Foreign Affairs: 5 Things to avoid when traveling abroad
From following international safety advisories to practicing proper protocol with foreign colleagues, there are many things to keep in mind when doing business abroad. Here we offer five things you may wish to avoid to ensure a successful—and uneventful—trip to remember.
1. Being unprepared or “winging” it One of the biggest mistakes that a novice international traveler can make is not being prepared to assimilate into their host country. While stateside trips may be made “on the fly” with little or no preparation, international travel requires research into a foreign country to understand the customs, culture, etiquette and protocol of the people in the country in which you will be doing business. With international incidents spiking around the world, it’s also wise to look at the safeguards in place for international travelers in case of an emergency. On a practical note, when doing business in a foreign country, it’s also a good idea to keep your passport with you at all times, carry contact information for your embassy, and keep a fully charged phone. Also remember that governments issue advisories about safety concerns that may affect travel to a particular country or region. Stay abreast of all travel advisories that may include warnings about terrorism, natural disasters, political unrest, wars, health emergencies, and outbreaks of violent crimes against tourists. To learn more about the general culture of a foreign country and to keep abreast of travel advisories, visit the U.S. Department of State website at www.travel.state.gov.
2. Taking “Business Casual” Abroad Although the US is showing signs of a revival toward more traditional forms of business customs, Americans are still known for their predilection toward “business casual.” As business cards are replaced by shared contacts on smart phones and traditional suits become garments of a bygone era, keep in mind that our international counterparts may follow more traditional and formal customs. In China for instance, business cards are so revered that they are expected to be put into a case rather than a wallet or pocket. In Japan, you are expected to accept a business card using both hands. As for clothing, dark, conservative business suits are still preferred in many host countries around the globe for both men and women. So keep the in-formalities stateside and go “business class” with your international colleagues.
3. Watch Your (Body) Language Language barriers can cause many challenges when doing business abroad—both literally and physically. For instance, what may seem like simple hand gesturing can actually be highly offensive in a foreign country. As you probably know, the “OK” sign is a perfectly accepted cultural gesture in America, but in a country like Turkey and Brazil, it’s seen as a highly vulgar reference to the most private part of the human anatomy. Another thing to watch out for is touching. Perfectly acceptable in the US, southern Europe and some Latin American cultures, back pats or touching someone’s arm, elbow or shoulder is seen as inappropriate and lacking decorum in many other parts of the world including the Middle East. And speaking of actual language barriers, it’s important to attempt to understand some basic understanding of your host country’s native tongue. If possible, study the language or hire an interpreter to ensure there is no communication breakdown.
4. Don’t forget your manners When doing business abroad, it is good to remember that culturally accepted manners associated with food, beverages and gifting are as varied as there are foreign countries. But keep in mind that there are accepted forms of etiquette that may seem as foreign as the language of your host country. For example, it is considered rude not to accept tea or coffee if it is offered in Egypt, even if you do not drink it. In Russia, offering someone vodka is a sign of trust and friendship and you should never turn it down—even if you do not drink. On the culinary side, never touch your plate with your left hand while eating in Saudi Arabia. Why? Because the left hand is associated with certain bodily functions that are unmentionable in this column. On the gifting side, when doing business in China, clocks should be avoided, as the Chinese word for clock can be associated with death. In general, it’s a good idea to do research into gift giving practices and dining customs to make sure you don’t end up looking like a bad guest.
5. Don’t be the “Ugly American” Unfortunately, Americans are sometimes thought of as loud, arrogant and thoughtless by many international neighbors. But every time we travel abroad, we have the opportunity to eradicate the “self-indulgent” stereotype. Remember that in many countries such as Europe and Asia, some cultures prefer a more humble, collaborative approach to communication styles opposed to the egocentric styles of many American business people (and presidential candidates!). Also, remember that many topics of conversation such as sex, politics and religion are absolutely taboo in other countries, and these subjects may cause undue embarrassment for you and your international hosts. So again, it is best to do your research into accepted cultural topics and communication styles of the country you are visiting and follow the lead of your hosts.