Naomi Polson, who received her etiquette certificate in Washington DC and is the Founding Director of The Etiquette Company, offers this simple tip if you are meeting with someone who uses a language that you do not speak, "You might consider if the person is not particularly fluent in our language either. You need to slow down and not use any jargon that the person would not understand, especially when it comes to something that will be pertinent to your work. They may not know what it means, so refrain from using it."
Another important aspect, when it comes to international business matters, is to learn what the appropriate use of names is within the culture you will be dealing with. Naomi gives this example: "Chinese names are often written backwards, so the family name would be put first and then the individuals name would be second. So just be aware that you may be calling someone by his first name, which would be considered rude in their country because we don't know them."
It is also advisable to learn about personal traditions as well. You never know when you might be invited into someone's home or to a formal dinner for social reasons instead of business motives. You do not want to risk ruining all of your hard work by making an offensive, and avoidable, faux pas.
There might be times where you do not have the time to research a potential client's or associate's traditions, such as with a last minute business dinner. If this ever happens to you, take a deep breath and do not let your nervousness read "all over your face". No one wants to do business with someone who cracks under pressure. At the beginning of the meeting, after shaking the other person's hand and introducing yourself, simply ask a few pertinent questions about their culture. As long as you phrase them in a way that is respectful and conveys genuine interest, very few people actually mind sharing information about their way of life. This also shows that you are willing to learn even the smallest details, in order to better serve them and/or their company. As long as you are polished in the basic skills of proper business etiquette and are congenial and courteous in all other ways, you can usually cover any small blunder with a smile and apology and be forgiven.
When it comes to international business etiquette, just like any other aspect of life, you can "learn from your mistakes". But it's better to gain knowledge beforehand, so you can avoid costly errors altogether.
