Etiquettes of greeting and gift giving in the UK
While dealing with delegates from UK or when you happen to be in the UK for corporate meetings, keep in mind that a firm handshake is the norm irrespective of the gender of the person you happen to meet or greet. People shake hands upon arrival and at the time of leaving. Maintain eye contact during the handshake, but do not prolong either of the two acts. It will make people uncomfortable. Business cards are exchanged at the time of introduction without any formal ritual. It may be put away by your British counterpart with just a cursory glance, but don’t get offended by it.
Now, let’s follow some important gift giving etiquette norms in the country. The British people tend to exchange gifts quite frequently between close friends and family members on personal and social festive occasions like Christmas. However, giving and receiving gifts is not a common practice of British business culture. In fact, your British business colleagues might get embarrassed on receiving any gift. The only exception can be made at the time of finalizing a deal. You can mark the occasion by giving an appropriate commemorative item gift.
Again, avoid showy objects that may make the recipient feel awkward. Small gifts like a pen or a book, suitably inscribed, would serve as genuine gesture. Flowers or wine/champagne as a token of thanks for junior colleagues will suffice.
The key point to remember when giving gifts to your UK business associates is to be tasteful and restrained and unostentatious.
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Tags: Business, Gifts, international gifting, London, UK
