去美国出差的19个注意事项

2008-03-11 13:22 到美国出差的“一般性文化注意事项”有6点：

（1）Be sensitive to where you can and cannot smoke. Many businesses, restaurants, and public areas are becoming smoke free（留心在哪里可以吸烟哪里不可以吸烟。许多商店、餐馆和公共场所禁烟）.

（2）A short, informal thank you note is the most appropriate way to show your gratitude for an invitation to someone's home. A gift of flowers or a bottle of wine when visiting will be appreciated, but not expected（收到到主人家做客的邀请，最好写一个简短和非正式的便条表示感谢。做客时可以带上类似鲜花、葡萄酒的礼物，主人会很高兴，但礼物不是必不可少的）.

（3）Americans will often open gifts immediately upon receipt（美国人收到礼物后一般会立刻打开）.

（4）You are not obliged to accept food or drinks offered at social gatherings - the host will not usually urge you to eat. You are expected to help yourself to however much you would like（在社交场合吃东西、喝饮料可以随意，主人一般不会主动建议，你可以按照自己的需要自取适量食物、饮料）.

（5）People often exchange compliments, and often use this as a way to start conversations（人们在交往中往往以互相恭维作为谈话的开始）.

（6）Americans often give and receive items using only one hand（美国人递东西、接受东西习惯用一只手）.

（7）Two gestures are commonly used to show approval. The "O.K." sign is a circle made with the thumb and index finger, with the other 3 fingers facing upwards. The "thumbs up" sign is a fist with the thumb pointing  upward（美国人习惯用两种手势表示赞同：一是用拇指和食指做圆圈示意OK；握拳向前伸出大拇指表示thumb up）.

（8）People form lines pay for items in stores, buy theatre tickets, enter clubs and board public transportation. Even if the line is informal, or if no line is made, people rely on a "first come, first served" mindset. Do not jump or push ahead in line（在商店买东西、剧场买票、进入会所、乘坐公共交通都需要排队。即使队伍是非正式的，或者根本没有排队，人们依然遵循先来后到的次序。不要加赛或者拥挤）.
 
“商务文化注意事项”有11点：

（1）Americans shake hands during business introductions（商务交往初次见面美国人一般用握手致意）.

（2）Business cards are not always exchanged immediately upon meeting. They are usually exchanged if future contact is indicated（不一定在会面开始交换名片，一般在确认需要继续联系的情况下才交换名片）.

（3）Punctuality is important（守时很重要）.

（4）Expect traffic delays in large cities and surrounding suburbs, especially in the 'rush hours' between 0700 and 0900 and 1600 to 1900. As these hours may vary by city, feel free to ask your American business partners about the typical commuter traffic（在大城市及其郊区交通拥堵，尤其是早7时到9时、下午4时到7时的“尖峰时刻”。各个城市的具体尖峰时刻有所不同，请注意向当地美国人征询）.

（5）Business meetings over lunch are commonplace（借午餐进行商业会议很常见）.

（6）Breakfast meetings can start as early as 7 AM（早餐会议7点就可能开始）.

（7）When meeting for the first time, address the person by relevant title (i.e. Mr., Ms., Mrs. or Dr.) followed by their surname. Many Americans will invite you to call them by their first names after your initial introduction（与美国人第一次见面，以先生、小姐、女士或者博士称呼对方的姓氏。许多美国人在第一次见面后就会建议你直呼其名）.

（8）Business gifts are discouraged by the law. Small gifts for business associates are acceptable around the holiday season (November through January)（按美国的规矩不兴赠送商务礼品。在11月至1月份的假日期间送小礼品可以接受）.

（9）Negotiations and business in general is done rather quickly as compared to the pace in other countries（与其他国家相比，谈判和生意一般在较短的时间内完成）.

（10）Small talk may occur prior to business discussions, but is often limited（在正式谈判前，双方往往进行说small talks进行寒暄，但话题有限）.

（11）Sitting with legs crossed, knee over knee, is not considered rude. It is common and professionally acceptable（谈话间双腿交叉、翘腿很常见，可以接受，不属于失礼行为）.