A Roadmap of Business Manners

If you have done any kind of travel, especially for business, you have probably noticed there can be huge differences in the way we communicate, dress, enjoy leisure activities and conduct business from coast to coast. Our cultural norms—how we behave socially or in business from region to region, or age group to age group—can feel as dramatic as visiting a foreign land. According to social and cultural psychologists, the stereotypes we hear are true—the East is more old and established and the West is newer and freer—and this does not change in the business world.

Crossing the Communication Border

The way people speak—the words, tone and dialect they use—is one of the biggest differences we see across the country. This can be especially challenging in professional settings. How we greet each other is often unique to a region. In the Northeast, for example, people are less likely to greet others with a “hello” while walking to their offices, unless they know the person. In the South and the West, however, if you pass someone in the hallway, or are sharing a long elevator ride, it would be odd not to smile or extend a casual greeting to the individual. And of course, if you are in the South you can typically expect to be greeted with a cheery “yes, ma’am” or a “hi y’all!” from all levels of the corporate ladder. By simply paying attention to a greeting, you can better understand where someone’s roots are planted. Differences among people within cross-regional communication also apply to indirect communication. In New York City, busy businesspeople move from home to work with focus and purpose. They are accustomed to the busyness around them—to the point where the sounds they encounter along the way fall on deaf ears. Emma Stone solidified this in a recent interview about filming the latest Spiderman movie in New York City. Busy office workers hustled along and were so oblivious to the action (where cars were literally being blown up) that they had to hire extras to react to the situations. You are less likely to see that kind of reaction from people on the West Coast. Though just as determined and focused in their business lives, if cars are blowing up around them, these people are still likely to stop and watch the action. When it comes to business communication, the most important thing to remember is to be open and flexible—and if you’re unsure of what behavior is expected or appreciated, just ask.

Dressing for Success

Take for example a recent client’s visit to coastal California. In what we would call the business hub of the city, she found businessmen and women dressed in casual attire. Gentlemen rarely wear suits—opting for pressed khakis and a nice golf shirt instead. Where suits and ties are a rare occurrence in the West, men seem to shower in them in the East. A West Coast businessperson was surprised on a recent business trip to New York City because of how different the corporate culture felt. Men and women in suits scurried from the subway to the office—grabbing a bagel at the local food cart. Said businessperson noted how New Yorkers moved with intention. She felt that she couldn’t keep up with them, though she wasn’t the one in three-inch heels. The atmosphere in the West is definitely more laid-back and casual. In the South, where temperatures and humidity are higher, you rarely see women wearing pantyhose to the office unless required by a dress code. An interesting tidbit to note: women who work in the White House or on Parliament Hill must wear stockings or hose and closed-toe shoes year-round. Those who work closely with other cultures must set a high standard and respect other’s cultural beliefs around dress codes. Because wearing inappropriate clothing to a foreign area can sometimes be awkward and embarrassing, there are things you can do to ensure the comfort of others when faced with cultural and regional differences. Do your homework before your next business trip by making Google your go-to resource. Enter the address or area, such as “downtown Vancouver,” where you will be prompted with a street view that allows you to see how people are dressed. Or, simply search for the city’s business attire, such as “business attire in Vancouver,” for a host of resources that discuss etiquette guidelines relevant to that city.

Mixing Business with Pleasure

It is becoming more and more common to mix labor with leisure—that is, business with pleasure. Attending a cocktail party at the home of your boss, or gathering the team for a brainstorming session over lunch at a colleague’s apartment is not uncommon these days. And if you do visit someone’s home for a business-related function, one of the things that can differ from one coast to the other is whether to remove your shoes. Most likely, if you come from a colder climate where part of the year is under snow, you grew up removing your shoes at the door, winter or summer. It just became a habit. And when you enter someone’s home today, no matter where you live, it’s the first thing you do. Those who grew up in climates where the walkways remain clean year-round are encouraged to leave on their footwear. Bare feet or sweaty socks on carpets or hardwoods can be damaging and is really not a good practice, but in the battle between dirty shoes and stocking feet, socks win. Outdoor leisure activities also differ from region to region. Because the weather in the West is moderate, golf is a popular business leisure activity. It is also common for businesspeople in metropolitan cities such as Los Angeles to take their clients to NHL, NFL or MLB sporting events, or to experience the city’s nightlife. However, in the South, you might expect an invitation for something more adventurous, such as hunting. In the Northeast, leisure activities can range from fishing to a night at the theater. If you know your business travels will include an activity that’s unfamiliar to you, it doesn’t hurt to do some light research ahead of your trip. If you are feeling uneasy about your abilities to do said sport, a light-hearted joke with your company at the start of the day may help ease your tensions. Culturally Connected We have all heard the expression that begins “when in Rome…” When it comes to traveling for business purposes, the expression holds true. It is important to be respectful of local customs and traditions. Prior to scheduling your business travels, it is essential to check the region’s observed holidays. Where Jewish holidays are honored in South Florida and the Northeast, the Midwest and the Southwest are known to embrace the tradition of Cinco de Mayo. However in cities such as New York and Los Angeles, you will likely find that only traditional holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve and Day are observed. These are all important to keep in mind when scheduling business trips. Respecting cultural boundaries applies in more intimate circumstances such as hugging and cheek-kissing. Consider how long you have known the person and whether you are friends with them outside of the business arena. The setting also comes into consideration here. No matter how well you know the person, a handshake may be the better choice in a professional situation.

A Narrowing Gap

While it is true that there are definite cultural nuances, it is also true that these differences seem to be narrowing as younger generations move from college into the business world. Co-working spaces are opening across the country—east to west. Millennials and Gen Y’ers are slowly changing the way we work—and it’s happening everywhere. Knocking out daily tasks from co-working spaces or coffee shops has become the norm for this generation, and working traditions—and conditions—are far less formal than what previous generations are accustomed to working in daily. No matter what part of the country you are in, the most important thing to remember is that you are in someone else’s backyard, so avoid making any harsh judgments. And when in doubt, let it go. Remember, no one is purposely trying to offend you.