“But my customer’s are international. Do these same rules apply?” Yes! Writing respectfully, managing the connection and applying rules of business etiquette apply whether you’re writing to your customer in Kentucky or Katmandu!
Dave Thompson’s Kiwi (New Zealand) post might as well be from the USA.
Be brief he says unless you want to bore your reader. Check!
Avoid bling. No backgrounds, smiley faces, pretty logos, fancy fonts. Check!
No funnies. Copy, stuff in envelope, address, stamp. Not so funny now. Check!
Clean before forwarding. Don’t send what other people shouldn’t read. Check!
Wenkai Tay’s Singaporean post is old but that makes it even more telling. Back in 2003, here is what Tay said:
Email is a more casual medium than snail mail, and taking an overly formal tone can make you look like one of those “ousted government officials” who require your assistance on a strictly confidential matter of great importance.
Email is all about the other person. Write for them. Respect their time. Get results!
What differences do you see when emailing internationally? What should Americans consider when emailing other countries? Let’s talk!
Tags: , email etiquette and productivity
Hi Sue -
I’ve just recently started reading your blog, but it’s now one of my more constant reads.
I think I might be able to share some information in regards to email communication in the Middle East (at least). I’ve been working here for the past three and a half years and have learned a bit more than I thought I would about communication (email and other) differences.
At least here, there actually is a bit of mixing that has to occur between business and personal in communicating and making that “match” with your business partner. It’s common to start out formal conversations with discussions about children, siblings, parents, uncles, whatever the case may be.
This does not mean that we can ignore the business topic, it just means that we have to surround it in ways to engage some of the older tribal customs that still exist in the culture. It is basically a way of creating that “hook” tying the communicating parties together.
Ashi-
Thank you! I’ve never thought of why it’s so important to honor the rituals and expectations of the recipient’s culture. You wrote this in such a caring manner, and I’m honored that you took the time to help me. Wishing you all the best (and your family, too!) – Sue