Cross-Cultural Business Etiquette Training
An employee is receiving a briefing or training on the specific business etiquette and cultural nuances of a country they will be doing business with.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
hierarchy
A system where people are ranked by importance or authority, like in a company. In Japanese business, respecting hierarchy means showing more deference to bosses or seniors.
respect
Showing admiration or politeness towards someone, especially those in higher positions. In cross-cultural etiquette, it's key to demonstrate respect through actions like bowing.
bow
To bend your body forward slightly as a sign of respect or greeting. In Japan, a slight bow is common in business meetings to show politeness.
senior
Someone who is older or higher in rank, like a manager or executive. In business, always show extra courtesy to seniors.
business cards
Small cards with contact information exchanged in professional settings. In Japan, called 'meishi', they are treated with great care as a sign of respect.
reverence
Deep respect or admiration. When handling business cards in Japan, treat them with reverence by not folding or pocketing them right away.
indirect communication
A way of talking that avoids being too direct, using hints instead. Common in Japanese business to maintain harmony and avoid offense.
harmony
A state of agreement and peace in relationships. In Japanese culture, business discussions aim for harmony by avoiding arguments or direct refusals.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Before your trip to Japan next month, I wanted to go over some key cross-cultural etiquette points.
This sentence uses 'go over' meaning to review or discuss something important. It's useful for starting training sessions or briefings, showing politeness and preparation in business contexts. The structure with 'before' clause sets a future time frame.
I appreciate the heads-up.
'Heads-up' is an idiom meaning a warning or advance notice. This casual expression shows gratitude in professional settings, like when someone informs you about important details ahead of time.
One of the most important things to remember in Japan is the emphasis on hierarchy and respect.
This is a cleft sentence structure ('One of the most important things... is...') to emphasize key information. Useful for highlighting cultural points in training, helping learners focus on priorities like respect in business.
Always bow slightly when greeting someone, especially if they are senior to you.
Uses 'always' for strong advice and 'especially' to add condition. This imperative sentence gives clear instructions for etiquette, practical for meetings or greetings in hierarchical cultures like Japan.
It's generally best to respond to their bow, but if you're unsure, a polite, slight bow as you greet them is fine.
This conditional sentence ('if you're unsure') offers flexible advice with alternatives. Helpful for uncertain situations in cross-cultural interactions, teaching politeness and adaptability.
Remember to exchange business cards with two hands, and always treat it with reverence.
Imperative with 'remember to' for reminders, using 'and' to connect actions. Essential for business etiquette lessons, emphasizing specific cultural practices like handling cards respectfully.
In Japanese business culture, indirect communication is common.
Simple declarative sentence introducing a cultural norm. Useful for explaining differences in communication styles, with 'is common' showing frequency in professional discussions.
Pay attention to silences and body language. And always strive for harmony; avoid confrontation.
Imperatives ('pay attention', 'strive for', 'avoid') give direct advice. The semicolon connects related ideas. Practical for negotiation tips, teaching observation and conflict avoidance in meetings.