How to welcome American guests
Patricia L. aus Stuttgart ist unsicher, wie sie amerikanische Gäste am besten begrüßen sollte.
We have a lot of visitors from the United States. I have heard that people there don’t shake hands as much as here. Do I have to offer my hand when I pickthem up from reception? And what about when they visit the company a second
and third time?
It is true that Americans – and British people – do not shake hands as much as Germans, particularly in their private lives.
In business, however, a handshake is a sign of trust and it is a good idea for you to offer your hand the first time you meet someone.
If a visitor is staying for a number of days, however, don’t repeat the
process every day.
When you shake the hand of an American business partner
● make eye-contact
● make sure your handshake is not painful
● don’t shake for more than three seconds
● stop and start the handshake ‘crisply’