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July 8, 1998The following guide to business etiquette in Asia was prepared by staff of Asia Pulse Pte Ltd, a joint venture company of Asia's most influential news and information groups.
Journalists and analysts work in their country of birth gathering, collecting and writing for Asia Pulse's real-time commercial intelligence service. They are ideally placed to know the subtle business dance movements required. Asia is often referred to as one homogenous area. However, each country is distinctly different. Protocols which work in Korea will not necessarily apply to Indonesia.
The guide is by no means exhaustive. It provides tips to avoid major embarrassment for the unwary business traveller. Probably the best advice is to be sensitive to the local culture, defer to your hosts and be polite.
We trust that you find this guide useful and entertaining. We will be updating it with more detail. Please feel free to contact us with comments:
Chris Pash
CEO
Asia Pulse Pte Ltd
Level 7, The AAP Centre
9 Lang Street
Sydney NSW 2000
AUSTRALIAPhone: (612) 9322 8636
Fax: (612) 9322 8639
Email: apulse@ozemail.net.au
http://www.asiapulse.com
Asia Pulse has prepared this overview of business etiquette in Asia on material obtained from sources which it believes are reliable. Asia Pulse gives no warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy of the information contained in this overview and accepts no responsibility for any loss, inconvenience or injury sustained by any person using this overview.
Background
The Singapore-registered joint venture company, Asia Pulse Pte Ltd, was formed in January 1996 to build a real-time wire about business and
business opportunities in Asia. Dedicated staff journalists and analysts each day deliver up to 250 items, and more than 80,000 words, of news, projects/tenders, commentary, industry profiles and company announcements.
Owners: Yonhap News Agency (Korea), Nihon Keizai Shimbun Inc (Japan), The Press Trust of India Ltd (India), LKBN ANTARA (Indonesia), AAP Information Services Pty Ltd (Australia). Associates include Malaysia's Bernama, the Philippines News Agency, Xinhua News Agency of China and the Vietnam News Agency.
Asia Pulse covers 50 industries in more than 20 countries. Topics include Infrastructure, Tenders/Projects, Energy, Mining, Transport, Housing, Automotive, Aviation, Education, Telecommunications, Port Development, Sewerage, Water.
THANK YOU
This guide was made possible through the work and local expertise of Asia Pulse joint venture staff at regional centres in Asia. Thank you also to Asia Pulse Production Center Editor Clive Gulliver and to journalist John Sneddon for compiling the guide.
* In the People's Republic of China (PRC), don't write notes using red ink. This
suggests that the writer will die soon. Avoid using the number four at all costs because
this, too, signifies death.
* In Malaysia, many leading businessmen have been conferred with a titled name. Care must be taken that they're addressed properly.
* In South Korea, don't fondle or scribble on your host's business card. He or she might
be offended.
* In India, the significance of a business arrangement is often determined by the amount of time spent in negotiations.
* In Indonesia, never touch a person's head, or point with your forefinger, as this is considered impolite.
* In Thailand, it is considered offensive to show the sole of the shoe or foot to another. It is therefore necessary to take care when crossing your legs.
* In Japan, never expect a junior person to make an on-the-spot decision. Hierarchies must be respected and important decisions are usually made by senior executives.
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July 8, 1998