31-country business-culture briefs — customs stated as common practice, backed by our data.
Handshakes are the standard greeting in British business settings, with moderate firmness and natural eye contact. First names are widely used in many UK workplaces, but it is advisable to wait for the other party to initiate. Avoid overly familiar physical contact such as hugging or patting on the back.
Use 'Mr./Ms.' followed by the surname in formal settings initially. Many British workplaces have relatively flat hierarchies and colleagues often move to first names quickly. Follow the other person's lead rather than assuming informality from the outset.
Avoid asking about salary, age, or political views, as these are considered private matters. Excessive flattery or overt commercial praise can come across as insincere in British business culture. Queuing is a deeply ingrained social norm — jumping a queue will cause significant offence.
Meetings are typically confirmed in advance via email or calendar invitation, with agendas circulated beforehand. Punctuality is important; if you are running late, notify your host as early as possible. Orderly, turn-based discussion is the norm, and interrupting others is generally considered impolite.
British negotiation tends to be methodical and detail-oriented, with decision-making that may progress slowly and require thorough written documentation. Phrases such as 'that's interesting' or 'we'll think about it' often signal polite reluctance rather than genuine interest. Building trust over time is more effective than applying direct pressure.
Business lunches and dinners are common social occasions, and table manners are relatively formal. Resting cutlery parallel on the plate signals that you have finished your meal. Splitting the bill is not uncommon in British business culture, though the inviting party typically offers to pay.
Punctuality is a standard expectation in British business; arriving more than five minutes late warrants advance notice. Standard working hours run Monday to Friday, with formal meetings most commonly scheduled between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The UK observes GMT or BST (British Summer Time), which is 7–8 hours behind China Standard Time.
Key UK public holidays include New Year's Day (1 January), Good Friday and Easter Monday (variable dates), the Early May Bank Holiday, Christmas Day (25 December), and Boxing Day (26 December). Public holiday schedules differ slightly across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, so confirm the relevant region when planning. It is advisable to check availability several weeks ahead of any holiday period to avoid disruption to business schedules.