Business travel etiquette: What you need to know

For North American business travellers looking to negotiate in another country, here are some pointers from experts on how to avoid a costly cultural faux paus.

Introduction rituals
When greeting others it is important to follow a country's rituals for introductions.

In China, for example, people will state the names of their companies before giving their own names, Tom Russell, publisher of Random House's Living Language Business Companion series told CNN.

"If you are asked to identify yourself, state the name of your company rather than your own name because your company often gets more respect," Russell says.

The typical North American greeting – a handshake – is by no means universal. In Japan, for instance, you are expected to bow. And in France, the air kiss is customary.

When meeting others, personal space is also a consideration. In North America, “public space” ranges from 12 – 15 feet and “social space” is between 4 – 10 feet, according to Entrepreneur.com. But in Saudi Arabia, social space is roughly the same as our intimate space, which ranges out to one foot. On the other hand, in the Netherlands, the opposite is true, with a personal space custom of 4 to 10 feet.

Experts say it is important to research any sensitive cultural differences in greeting others as well as learning some key phrases in your host country's language.

Business card etiquette
The exchange of business cards is considered important to most cultures. In fact, in many Asian countries, a business card is considered an extension of an individual and is treated with profound respect.