Communicating with customers from different countries and regions is the main job of cross-border e-commerce customer service staff. In the process of communication, they will be exposed to the unique traditional customs and habits of different countries, nationalities and regions. In order to avoid embarrassment and unnecessary misunderstandings during communication and to better promote good relationships with customers, cross-cultural communication is very important.
(1) Japan
In business activities, Japanese people attach great importance to the role of business cards and attach great importance to exchanging business cards when they first meet. They believe that business cards indicate a person’s social status, so they always carry them with them. When meeting Japanese customers for the first time, not bringing business cards is not only impolite but also makes the other party think that you are difficult to get along with. When exchanging business cards, you must first bow and hand over the business card with both hands. After receiving the other party’s business card, you must read it carefully to see the other party’s identity, position, and company, and nod to indicate that you understand the other party’s identity. They believe that business cards are a representation of a person and treat business cards as if they were themselves. If you take a business card and put it in your pocket without reading it, it is considered impolite. If you are going to attend a business negotiation, you must hand out business cards to everyone in the room and accept their business cards. Don’t leave anyone out. Although it takes a lot of time, it is a way to show mutual friendship and respect.
Japanese businessmen attach great importance to establishing long-term partnerships. They respect each other very much during business negotiations and hope that the other party will do the same. When giving gifts, Japanese people pay great attention to class or rank, so don’t give them too expensive gifts to avoid them mistakenly thinking that your status is higher than theirs.
(2) India
Indian business etiquette is more formal, greatly influenced by British social culture, and has characteristics of both Western and Eastern cultures. Indians shake hands when they meet, but men should put their hands together and bow slightly when they see women, saying “Namaste” (the original meaning of Sanskrit is “nod to you”, now it means greeting or blessing). Men should try to avoid touching women, and should not talk to women alone in public. In terms of business etiquette, Indians will hand over English business cards when they meet, and English is the business language of India.