Philippines
When going to the Philippines to do a business negotiation you will have to make several trips over a period of months to accomplish the deal. When you are getting ready to meet the key decision-makers it is a good idea to have someone as an intermediary because they can help establish a better relationship with them than what you can. You should always be the one first to offer a business card. There is also no need to translate the card language; the business people in the Philippines say that English only are acceptable. When in public you are not to express any emotion. They consider that unacceptable when in the public eye. A good thing to always remember is that the Philippines have a reputation for violence and they will do anything to regain their honor, so don't provoke them, they don't care about the consequences of their actions. While in the Philippines you must attend all special events that they invite you to since this is an important part of the business deal. When going to an event arrive 15 to 20 minutes late because if you arrive early you will seem overanxious then the host will feel like their being rushed. If the Filipino invites you to their home you better consider that a huge honor, it shows that . . .
During fiesta don't go outside wearing anything that you wouldn't want to get wet because they like to drench passerbies. Appointments can be scheduled up to one month in advance. At certain family events you are to toss a handful of small coins to the children present. In the Philippines instead of giving more responsibility or a higher salary they reward them with a professional title. Good topics to talk about are Filipino customs and culture, fiesta, family, and sports (especially basketball). If you are in a restaurant and you hear hissing don't worry about it because that is how they get the servers attention. When visiting you should avoid starring at the Filipinos because they consider it a hostile gesture. Giving gifts such as flowers or food is an essential way of business in the Philippines. Never refer to your host's wife as the hostess, in the Philippines hostess means prostitute. Appreciated gifts are fine pens, stationary imprinted with your logo, dinner at a fine restaurant, whiskey but for men only, and perfume. Visiting businessmen should expect to shake hands firmly with other Filipino men, both upon introduction and meetings. You are expected to be on time unlike the Filipinos, but they won't keep you waiting long.
Common topics in this essay:
Philippines English, Sir Ma'am, , host feel, professional title, language business, address nickname, |