摘 要

俗话说：“没有规矩，不成方圆”。礼仪是人际交往中的行为规范，是人际交往中的基本准则。当今外贸生意日益增多，国内外的商务往来也日趋上升，因此商务接待人员需要从跨文化的角度了解不同的文化差异和文化禁忌以避免一些误解。本文主要从跨文化的角度的来论述商务礼仪的三个方面。着装礼仪是商务接待的通行证，因为良好的第一印象也是商务接待成功的第一步。餐桌礼仪是商务接待的催化剂，因为商务宴请是增近双方友谊的关键环节。避免禁忌是商务接待的润滑剂，因为各国文化和风俗的差异，熟知各国禁忌必不可少的。

关键词：商务接待礼仪；着装礼仪；餐桌礼仪；语言禁忌；饮食禁忌；赠礼禁忌

Contents

1. Introduction 1
2. Demonstration 2
   1. Dressing codes 2
      1. Dressing codes for men 2
      2. Dressing codes for women 4
   2. Table manners 5
      1. Chinese table manners 5
      2. Western table manners 7
   3. Taboos 8
      1. Language taboos 9
      2. Food taboos 10
      3. Gift taboos 11
3. Conclusion 13

Works Cited 14

Bibliography 15

An Intercultural Study on Business Reception Etiquette

Introduction

Confucius said that “ If people do not learn etiquette, they will not stand in the society ”(Wang 288). From the point of view of personal self-cultivation, etiquette is a performance of individual’s inner and external self-cultivation. From the point of view of social intercourse, etiquette is an art tool of communication. From the point of view of inheritance, etiquette is a communication skill of interpersonal interaction. In today’s economic globalization environment, with the increasing number of domestic and foreign business cooperation and exchanges, receptionists should learn business etiquette before receiving foreigners. Business reception etiquette includes dressing codes, table manners, language taboos, food taboos, gifts taboos and so on. Appropriate business reception etiquette can create a good cooperative atmosphere. Nevertheless, inappropriate business reception etiquette may lead to a failed ending. So it is vital for receptionists to be familiar with different cultures, traditions and taboos and so on before the international business reception.

This paper mainly explores three parts of business reception etiquette from an

intercultural perspective. The first part is introduction. This part mainly introduces the concepts of etiquette and business etiquette and domestic and foreign business conditions. The second part includes three aspects of business reception etiquette. Firstly, dressing codes include dressing codes for men and women. As people all know, a good impression is the beginning of successful business. When receptionists receive foreigners, they should know different cultures and taboos in advance and wear clothes what foreigners can accept. Secondly, table manners include Chinese table manners and Western table manners. Because of different cultures and beliefs, Chinese table manners are different from Western table manners, so receptionists should know table manners different countries in advance in order to avoid misunderstandings. Thirdly, taboos include language taboos, food taboos and gift taboos. Different countries have different traditions and religious beliefs, so it is necessary to learn taboos of different countries before the international business reception. The third part is conclusion. This part mainly concludes the effects of international business reception etiquette.

Demonstration

• 1. Dressing codes

Dressing codes are a basic requirement of business reception. Clothing is usually chosen according to the occasion and their own needs by receptionists. “TOP” is recognized as dressing codes standard which includes time, occasion and place (Wang and Zhang 253). Receptionists should choose clothes which matches with time, occasion and place. So it is indispensable for receptionists to pay attention to different occasions and cultures to choose appropriate dressing codes.

• • 1. Dressing codes for men

Receptionists will receive foreigners who have different cultures, traditions and religious beliefs, so appropriate dressing codes for men which include hair styling, facial modification, suits, shirts, ties, socks and leather shoes are important.

Dressing codes for men can be divided into three parts. Firstly, hair styling is a premise of dressing codes. Many foreigners care about hair styling, so receptionists should pay attention to it. It is necessary to notice that in front of the men’ s hair should not cover their eyebrows, and two sides of the hair should not cover their ears and not stay too thick and long sideburns, and the length of the back of hair should not be longer than the upper part of the collar of their shirts.

Secondly, facial modification represents men’ s image. In the Western countries, foreigners pay attention to facial modification. So men should shave clearly in order to keep their face clean which makes a fresh impression. And also, men should keep their breath fresh or use light perfume in that most men will smoke or drink during the business activities. Receptionists should also notice the different requirements of the usages of perfume because of different cultures and traditions.

Thirdly, many foreigners care about dressing codes collocations which include suits, shirts, ties, socks and leather shoes. So men should pay attention to dressing codes. The suits ‘s color should mainly be deep color and its style should be mature. From picture [1], we can see, before business people wear the suits, it should be ironed flat

and put few things. It is improper to wear suits which match with a bulky turtleneck,