Business Etiquette &

Customs
Names and titles:
When addressing someone in business you should use their
professional titles (professor, doctor, engineer) and honorific titles.

Attire:
Formal and conservative,
dark suits for men and modest dresses and skirts
for women (pant suits are considered casual) as like Americans do

Meetings:
generally loosely structured and
may not stick to the planned agenda.
They are as much about building relationships

Business Etiquette &

Customs
Greetings:
usually shake hands but men should wait for women to
extend their hand first &
generally not bow as in Korea or Japan, except on very
formal occasions (receiving an award or addressing an
audience).
lower his eyes or bowing slightly as a sign of respect.
Never use your index finger to point at somebody.

Body language: offer and receive documents with your

right hand and food with both hands. Avoid showing
the soles of your feet& Do not touch another persons
shoulders and head

Communication style : indirect & appreciate sharing a deep and broad

contextual understanding such as Someone says It is cold he/she likely
means please close the window.Whereas in the USA,UK brevity is
valued, in Taiwan it may be interpreted as rudeness. They will take great
care to avoid causing offence and, if they disagree with something, they
will simply remain silent

Business cards: Should be exchanged at the beginning of a meeting. Cards

should be accepted with both hands, viewed briefly and placed on the table
in front of the recipient and not in their pocket.

Business Structures: less rigidly hierarchical than Japan and South Korea
& small to medium-sized, family controlled businesses

Business Etiquette &

Customs
Face
and Guanxi: rather than say no, they might say Ill try. This
allows both the person making the request and the person turning it down to
save face and maintain harmony in the relationship.

Gender equality: Taiwan is a traditionally male-dominated society and

women have a diminished role in business. Nonetheless, foreign business
women are treated with respect.
Gifts: Gift giving is an essential relationship-building tool. A simple gift for
all members involved in a meeting is appropriate. A slightly better gift may
be presented to the most important member of a party. It is customary to
open a gift in private.
Dinner: Mainly using chopsticks