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Non-traditional student
Completed undergraduate B.A. in general education from Western Illinois University
Completed MS in accounting from Wichita State University
2 small children while going to school
Some experience in public accounting
Worked for 20 years as an information systems consultant; hence the CITP
Other experience included controller/systems manager for City of Marco Island
Finally, ended up at the KSCPA as the President/CEO and love it!
Just goes to show there are many opportunities for CPAs – so go for it!
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This is a unique presentation for me … what we lovingly refer to as a “soft” topic.
But it is also an important topic – we are becoming more international and the
global marketplace is booming.
CPAs are becoming world travelers, and so I had an opportunity to find out about
some faux pas that a few of my colleagues experienced:
When you have to punt – didn’t know he had to do a speech.
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Of course, it’s French – protocol is important in France!
In the French royal courts of the 17th century, there was a strict guide to social and
business behavior.
George Washington, the great military leader and first president of the US,
transcribed “rules on civility.” There are 110 rules and were transcribed by
Washington before he was 16. Washington was born in 1732.
Number 5: “If you cough, sneeze, sigh, or yawn, do it not loud but privately; and
speak not in your yawning, but put your handkerchief or hand before your face and
turn aside.”
Have you heard of Emily Post or Amy Vanderbilt? Emily post wrote the book on
Etiquette, spoke on radio programs and wrote a column of good taste. In the US, her
name is synonymous with proper etiquette and manners and the Institute she
founded continues her work. Amy Vanderbilt was also an American authority on
etiquette and wrote a book that is still in circulation today.
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Well, if etiquette was first defined in France, does it continue today? Why, yes! And,
what we know now that culture plays an important role in etiquette, France being no
different.
Dress conservatively, and if you don’t speak French, apologize. You’ll be sorry if you
don’t because the French have a way of making Americans feel very uncomfortable
when they act “American.”
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It’s ok if you’re late in France, and meals aren’t rushed. I went to a birthday party –
and what a party… it went on for hours with multiple courses and was much fun!
Back to shaking hands – always do this in France, but you don’t have to linger. Make
sure you have good eye contact – including when you toast.
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There are some basic things you need to know when you do business internationally
– greeting, business cards, and gender etiquette.
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The handshake – universal. Make sure you know what type of handshake is best –
strong, limp, both hands – or not appropriate at all. Perhaps, as it is in Arab countries
– you may greet with a kiss to both cheeks. In the US, it seems like anything goes,
except for the limp handshake.
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Business cards – I’ve made the mistake of referring to business cards as calling cards –
must be my 17th century background!
That’s where they began, and is the oldest form of business etiquette following the
handshake.
In the 19th century, and even today, when visiting someone for an appointment, the
business card is often presented to a receptionist who contacts the person you are
visiting. In the past, the card was reviewed and the party could accept or reject the
visit.
When traveling internationally, make sure to have business cards translated into the
language of the country you are visiting on one side and in English on the other. Make
sure your title is understandable in the country you are visiting – if not, alter it. I have
such a card from a professor from The Netherlands when he visited the University of
Kansas and came to dinner at our home.
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Historically, we know the meaning of etiquette.
What about in today’s world with the growing global marketplace?
No flipping the bird ….
Respect is huge in China where they speak softly, look at a person and make eye contact, and
let the other person finish thought before speaking. Interruption would show a lack of
respect. Introductions are made by age or position and, in fact, in China, it is good to be
older. A young person will give up seat to the older person, and it’s Ok to ask age. It’s Ok to
help a woman with chair at dinner.
There is protocol in China, but there are different customs in different parts of China, as
there are regional customs in the U.S. To show more respect use 2 hands when you give and
receive a card or a gift. It wouldn’t be rude to not use two hands, but it is a sign of respect.
Chinese students don’t talk back or argue – they are non confrontational because this would
not be respectful.
In China, in working with the older generation – no hoop earrings or dark nail polish, no
tatoos or piercing. Smoking is common in China and you can smoke anywhere. You’ll want to
talk about family or friendships first before doing business.
In the U.S., professionals are treated equally and they come and go as they want. In China,
employees don’t leave until the boss leaves and, in fact, they sometimes pretend to be
working. Although, employers frown on employees doing personal things during work time.
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OBSERVE: Behavior, habits, values, rules, attitudes, and knowledge that people in a
community share.
CONNECT: Language and context. Customer’s voice and experience – specification
units, regulatory interfaces, operational experience, and critical-to-success factors.
Even in the US there are regional and local differences. Just look at PA vs. SC where in
PA the most deadly war in US history is called the civil ware and in SC, it is the ware of
northern aggression. In PA the population is primarily Catholic and in SC, they are
Baptist.
We need to appreciate and respect each other – Appreciate cultural diversity which
requires good intercultural communications.
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Before visiting any country, especially on the all important business trips, or as part of
an international team, make sure you know these basic items.
If you work with teams in other countries, make sure you know the basic items of the
other country because what you think you are communicating (especially when it is
virtual), may be interpreted differently. Yes may mean maybe or even no.
