Mexico City: Lunches can last for hours, though younger associates are liable to be more time-conscious. Allow 90 minutes, at least. Social drinking is also common, and you can expect a boozy lunch and a visit to a “table dance” (strip club) to celebrate closing a deal.
San Francisco: It is important to both start and end appointments on time. If you’re driving between San Francisco and Silicon Valley, add 30% to your travel time and always take highway 280 over highway 101 if you can—it is usually faster and always prettier. When possible, schedule your meetings between 10am and 3pm to avoid rush hours. When chatting with venture capitalists, angel investors or employees of high-technology firms, don’t make jokes about underwater stock options. Very few people are likely to laugh with you.
Shanghai: Do not underestimate the concept of losing face. Arriving late, causing embarrassment, confrontational behaviour, or calling attention to a mistake can all cause loss of face. This is potentially disastrous for a business relationship. If a Chinese person has misunderstood you, or cannot (or does not) want to answer a question, they may laugh to cover their embarrassment. Try not to get agitated. Chances are you'll get an answer later. “It is not convenient” is a polite way of saying that something is impossible or very difficult. Better not to force the issue. Ask later, after the person has spoken with a superior.
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Doing business in China
