Do you have an upcoming business trip scheduled to a foreign country? If you’re traveling abroad for business, understanding local norms and learning appropriate behavior for specific cultural settings is absolutely essential. Without enough understanding of proper business etiquette abroad, you could risk committing cultural faux pas, embarrassing yourself or even misrepresenting your company. In order to avoid those mistakes and to make the best possible impression on your international colleagues, partners and clients, make sure to carefully review these top etiquette tips prior to your next trip abroad.

Research the Local Culture Carefully Prior to Leaving

Perhaps the best way you can avoid making serious errors while abroad is to carefully and thoroughly research the local culture before leaving home. You can surf the internet, purchase travel books or talk with others at your company who have visited your destination in the past. The more you understand about local norms before arriving, the more you can make a strong impression from the get-go.

Learn From Your Local Business Contacts and Follow Their Lead

If you’re in contact with other professionals in the area you plan to visit for your trip, try reaching out to them to see whether they have any advice for you. They could have insider tips to help you get off on the right foot! Additionally, while you’re there, follow your contacts’ lead and avoid any behavior that could make you stand out from the crowd in a negative way.

Practice Common Courtesy and Be on Your Best Professional Behavior

When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with common courtesy. Even if you’re not very familiar with the specific cultural norms of the location you’re in or if you simply didn’t have time to do much research before leaving, you can still leave a good impression by being on your best behavior at all times. Be as polite as possible, defer to others and remember to maintain a professional stance and tone throughout the workday. Your foreign colleagues are sure to be impressed with your total commitment to professionalism!

Even if you’re familiar with your business partners or clients from abroad, traveling to a foreign country for business can present several risks. Making embarrassing mistakes while abroad could lead to a damaged personal or corporate reputation and could even hurt your business prospects. In order to master the basics of business etiquette abroad, be sure to look over these tips before you jet off on your next foreign business trip.