Business And Social Etiquette In Chinese and Japanese

Problem
Have you ever met a VIP and not realised who they were?

Print your titles on your business card in Asia. Far from embrrassing other people, it embarrsses them not to know your qualifications.

Who do you want to speak to? Who are you?

The receptionist does not want the embarrassment of calling the head of the company from a meeting with the President, in order to meet a postboy delivering a non-urgent letter.

You hand over your card with both hands. The other person receives it with both hands.

You should read the card. Comment and admire.

Don't put it in the back pocket suggesting you are happy to sit on it and crease it. Do not write upon it.

Now you are ready for another meeting. Suggest a date.

Positive Conversation
The Chinese don't say No.

Nor do the Japanese.
Apparently, if you ask if somebody can make a meeting on Tuesday, they might reply, positively,
'Ah yes, I am very happy to meet you, but Monday would be better, because on Tuesday I am in hospital where triple b-pass of heart will be performed.'

The verb comes at the end in Japanese, so everybody listens politely until you reach the end of the sentence. No assuming, guessing or interrupting. Such things are neither possible, nor permitted.

http://blog.tutorming.com/business/business-chinese-phrases-to-make-your-boss-like-you

If you invite a Japanese lady around for tea, or to your house for a visit, she invariably brings some food.

Gift Wrapping
If she brings a gift, she will wrap in it colourful paper and tie it with ribbon as if it is a brithday or special occasion, which it is.

In France, shop assistants ask if a purchase is a gift. If so, they wrap it for you. When ordering from Amazon, you can specify gift wrapping and a card with your name on it, which costs extra but is good for a special occasion.

Make sure that if you give money, or flowers, you have chosen a suitable number. In China, four is unlucky because it sounds like death. Eight is lucky. Ask the shop for advice.

Useful Travel Websites
Travel to China
cnto.org
Travel to Japan
see-japan.co.uk
Travel to France
visitfrance.co.uk

Author
Angela Lansbury

Address cards, printing, storing, presenting, re-using

Problems
1 How to print address cards in a hurry
2 How to print and carry lots of cheap address cards
3 How to find your address cards when you have lots of pockets, your new friends is about nato jump off the bus or train, or the person who gave you a lift drops you at a station on a corner with cameras and don't stop signs and you need your business card in a hurry.

Answers
1 Find printing machines in shopping malls that print you 20 cards instantly or office supply shops often have a printing department which prints cards while you wait.
2 Photocopy your last card several times
3 Find somebody who can do calligraphy to hand write your address, telephone, email, website and draw a logo and photocopy it
4 Print Able labels stickers - and get them sent to your hotel or conference centre
5 Write you name and website address on the back of cards you no longer need, such as restaurant cards which you can photograph on your mobile
6 Ask others to photograph your last business card(s) using their mobile
7 Photograph your last business card on your mobile and share the photo with others to give them your address
8 Print company cards or family address cards adding at the top or the bottom of the front or back
the words Presented by ......... Then all the family or both business partners, or whoever runs out of cards first can use the Presented by set as extras.
9 When you have lots of pockets keep all your cards in a holder or simple an elastic band in the lower or upper right hand pocket (if you are aright handed - if not, the left hand pocket).
10 Place two business cards in each pocket of your jacket(s) and every bag and case. Whenever you are asked for a business card or need it in a hurry, you will have a card in whichever pocket you reach into. When you get home, or back to the office, re-fill whichever pocket is empty.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. See my books on Amazon and lulu.com
Please like and share my posts on this blog and Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube.

Packing for a weekend away/conference YOUR PACKING LIST

First make a list. (You can print this as a checklist.)
Tick inside oval against items packed to go; and second tick when packing to come home
Your first item to locate is

Suitcase
00 Suitcase
00 padlock and
00 key.
00 Spare key.
00 luggage strap
00 luggage label
00 Folding string bag/tote bag for souvenirs/books/magazines.

Travel comfort
00 Pillow
00 toothbrush
00 eyeshades
00 cash.
00 Brimmed hat
00 driving glasses.
00 Map.
00 Satnav or GPS watch.

Travel Clothes
00 Coat
00 shoes
00 umbrella.
You outfit should be comfortable for travelling. This outfit is the first one seen by the hotel reception and conference hosts when you arrive. If you are late you might go straight into lunch or dinner or a meeting.