There is a wealth of information on the internet – videos, websites, and even apps on
your smart phone that can help you navigate international etiquette.
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Find out about the country – the population, cultural heritage, language, and religion. Know the correct name of
the country; e.g. Mexico is officially the United Mexican States. Know the form of government; e.g. parliamentary
democracy, and what it means. A country can call itself republic and still be a dictatorship. The nation’s capital.
Names of the ruler or top govt official. President is generally not as important as the prime minister in most
countries. Do not make assumptions about religion. Know the national holidays including religious holidays. Know
what dietary laws are observed (e.g., not eating pork), know the leading industries and agricultural products.
Know the prominent geographic features and the cultural landmarks: museums, temples, mosque, cathedrals,
seats of learning. Know the great men and women: Nobel prize winners, famous musicians, writers, artists, and
athletes. What is the country’s most popular sport?
Find out some unique things about the country and learn some of the most common phrases. Learn how your
hosts visit and entertain others, the social taboos; e.g. it’s bad manners to eat while walking down the street in
Quebec and do not chew gum in public in France. (Adele on the Grammys) In Germany, you want to include your
higher university degrees and professional honors on your business card and keep the pleasantries to a minimum.
Learn dinner-table manners – in Germany, place your knife and fork vertically on your plate when you are finished
eating and insist on paying the bill only when you have issued the invitation.
Religion – is their religious diversity and what is it? When I grew up, I was always told – “Never discuss religion or
politics,” and it may be wise to do the same when you travel for business and add sex to that. I also suggest that
you watch what you tweet and what you say in e-mails. If you make the wrong statement and offend someone
you are trying to do business with, it could come back to haunt you, or, even worse, land in jail.
Appearance – This includes dress, clothing, body language, and Gestures.
Behavior – What are the do’s and don’ts involving dining, gifts, meetings, and general behavioral guidelines? How
is business done in the other country? In the office, over dinner, at home? Do you bring a gift, and how is the gift
presented. Who pays for the dinner? Do you tip? How do you greet and say goodbye? How do you show
gratitude?
Communication – again, greetings, introductions, and conversational guidelines. Is business done verbally or
through e-mail or other written communication or both?
Resources – Again, be prepared, and gather the resources you’ll need to navigate through your journey with
proper etiquette.
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We talked a bit about China in relation to the definition of etiquette, now let’s compare and contrast different cultures just to show you how important it is to do your homework before you plan to do business in another country.
Great Britain may be one of the easiest countries to find out about, but it’s a little more complicated than you might think. For a small geographic area, the United Kingdom has managed to become very pervasive throughout the world. The Royal family is
held in high regard, and if you every visit Parliament, you find out that there is the “House of Lords” and the “House of Commons.” The Queen commands the “House of Lords” which really has no power in running the country; the House of Commons is the
legislative body of England.
Religion – The UK is primarily Christian with a stronger belief in individuality and individual rights being paramount with the society – freedom of speech is prevalent and individuals in these countries tend to form a larger number of looser relationships.
In Saudi Arabia, the prominent religion, in fact, close to 100%, is Muslim. The US is primarily Christian, although it is much more diverse, so it would be important to learn about the Muslim faith before visiting a country that is primarily Muslim.
For example, ISLAMIC GREETINGS
When Muslims greet each other, instead of saying, “good morning” or “hello” they say “Assalamo Alaikum,” which means “May peace be upon you and may God's blessings be with you.” This greeting makes a Muslim
aware that he has to spread love and peace wherever he goes.
Appearance – U.K. Business attire rules are somewhat relaxed, but conservative dress is still very important for both men and women. Dark suits, usually black, blue, or gray are acceptable. Men’s shirts should not have pockets and if they do, the pockets
should always be kept empty. Men should wear solid or patterned ties, while avoiding striped ties. Men wear laced shoes and not loafers. Businesswomen are not as limited to colors and styles as men are, though it is important to maintain a conservative
image.
In Saudi Arabia:
Never show bare shoulders, stomach, calves and thighs.
Visitors are expected to abide by local standards of modesty, however, do not adopt native clothing. This may be offensive.
Despite the heat, most of the body must always remain covered.
Men – a jacket and tie are usually required for men at business meetings. Mean wear long pants and a shirt, preferably long sleeved, buttoned up to the color. Men should avoid wearing visible jewelry.
Women – always wear modest clothing in public. High necklines and sleeves at least to the elbows are expected. Hemlines, if not ankle-length, should at least be well below the knee. A look of baggy concealment should be the goal, pants or pant suits are
not recommended. Keep a scarf handy, especially if entering a Mosque.
Behavior –
U.K. Always be punctual – arrive a few minutes early.
Don’t rush the English into making a decision.
Simple handshake is the standard greeting for business and visiting a home.
Privacy is very important. Avoid asking personal questions or intensely staring at another person.
Eye contact is seldom kept during British conversations.
To signal that something is to be kept confidential, tap your nose.
Personal space is important in England, and one should maintain a wide physical space when conversing. It is considered inappropriate to touch others in public.
