Global Ambassador Program - Discussion Etiquette
| Appointments (punctuality or not?) | Body Language (distances between people) | Body Language (Eye contact) | Shake Hands (Firmly/Softly; long or brief) | Hand-shakes, Hugs, Kisses or Bows | Attires (F: formal; I: informal or T: Traditional) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| America | Yes | Needs space | Yes | Firmly and briefly | Hand-shakes are common | Depends (Business - F; Daily - I) |
| Bhutan | Depends | Closer than the West | Not as much | Firmly and briefly | Hand-shakes and hugs are common | Depends (Business - F; Casual - I; Festivals - T) |
| China | Yes | Closer than the West | Some, but not too much | Softly / longer | Hand-shakes; no pointing fingers | Business (F); Casual (I) |
| Germany | Yes for all situations | Needs space | Yes | Firmly and briefly | Hand-shakes are common | Generally formal for all situations |
| Ghana | Depends (business/yes; casual/no) | Depends (family/closer; business/no) | Not too much | Firmly & a little longer | Hand-shakes/hugs are common | F |
| Grenada | Never early. "Grenadian time"; punctuality can be important | Not as important | Yes, eye contact shows confidence | No kisses. Never hug man-to-man | Common; may bow in the Catholic Church | Depends; formal for church; traditional for Emancipation |
| India | Yes | A little bit distance; not too much | Lots of eye contact | Business/firm; casual/soft; no left hand used | Hand-shakes | Depends - business (F); non-business (I) |
| Indonesia | Half an hour or an hour late is common | Depends - family/close; business/distant | Not too much/talking side-by-side is common | Nodding heads or hand-shakes if you want to start conversation; no left hand used | Do not hug opposite sex; do not use left hand to point or signal | Typically Casual; Muslim community women cover up |
| Iran | Yes (Business); Half an hour or more late (Casual) | A little bit distance; closer for same sexes | Not too much | Depends on genders; do not initiate hand-shakes with female; no left hand used | Softly/briefly (female); firm/long (male); hugs/kiss cheeks with family and same-sex friends | Business (F); Casual (I) |
| Italy | Yes | Needs Space | Yes | Firmly and briefly | Kisses are common; some handshakes | More formal attire |
| Japan | Yes for business; 5-10 minutes late for casual gatherings | Needs space | Not as much | Either way is all right | Hand-shakes, bows (to show humility) | Depends (Business - F; Casual - I) |
| Korea | Yes | Closer than the West | Some, but not too much | Softly / longer | Hand-shakes; bowing to older generation | Depends - Older generation (F); Same generation (I) |
| Malaysia | Half an hour or an hour late is common | Same sex can be closer | Not too much | Softly / longer; no left hand used | Friends and relatives kiss/no hugs | Business (F); Special occasions (T); Casual (I) |
| Mexico | Can be late for up to an hour | Closer than the West | Lots of eye contact | Firm with man; softly with woman | Hugs and kisses are common | Business (F); Special occasions (T); Casual (I) |
| Mongolia | Depends (business - very early; casual - late) | Needs space | Not as much | Softly and longer | Hand-shakes are common | Depends (Business - F; Casual - I; Festivals - T) |
| Nepal | Depends | Closer than the West | Not as much | Firmly and briefly | Hand-shakes and hugs are common | Depends (Business - F; Casual - I; Festivals - T) |
| Nigeria | Depends (Business - very early; casual - quite late) | Closer than the West | Yes | Firmly and briefly | Hand-shakes and hugs are common for meeting new people | Depends (Business - F; Casual - I&T) |
| Peru | Can be late for up to an hour | Closer than the West | Yes, but no eye contact with people of authority | Firm with man; softly with woman | Hugs and kisses are common | Business (F); Special occasions (T); Casual (I) |
| Saudi Arabia | Depends; Yes, for business | A little distance; space is gender-sensitive | Yes | Handshakes men-to-men | Men-to-men cheek "kisses". No hugs, no bows | Depends; elders or government representatives will wear traditional |
| Vietnam | Depends (business or doctors apt. - very early; casual - quite late) | Needs space | Not as much | Softly and longer | Hand-shakes are common | Depends (Business - F; Casual - I; Parties or Festivals - T |
