Business travel is a bit different than traveling for pleasure or taking a journey on your own. Standard international business etiquette will apply in most situations, making it relatively easy to handle simple greetings and social situations, conduct meetings, and determine the appropriateness of gifts. But significant differences in perception and language problems can change what should be simple activities into major events.
How greetings are handled will depend on who is being greeted by whom and what the circumstances are. If you are being met at the airport by company representative, he or she may have a sign with your name on it. You could be met by an entire delegation from the company. There are so many protocol issues that go with official greetings that it is impossible to cover them all. Once out of the airport, how and when you will meet your business counterparts also depends on the purpose of your visit and the arrangements you have made.
Some circumstances would warrant a formal greeting with some ceremony, press coverage, or other recognition; other situations would be better handled in a more private or informal manner. What is discussed when is an issue in both cultures as is the approach to the discussions. Giving presents and gifts is a normal part of marketing and public relations. Appropriate gifts can help bridge cultures and aid in developing good relationships with your business partners. Inappropriate gifts, as may well be expected, can result in a negative impression.
