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TIPS ON BUSINESS ETIQUETTE
Keeping Appointments
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If you have to cancel an appointment,
always make sure that you do so
well in advance of the appointment giving at least 3-5 days notice where
applicable.
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Punctuality should always be a
priority. Be on time for all business-related meetings. Moreover, you
are be expected to arrive on time for a business appointment even if
your Canadian counterpart fails to do the same.
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Mornings tend to be the preferred time
for appointments. Business hours are generally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday. Longer hours, however, are common.
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If you cannot prevent being late, a
telephone call stating your expected time of arrival is appreciated.
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Business Dress
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Comfortable, tasteful clothing is the
norm.
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A conservative, well-dressed,
appearance is important. Your clothing does not necessarily have to be
brand new or “trendy.” Wearing quality clothing that is old, but
presentable, can be perfectly acceptable.
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Some professions allow for casual
dress, but it's best to err on the formal side when in doubt.
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Suits and ties are standard attire for
men.
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Business suits or dresses are often
the standard attire for women. Pantsuits, in classic styles, can also be
acceptable. Accessorizing, which adds flair to even very simple outfits,
is also a common practice.
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In rural areas and small towns,
clothing tends to be more informal, and there is not as much of an
emphasis on appearing fashionable.
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First Name or Title?
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Although you may quickly move to a
first-name basis, the best policy is to wait for your colleagues to
invite you to do so.
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Be careful of name pronunciation,
especially when dealing with others.
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The order of most names is first name,
middle name, and last name.
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To confer respect, use an applicable
professional title such as “Dr.” or courtesy titles such as “Ms.”,
“Miss”, “Mrs.”, or “Mr.” with the last name, until you are told to do
otherwise.
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If you are unsure of a woman's marital
status, use “Ms.” [pronounced “Miz”], followed by her last name. If a
woman dislikes this term, she will usually tell you the courtesy title
she prefers.
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Although some often use first names
over the telephone, on occasion they may revert to using surnames in
person.
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