“Never touch the Queen” – different with the Egyptian culture.
Gifts are generally not part of doing business in England.
Business lunch is often conducted in a pub and consists of a light meal and perhaps a pint of ale.
When socializing after work hours, do not bring up the subject of work.
When dining out, it is not considered polite to toast those who are older than yourself.
In Saudi Arabia:
It is common to remove your shoes before entering a building. Follow the lead of your host.
Alcohol and pork are illegal.
In the Muslim world, Friday is the day of rest.
There are several styles of greetings used; it is best to wait for your counterpart to initiate the greeting. Men shake hands with other men. Some men will shake hands with a woman; it is advisable for a business woman to wait for a man to offer his hand. A
more traditional greeting between men involves grasping each other’s right hand, placing the left hand on the other’s right shoulder and exchanging kisses on each cheek.
The left hand is considered unclean and reserved for hygiene. Do not point at another person and do not eat with the left hand.
Men walking hand in hand is a sign of friendship.
Try not to cross your legs when sitting and never show the bottom of your feet.
The “thumbs up” gesture is offensive.
Gifts are not necessary, but appreciated. Avoid admiring an item too much or your host may feel obligated to give it to you. When offered a gift, it is impolite to refuse.
Women in Saudi Arabia are not permitted to drive vehicles.
Communications
U.K. English is the official language, but it should be noted that the Queen’s English and American English are very different. The new CGMA which is a merger of the AICPA and CIMA, which is headquartered in England – the publications use the “Queen’s
English.”
Often times ordinary vocabulary can differ between the two countries.
Loud talking and disruptive behavior should be avoided.
One gesture to avoid is the V for victory sign, done with the palm facing yourself. This is a very offensive gesture.
If a man has been knighted, he is addressed as “sir and his first name” example: Sir Paul. If writing a letter, the envelope is address “Sir Paul McCartney”
Saudi Arabia:
Do not discuss the subject of women, not even to inquire about the health of a wife or daughter. The topic of Israel should also be avoided. Sports is an appropriate topic.
Names are often confusing. It’s best to get the names (in English) of those you will meet, speak to, or correspond with before hand. Find out both their full names and how they are to be addressed in person.
Communications occur at a slow pace. Do not feel obligated to speak during periods of silence. "Yes" usually means "possibly".
Your Saudi host may interrupt your meeting or conversation, leave the room and be gone for 15 to 20 minutes for the purpose of his daily prayers.
At a meeting, the person who asks the most questions is likely to be the least important. The decision maker is likely a silent observer.
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TIPPING – in the US, tipping is customary, and, in fact, mandatory. In other countries, tipping
is not done, including the U.K. and Saudi Arabia.
CHECK THE CALENDAR – Make sure there are not any holidays during the time of your
meeting t the destination you are considering (e.g. fourth of July and Dominion Day)
PRIVACY – Watch what you tweet, watch what information you collect – Google has to take
off license plates, etc in Europe. Make sure you understand the privacy laws of the other
country.
FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE LEARNING STYLE PRACTICE IN THE COUNTRY YOU VISIT –
In China, for example, participants write down everything. They want a script of every word
that is said. In Japan, if you are giving a speech and it appears as though everyone is sleeping,
it is because they are listening intently.
FOOD – Drunken Prawn Soup in Japan or needing to try all the products of a company that
sells alcohol products. Fish soup in Spain. Sometimes etiquette has to be forgone.
LEAVE ATTITUDE AT HOME – Americans sometimes assume superior attitudes when
interacting with foreign cultures. Ditch this stance quickly or be ignored or met with
disapproval. Also, blend in. Americans tend to dress differently speak loudly and have distinct
accents. Try not to stand out more than you already will. In Saudi Arabia, don’t talk about
religion and don’t push beliefs on them and don’t use the smart phone in a meeting.
LEARN KEY PHRASES – It’s always a smart move to learn several key phrases in the language
of the country you’ll visit. It’s a nice way to bridge the gap between cultures – and natives will
appreciate the attempt.
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Need I say more?
Some other faux pas are pointing the bottom of your foot at the other party. For
Muslims and Budists and in several African countries, this is tantamount to cursing
someone. Americans don’t see this as a big deal.
Remember culture is personal and local. A two-handed handshake in Saudi Arabia
would be nauseating because you are touching with the hygiene hand.
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Using slang shows cultural insensitivity.
Europeans hate the word “ain’t” – it is very offensive and you “ain’t” going to get the
deal.
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Do you hide or sit behind your computer screen? Are you sharing information that
you might not otherwise share if you were standing face to face with someone?
Technology is definitely good, but we also become disconnected which is where
people sometimes make that social faux pas with sharing just a little too much
information.
At meetings, make sure you know whether the rules are no texting, no computers,
laptops, etc. If you don’t follow the rules, you may find your job or business in
another country at risk.
As a society, we may not have quite figured out what the rules are, what’s acceptable,
not acceptable, and there’s been a blurring of public and private.
Before you plunge into using social media at work or when you travel to another
country, find out the rules!
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