right hand

In Japan, you should accept a business card with …

a) both hands

b) the left hand

c) the right hand

Which of these should you avoid doing in Brazil?

a) Initially using first names

b) Eye contact

c) Asking about family

Which of these should you avoid doing in Brazil?

a) Initially using first names

b) Eye contact

c) Asking about family

Which of these is probably the most important factor to bear in mind when doing business in Brazil?

a) Brazilians are very wary of foreigners

b) Business is only really done with people they like and trust

c) Brazilians take a very relaxed approach to business

Which of these is probably the most important factor to bear in mind when doing business in Brazil?

a) Brazilians are very wary of foreigners

b) Business is only really done with people they like and trust

c) Brazilians take a very relaxed approach to business

Which of these should you avoid in China?

a) Touching and physical contact

b) Speaking about family

c) Silence during conversations

Which of these should you avoid in China?

a) Touching and physical contact

b) Speaking about family

c) Silence during conversations

In China, which of these would should you avoid when giving gifts?

a) Ink pens

b) Clocks

c) Vases

In China, which of these would should you avoid when giving gifts?

a) Ink pens

b) Clocks

c) Vases

If you want to gift to someone in Latin America, it’sbest to avoid which colour wrapping paper?

a) purple

b) blue

c) yellow

If you want to gift to someone in Latin America, it’sbest to avoid which colour wrapping paper?

a) purple

b) blue

c) yellow

In Great Britain, tapping the side of your nose meansthat something is:

a) confidential

b) inappropriate

c) very boring

In Great Britain, tapping the side of your nose meansthat something is:

a) confidential

b) inappropriate

c) very boring

When a Pole flicks a finger against their neck it means:

a) You're dead.

b) Join me for a drink.

c) You must be joking.

When a Pole flicks a finger against their neck it means:

a) You're dead.

b) Join me for a drink.

c) You must be joking.

In Belarus, when someone pokes their thumb between their forefinger and middle finger it means...

a) You have been beaten (i.e. in negotiations)

b) You will get nothing

c) Go away

In Belarus, when someone pokes their thumb between their forefinger and middle finger it means...

a) You have been beaten (i.e. in negotiations)

b) You will get nothing

c) Go away

When doing business in Saudi Arabia, you should:

a) Try to schedule meetings in the afternoon.

b) Expect frequent interruptions during meetings.

c) Remove your shoes before business meetings.

When doing business in Saudi Arabia, you should:

a) Try to schedule meetings in the afternoon.

b) Expect frequent interruptions during meetings.

c) Remove your shoes before business meetings.

If invited to a house for dinner in Turkey, which of these would you take?

a) Wine

b) Pastries

c) Flowers

If invited to a house for dinner in Turkey, which of these would you take?

a) Wine

b) Pastries

c) Flowers

You are preparing a presentation for some potential Arab clients. What kind of information would be best?

a) Statistical

b) Visual

c) Textual

You are preparing a presentation for some potential Arab clients. What kind of information would be best?

a) Statistical

b) Visual

c) Textual

You can’t do business in Muslim countries on:

a) Fridays

b) Saturdays

c) Sundays

You can’t do business in Muslim countries on:

a) Fridays

b) Saturdays

c) Sundays

Which of these best describes Indian society?

a) Meritocratic

b) Hierarchical

c) Egalitarian

Which of these best describes Indian society?

a) Meritocratic

b) Hierarchical

c) Egalitarian

While delegating tasks to an Indian colleague your questions are all responded to with a 'yes'. This means...

a) He/She is being respectful.

b) He/She understands fully.

c) He/She will do exactly as you ask.

While delegating tasks to an Indian colleague your questions are all responded to with a 'yes'. This means...

a) He/She is being respectful.

b) He/She understands fully.

c) He/She will do exactly as you ask.