Doing business in today’s global economy means you’ll run into all kinds of people from faraway places and differing ethnic groups. If you frequently do business overseas there are a number of customs involving gift giving that you need to aware of. Not being aware of regional and national traditions and customs can kill a business deal quickly, as it is seen as being the height of disrespect and rudeness.

If you are meeting with people from the Middle East or a client you know to be a devout Muslim, there are several things you need to know. The Muslim religion forbids the use of alcohol, so never give a Muslim any gift or food item that contains alcohol. It’s important to remember that some perfumes and cologne contain alcohol so these are also items to be avoided. It’s also very important to know that Muslims shun any products that are made from animals that are scavengers, and this includes shellfish, birds, and pork. Thus giving someone a leather wallet or money clip made from a pig or an ostrich is a big no-no!

When doing business with Muslims that may involve exchanging gifts it’s also noteworthy that personal clothing items are to be avoided. In this culture, that is considered far too personal a gift for anyone to be giving and is considered an invasion of their space.

The most thoughtful gift that you can give a devout Muslim is the simple gift of a compass. Devout Muslims pray five times a day and must face toward the city of Mecca no matter where they are in the world. With the gift of a compass, they can easily determine which way they need to face when it is time for prayers.

Observe these rules when doing business in the Middle East and/or with devout Muslims, and avoid potentially embarrassing situations.

-Pete

If you or your company does business with other countries and cultures, it is imperative to know the traditions and etiquette of that country to avoid an embarrassing situation and jeopardize an important business relationship. The country of Japan is certainly no exception to this important rule.

In general, there are two gift giving seasons in the country of Japan, and they are called seibo and chugen. The former is the winter gift giving season, the latter is the summer gift giving season. Gifts are most often given to someone who you have a relationship with, especially anyone who may have helped the gift giver in any way.

It is also considered very impolite to call on someone at their home and not have a gift. In Japanese, this is referred to as tebura, which means empty handed. If you are calling on a business client at their home, this is very important information to be aware of. The gift is most often brought to the home in a paper bag from the shop in which you purchased the gift. Once you arrive, you should take the gift out of the bag and present it to the person with both hands. You should learn a short Japanese phrase when presenting it to show modesty and respect. One phrase that can be used is tsumaranai mono desu ga, which roughly translates to “ this is but a trifle.” However, if this is a business or any kind of professional situation that phrase should be avoided.

In a business situation it is more appropriate to use this phrase when presenting a gift. “Honno o shirushi de gozai masu ga” which roughly translates to “it only amounts to a symbol of my appreciation” is much more appropriate to use in a business setting. It implies that the giver is gracious toward the recipient and cannot fully express all of the gratitude they have. If the host offers you a gift in return, it is Japanese etiquette to refuse the first time it is offered, but you may accept it if they offer you the gift a second time.

There are also some gifts that you should avoid giving at all costs in order not to offend a person of Japanese decent. You should never give a clock as a gift or anything else that displays the numbers of 4 and 9, as these suggest death.

Another custom in Japan that would fascinate most Westerners is women giving men chocolate on Valentine’s Day. It is given by women to men that they are in a relationship with or any man that the woman is connected to a business or personal matter. Men who receive these gifts are expected to return the favor to the giver one month later on White Day.

Learning the customs of people in countries that you do business in is one of the most important things that you can do, and yet is neglected by many. Put yourself in the best possible position to succeed by learning the nuances of the countries you do business with.

-Pete