BUSINESS ENGLISH – BUSINESS CULTURE AROUND THE WORLD

7 October 2026 • Business Around the World

1. QUICK START – WHAT FEELS NORMAL TO YOU?

How to play: Choose one answer and briefly explain why. There are no correct answers.

A meeting starts at 9:00. Do you arrive early, exactly on time, or a few minutes late?

First meeting with an important client: first names or formal titles?

Before a meeting: straight to business or some small talk first?

2. KEY VOCABULARY

3. THIS OR THAT – INTERNATIONAL WORK EDITION

How to play: Choose A or B – no “it depends” at first. Explain your choice. If someone disagrees, they can say “Convince me!” and you have 20 seconds to defend your choice.

1. Very punctual meetings  OR  Relaxed starting times

2. First names immediately  OR  Titles at first

3. Straight to business  OR  Small talk first

4. Direct communication  OR  Diplomatic communication

5. Formal dress  OR  Casual workplace

6. Clear hierarchy  OR  Flat hierarchy

7. Business lunch with clients  OR  Quick meeting in the office

8. Very clear workplace rules  OR  More freedom and flexibility

4. USEFUL PHRASES

I'm used to…  →  I'm used to fairly informal meetings.

I'm not used to…  →  I'm not used to using formal titles.

That would feel quite unusual to me.  →  That would feel quite unusual to me.

I'd probably find that…  →  I'd probably find that too formal.

It depends on the company / culture.  →  It depends on the company – workplaces can be very different.

5. PARTNER TASK – AN INTERNATIONAL COLLEAGUE IS VISITING

How to play: Imagine a colleague from another country is visiting your workplace for the first time. Together, give them FIVE pieces of advice. Choose from the areas below. Try to use today's vocabulary and at least two useful phrases.

punctuality • greetings • meetings • dress • hierarchy • small talk • lunch / coffee breaks • after-work socialising

Example: “People are usually quite punctual here, so I'd arrive a few minutes early.”

1. __________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________

3. __________________________________________________________

4. __________________________________________________________

5. __________________________________________________________

6. PARTNER DISCUSSION

How to play: Take turns choosing a question. Both partners answer and ask one follow-up question. Try to use today's useful phrases.

1. Would you enjoy working in a very formal company? Why / why not?

2. How important is punctuality in your workplace?

3. Would you prefer a clear hierarchy or a flat hierarchy?

4. Do you prefer direct or diplomatic communication at work?

5. What business custom from another country have you experienced or heard about?

6. What workplace behaviour might surprise a visitor to your country or company?

7. Which workplace custom do you think is most important when working internationally?

8. What would be hardest for you to adapt to in a very different business culture?

MINI CHALLENGE – ONE PIECE OF ADVICE

Before you come back: Agree on ONE piece of advice for someone doing business internationally for the first time. Be ready to share it in one sentence.

FINAL QUESTION – BACK TOGETHER

If you could borrow ONE workplace custom from another country or culture, what would you choose – and why?