Why do some gatherings take off and others don't? Author Priya Parker shares three easy steps to turn your parties, dinners, meetings and holidays into meaningful, transformative gatherings.

Can't remember where your soup spoon ought to go? What about your salad fork? Knowing how to set a traditional table can seem like antiquated etiquette -- but it can come in handy! Anna Post, great-great-granddaughter of etiquette expert...

Minimize misunderstandings and missteps when doing business in China! Cultural awareness makes communications more effective and helps you utilize appropriate business etiquette. Get essential tips on greeting others, making...

Indonesians commonly eat rice at every meal with a variety of side dishes of meat, fish, and vegetables. Energy is expensive, and foods are often quick-fried or sautéed. Even with the fertility of Indonesian lands and a long growing...

German manners are usually very formal, especially when people are meeting for the first time. Consequently, introductions in both business and social settings follow strict norms. Learn more about German preferences for etiquette in...

Germans love to shake hands. Certainly a social or business meeting is cause for a round of firm handshaking. You’ll be expected to shake hands with everyone. The handshake is so important that even when someone leaves during a business...

Proper business attire is good business in France. The dress code remains formal in most sectors—and there’s no such thing as casual Friday. In fashionable France, tasteful, quality clothing is a must. Review what's appropriate for women...

In France, it's considered inexcusable to be bored—and it’s even worse to be boring. Learn more about cultural do’s and don’ts and making a good local impression. The French take pride in their nation’s intellectual history and enjoy...

It’s probably no surprise that food is a valued part of French culture. Learn more about common French dining habits and preferences for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Review detailed appropriate dining practices and table etiquette so...

Chinese culture has been heavily influenced by the teachings of Confucius (Kongzi), a Chinese philosopher from ancient times. Confucianism emphasizes unity, circularity, harmony, and reciprocity. You’ll see these four concepts reflected...

The Chinese have a saying that “food is the first necessity of the people.” Reflecting this vital role, great thought and care go into its preparation. The Chinese use a blend of ingredients—with contrasting flavors, colors, and...

Officially, China is an atheist society, although freedom of worship is guaranteed under the Chinese constitution. Religious beliefs vary widely, which isn’t surprising in a country with 56 officially recognized national minorities....

Punktlichkeit! Be on time! Being fashionably late is not appreciated in Germany. Business meetings start right on time and may be cancelled if you’re late by more than fifteen minutes. If you’re running behind, by all means, call ahead....

South Africans tend to be rather formal when you first meet them. But as long as you stick to the norms of behavior accepted in most places, interacting and living with them should be relatively easy. Cultural norms differ from one...

Companies entering the country for the first time or those trying to expand their contacts are likely to find managers in South African companies receptive to meeting. South Africans tend to be formal at first in their meeting etiquette....

It’s vital to note that Mexicans value polite formality in business interactions. Learn more about the importance of using titles and polite greetings in Mexico. Wondering how to use titles appropriately when addressing colleagues? Brush...

Although gifts are not necessarily required for social or business occasions in Mexico, your colleagues will appreciate a tasteful, elegant gesture. There’s no need to be intimidated by this custom—learn more about suitable items,...

The Japanese use chopsticks for all varieties of Japanese food, although some restaurants that are used to tourists can provide knives and forks. Learn why you should never leave your chopsticks standing upright in your rice and other...

Explore cultural tips and etiquette for visiting people’s homes, especially when it comes to shedding your shoes and wearing guest slippers. Learn more about local practices for house slippers, toilet slippers, and even garden slippers....

Depending on what country you call home, Japanese cooking and food preparation may be very different from what you are used to. Food in Japan ranges from traditional Japanese dishes to a wide range of foreign cuisines from around the...

As in many countries, gift-giving is an extremely important aspect of Japanese business culture. Gifts are exchanged on occasion at a first meeting and are more common for subsequent meetings. While gifts are not expected, they are...

Business cards, called meishi, are very important in Japan, and the presentation is traditionally very ceremonial. At one time, people used both hands to give and receive cards. Nowadays, it’s more common to use one hand only. When...

Gift-giving is a key cultural tradition in all aspects of Japanese life. Accordingly, it is taken very seriously in Japan, and much care goes into choosing an appropriate gift—whether it’s for a first meeting, the close of a business...

In addition to bowing, the Japanese express respect by adding the suffix san to the end of another person's family name. This is similar to the English use of the titles Mr. and Mrs. Take care never to use san with your own name! The use...