Hotel and Travel
Check the hotel, conference centre address if different, person to call if there's any problem. Check Tripadvisor for rooms, in case you want to request a quiet back room, or sea view. Check destination restaurants in case you don't like the hotel food and want to meet somebody from another hotel.

Weather
Consider weather related items:
00 Umbrella.
00 Raincoat
00 Hood
00 Boots
00 Warm hat and
00 gloves.
00 Sunglasses and
00 insect repellent and
00 fly spray.

Cleaners
If you are fussy,
00 Spider Away
00 insect repellent
00 stain remover
00 wet wipe
00 hand gel.
00 Pillow case and/or pillow.

First Aid
00 Elastoplast
00 bite soother
00 Skin cream.

Night clothes
00 Night dress or pyjamas.
00 Slippers.
00 Wrap.

Underclothes
00 Bra
00 Pants
00 Socks
00 Tights
00 Vests.

Day clothes.
00 Dress
00 Trousers
00 Skirt
00 Blouse
00 jacket
00 scarf.

Evening clothes.
00 Black /sequin Evening dress
00 White shirt
00 tie
00 Black suit
00 Evening scarf
00 Hair clip.

Fancy dress.
00 Dress./suit
00 White Sheet.
00 Black cape
00 Witches' Hat.
00 Placard for name of outfit.
00 Felt tip pen.
00 Sewing kit.
00 Scissors.
00 Glue.
00 String.
00 Mask.
00 Face paint.
00 Bow tie.
00 False moustache.

Technology
00 Mobile Phone.
00 Charger.
00 Plug.
00 Lead.
00 Extension socket.
00 Light bulbs.
00 laptop
00 laptop bag
00 mouse
00 lead
00 pin numbers encrypted

Food and Drink
00 Water.
00 Hot drink/thermos
00 Knife
00 fork
00 spoon
00 plate/bowl
00 drinking cup
00 Fruit. apple
00 Fruit grapes
00 Nuts.
00 Chocolate
00 biscuits
00 cheese
00 Tinned sardines for emergency.
00 Rubbish bag.
00 Swiss army knife
00 bottle opener

For Destination
00 Bottle of still water.
00 Bottle of alcoholic drink.
00 Bottle of juice.
00 Fruit.
00 Chocolates.
00 Thank you card/
00 birthday anniversary card

Toiletries
00 Plastic jug and lidded container or emergency potty or Campervan toilet.
00 Tissues,
00 Toilet paper and
00 wet wipes.
00 Hand gel.

Destination Toiletries
00 Washbag with
00 flannel and
00 small towel.

Sports equipment
00 Swimsuit.
00 Swimhat.
00 Plastic shoes.
00 Small towel.

Gym/running kit
00 shoes/trainers
00 socks
00 shorts
00 tank top
00 gym towel

Stationery
00 Diary
00 Notebook
00 Pen
Conference agenda
00 business cards and box
00 books to sell
00 Leaflets or brochures.
00 address Book for new contacts.
00 Stationery set: -
00 ruler,
00 hole punch,
00 stapler,
00 sellotape,
00 eraser,
00 pen,
00 pencil.
00 card index cards
00 treasure tags/ribbon
00 Notes for your speech/address
00 Books to read
00 Magazines to read
00 File or folder for conference papers
00 2nd folder for destination papers marked with name of city

Arts and Crafts
00 Sewing kit.
00 Sketchpad and colours or paints and brushes.

Contacts
00 Names, titles and phone numbers of colleagues you hope to meet.
Recent activities and awards of VIP speakers you might meet.

00 Pack pills and
00 medications.
00 Perfume/deodorant.
00 Plugs.

Last check Before leaving home
00 give family your address and
00 water plants.

Wear
00 necklace,
00 bracelet and
00 one adjustable size ring - no more to guard against loss.

If walking take
00 walking shoes and
00 binoculars.

Also any cards you might need:
00 Credit cards; pin numbers.
Loyalty cards:
00 Tesco
00 Waitrose
00 Starbucks
00 Costa.
Entry cards e.g.
00 National Trust.

Researching/ordering/booking
00 Cancel or order weekend newspaper.
00 Check the hotel website and Tripadvisor on choice of rooms.
00 cost of WIFI
00 cost of parking
00 book optional tours.

00 Rehearse your one minute self-introduction elevator speech.
e.g. My name is Angela Lansbury. I'm the author of two books on quotations. I'm looking for tips on how to give a prize-winning international speech.