Business etiquette for England

Are you planning a business trip to England? To ensure the meeting is a success, we have gathered a few tips for you to keep in mind when meeting with your English business partners.

Do’s

– Shake hands only when meeting for the first time, not again, even when saying goodbye.

– In negotiations, know-it-all behavior and boasting are frowned upon – the UK is the land of elegant understatement.

– In correspondence, make sure the salutation and closing match (“Dear Matthew” and “Best regards”, but “Dear Sir” and “sincerely”).

– Be sure to turn off your phone during lunch or conferences.

– Business meetings should definitely start with small talk. Popular topics: weather, football, holidays. Avoid politics, religion, sex, the royal family, celebrities, and personal matters.

– Maintain your business contacts in England! Travel there at least two to three times a year and invite your business partner. Call them occasionally when you are reminded of England and ask about their well-being and current plans. The English appreciate this type of relationship maintenance.

– In restaurants, the man goes ahead – the only occasion where men do not let women go first. Otherwise, women and higher-ranking individuals always go first.

– Understatement also applies to cars – they should never give the impression that you have too much money.

– Chauffeur services are often used as an alternative to taxi rides.

– Beyond domestic brands, German vehicles are also in high demand.

– When renting cars at English airports, you must leave your fingerprint for security reasons. The data is deleted after your rental.

– Pay attention to driving on the left!

Don’ts

– Do not wear brown suits.

– Do not push ahead in line.

– Do not confuse England with the United Kingdom.

– Avoid physical contact.

– Avoid sloppy clothing at work.

– Do not avoid pub visits.

– A congestion charge of eight pounds is levied for trips into central London on weekdays. Do not try to avoid it, the penalty is costly.