BASIC ETIQUETTE | Have fun reading

Cultures – Various Countries

--> Bangladesh

• The "thumbs up" gesture is considered obscene
• No money as gifts (unlike in Japan)
  

--> Malaysia

• Pointing index finger is impolite but use thumb to point
  

--> Japan

• Visiting cards should be given and accepted with both hands
• If using a toothpick, cover the mouth with the other hand.
  

--> Thailand

• Touching someone's head, even accidentally, requires an apology
• King has high regard. Money or stamp dropped accidentally is picked up and reverently brushed
  

--> Vietnam

• It is common to be asked how much one earns

--> Czech Republic

• It is impolite to talk about a salary during a conversation, even with your close friends.
• If a man is traveling with a woman to a restaurant, he must enter first and leave last.
  

--> Hungary

• Throwing food away is considered rude. If not hungry he should offer it to others
• Flashing car's headlights means, contrary to many other European countries, "I let you go ahead"
  

Basic – etiquette

• Say 'please' to request, 'thanks' after receiving and 'you're welcome' when thanked
• No name calling. Even if it's for fun
• Greet everyone whenever you meet
• Open doors for others and let elders to go first. Don't let the door slam.
• Respect differences - when people do things differently
• Close the mouth and turn away from people to cough or sneeze
• When offered lift in a car sit in front if empty

Dining etiquette

• Don't stuff your mouth full of food
• Chew with your mouth closed
• Don't reach over someone's plate for something
• Don't speak with food in your mouth
• Do not pick anything out of your teeth
• In buffet style, wait in the queue and don't fill the plate
  

Phone etiquette - Telephone

• Always respond with a hello or your name
• If a wrong number be polite in saying so
• Hang up the phone after agreement
  

Mobile phone

• Use vibrator mode when it is on you
• Never pickup a call during a meeting
• While speaking mind your surrounding
• Avoid long calls while in office
  

Letter / IOM etiquette

• Start a letter with a greeting (Wish you, Thank you)
• Start an IOM directly with business
• Try and use abbreviation to names in IOM
• Always use short and direct sentences.
• While explaining a problem use bullet points
• End a formal social note as, "Sincerely"
• "Faithfully" is for a man to a woman, or any uncommercial correspondence
• "Affectionately", "Lovingly," are in intimacy
  

E-mail etiquette

Greetings are acceptable

• Do not type in all caps
• Do not leave the Subject: field blank
• Do not use colored text and background colors
• When it is necessary to send a group mail use bcc
• Don't forward unimportant emails without their permission
• If you receive a nasty email - do not respond immediately
• Always minimize or "zip" large files before sending
• Reply to the mails immediately
• For actions to be taken use a separate folder
• Do not reply to junk or just don't open

More to follow ...... SG.