English is widely spoken in Singapore. It is the language of business, government, education and the media. Many business people are highly educated and have traveled extensively. Corruption is virtually non-existent.

Business discussions are usually conducted in a very straightforward manner, and most businesspeople are skilled and technically knowledgeable. Most agents/distributors have visited the United States and often handle several American product lines. For the sake of politeness and respect, it is wise to address a businessperson by the last name rather than the first name until invited to use a given name. When in doubt it is not impolite to ask. The common and polite Singaporean phrase is ‘How shall I address you?

Business cards are a must as they are immediately exchanged during business and social meetings. The East Asian practice of presenting a business card with both hands is observed. There is no need to have special business cards printed in Chinese.

Located a few degrees from the Equator, Singapore has a constant tropical climate year-round. Daytime temperatures average between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity is very high and rain showers are frequent.

Summer-weight suits/dresses, several dress-shirts, and an umbrella are recommended for the traveler. Singapore business dress is a long-sleeved shirt and tie for men, although one will not be out of place without a tie. Some formal meetings call for a coat and tie. Businesswomen wear light-weight attire. Evening dinner-dress is a shirt and tie for men but there isn’t a strict dress code for women.

Telecommunications and Internet facilities in Singapore are state-of-the-art, providing high-quality communications with the rest of the world.

Indonesia:

Indonesians do not conduct business transactions or make decisions in the same direct fashion Americans do, so U.S. business people should be prepared to spend a good deal of time with clients before getting down to the business transaction. Because Indonesians do business with "friends," people who they know, developing a rapport is crucial. While quality and price are important, they are often secondary to the personal interaction of the business partners.

During business meetings, tea or coffee is almost always served and should be accepted. It should not be consumed until the host invites you to do so, which may not occur until the end of the meeting. Generally speaking, it is best to use the right hand in receiving or eating. Although hand shaking is a common practice, avoid hearty handshakes and other physical contact. Do not show the soles of your shoes when seated.

The national language of Indonesia is Bahasa. English is widely spoken and understood by most business people. Most of the better hotels have English-speaking staff, as do the shopping centers. International telephone operators also speak English. The level of English can vary. Indonesian firms hoping to conduct business with foreigners generally try to employ some English speakers.

Located near the Equator, Indonesia has a warm climate year-round. Daily temperatures average between 79-86 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity is high and rain showers are frequent.

The normal business attire is a lightweight business suit or white shirt, tie and slacks for men, and a business suit or dress for women.

Telephone services vary between areas. They depend largely on the local telephone exchange's capacity to handle traffic. Phone service is good along the main business thoroughfares and the newer residential areas.

Malaysia:

Business customs in Malaysia do not differ fundamentally from those of the U.S. Frankness, openness, and punctuality, are valued traits in business negotiations and dealings. Personal contact is important. However, visitors should be aware of religious and cultural traditions, which differ for each ethnic group. For example, Malay Muslims may feel uncomfortable in business or social functions where alcohol or pork is served, and visitors should take note that items (such as business cards) should always be presented or received using the right hand.

As a result of the country's ethnic diversity, most Malaysians speak at least two and even three languages. English is widely spoken and is commonly used in business.

The climate is hot and humid with frequent rain showers. Summer-weight suits/dresses, several dress-shirts, and an umbrella are recommended for the traveler. Malaysia business dress is a long-sleeved shirt and tie for men, although one will not be out of place without a tie. Some formal meetings call for a coat and tie. Businesswomen wear light-weight attire. Evening dinner-dress is a shirt and tie for men but there isn’t a strict dress code for women.

International telephone service from Malaysia is adequate and several large mobile telecommunication companies offer 3G service with extensive nationwide coverage.

Thailand:

Thais value patience and respect for status (age, authority, etc.), both are deeply rooted in their cultural and social environments. Thais are very reluctant to hurt the feelings of others or to cause them any dissatisfaction. Below is a list of general etiquette to follow:

“Khun" is the Thai form of address for Mr., Mrs., and Ms.
The "wai" is a traditional gesture of greeting and respect in Thailand. Practice by placing your palms together in a prayer-like position.
Business cards are an indispensable part of making business contacts in Thailand. Bring lots of your own as a general form of introduction.
Remove shoes before entering a home or temple.
Touching someone on the head or pointing your feet to anything is considered by Thais to be very rude.
Thais hold the Royal Family in high esteem and you are also expected to do so.

Thai is the national language. English is the next most commonly spoken language, and is especially prevalent among the business community in Bangkok.

Thailand has a tropical climate. Daytime temperatures are hot and humid with frequent monsoons.

Summer-weight suits/dresses, several dress-shirts, and an umbrella are recommended for the traveler. Thailand business dress is a long-sleeved shirt and tie for men, although one will not be out of place without a tie. Some formal meetings call for a coat and tie. Businesswomen wear light-weight attire. Evening dinner-dress is a shirt and tie for men but there isn’t a strict dress code for women.

Telecommunications for the business traveler in Bangkok and major cities is efficient, with worldwide access for voice, fax and data with international direct dialing.

Vietnam:

Relationships are very important in Vietnam. Your counterpart will want to know with whom they are dealing before getting in too deep. American businesses need to understand this aspect and be patient if their Vietnamese counterpart seems reluctant to move on a transaction immediately.

Vietnamese names begin with the family name, followed by the middle name and finally the given name. To distinguish individuals, Vietnamese address each other by their given names. Therefore, Mr. Nguyen Anh Quang would be addressed Mr. Quang. Pronouns are always used when addressing or speaking about someone. You should always address your contacts as Mr., Mrs., Ms. or Miss followed by the given name. Vietnamese often reciprocate this custom when addressing foreigners. Ms. Jane Doe would typically be addressed as Ms. Jane. If you are unsure how to address someone, ask for advice.

Vietnamese is the official language. Use of English is becoming more common, especially in the larger cities and in the rapidly expanding tourism sector.

Vietnam has a tropical climate like much of the region with high humidity and frequent and rain showers.

Normal business attire consists of a suit and tie for men and suit or dress for women. During the hotter months, formal dress for men is a shirt and tie. Open collar shirts and slacks may be worn to more informal meetings depending on the situation. The trend in the South is to be more casual; suit jackets are worn only on very formal occasions and first meetings.

Telecommunication services are widely available at most hotels. Internet services can be accessed through hotel business centers or from a growing number of Internet cafes.

Print | Last Updated: 4/18/12 11:56 AM