It can be pretty challenging to have successful business meetings with people from other countries. Language differences can make communication difficult, but the wide variation in cultural customs can present even greater problems. The way something is done in your own country is often very different from the way it's done in another country. For example, in some countries, people kiss or hug each other when they meet; in other countries, people shake hands or bow. In important business situations, understanding how to interact in the right way can be as critical to a good work relationship as knowing what to say. Whether we think about it or not, we make judgments about people (how they’re dressed, what they say, what they do) when we first meet them. These first impressions in any personal or professional meeting are often very significant. If you are not correctly informed about how to do business across cultures, you run the risk of offending a potential client and losing a valuable business opportunity. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the “dos” and “don’ts” of a first time, face-to-face meeting. Here are some tips on doing business in the United States or with people from the United States. The following advice on what to do during a first-time meeting may help things go smoothly. Using Names: Americans will often introduce themselves and others using both their first (e.g., John) and last (e.g., Smith) names: “Hi, my name is John Smith,” or “I’d like you to meet Mary Jones.” Most Americans will not be insulted if you use their first name after being introduced to them. It is OK to say, “Hi, Mary, it’s nice to meet you.” If you are not comfortable doing this, then use one of the choices below: • For men, use “Mr.” + last name. For example, “Hi, Mr. Smith. Nice to meet you.” • For women, use “Ms.” (pronounced “Miz”) + last name. For example, ”Hi, Ms. Jones. Nice to meet you.” Note that “Ms.” can be used for all women because it does not indicate marital status. Shaking Hands: In the United States, when you meet people for the first time, a short but firm handshake is appropriate. Exchanging Business Cards: In the United States, people typically exchange business cards only if there is a need to contact a person again. Business cards are usually exchanged at the end of a meeting and many people put them away immediately. Making Small Talk: Often, before a meeting starts, there will be some prebusiness conversation--or “small talk”--so that people can get to know each other a little bit. Americans will typically chat about things like the weather, the news, or travel; it’s OK for you to bring up these topics as well. Don’t assume, though, that a lot of time will be spent chatting; Americans consider about 5 to 10 minutes a reasonable amount of time for small talk. After this, they usually want to begin the business discussion.
Q1:Who is this article written for?
(A) Non-Americans planning to do business in the U.S. or with people from the U.S. (B) Americans who work for companies outside of the United States (C) Americans planning to do business with people from another country (D) Non-Americans planning to do business with people from other countries
Q2:Which of the following tips is NOT mentioned in the article?
(A) what style of dress is appropriate in a meeting (B) how to address someone when you first meet (C) how to make small talk before a meeting (D) when and why to offer a business card
Q3: Look at the word critical in the article. Which phrase below means the same thing as critical?
(A) very interesting (B) more valuable (C) very important (D) less valuable
Q4: Look at the word insulted in the article. Most Americans won't be _____ if you call them by their first names in a business setting.
Q2:Which of the following tips is NOT mentioned in the article?
(A) what style of dress is appropriate in a meeting (B) how to address someone when you first meet (C) how to make small talk before a meeting (D) when and why to offer a business card
Q3: Look at the word critical in the article. Which phrase below means the same thing as critical?