1. Etiquette in social occasions (1) Simplifying Meeting Etiquette People in western countries have traditionally had a complex set of meeting etiquette, from shaking hands and greeting to introducing each other. In contrast, westerners are more casual in interpersonal communication. In America, friends usually greet each other with "hello" without any ceremony. Even if two people meet for the first time, they don't necessarily shake hands. Just smile, say hello and call them by their first names to show your love. But in formal occasions, people should pay attention to etiquette. Shaking hands is the most common greeting. In the United States, when shaking hands, the woman between men and women holds out her hand first. A man should not hold a woman's hand too tightly. If the other person has no intention of shaking hands, the man can only nod and bow. Between the young and the old, the old reach out first; Between the superior and the subordinate, the superior reaches out first; Between the host and the guest, the host reaches out first. When shaking hands, look at each other and pinch off the gloves. If you can't take off your gloves for some reason, you must explain the reason and apologize to the other party. It should also be noted that people should not cross their hands for a long time, and women should not shake hands when they meet. Just like the order of shaking hands, when introducing two people, you should first introduce the man to the woman, the young to the old, and the low status to the high status. (2) Address people by their surnames. Most westerners don't like to call them Mr, Mrs or Miss. They think they are too serious. American men, women and children like to be called by their first names and think it is a symbol of kindness and friendliness. Westerners, regardless of position and age, always try to call each other by their first names to shorten the distance between them. Westerners rarely use formal titles to address others. Official titles are generally only used for judges, senior government officials, military officers, doctors, professors and senior religious figures. For example: Judge Harry, Senator Smith, General Clark, Dr. Brown, Professor Green, Bishop White, etc. It is worth noting that westerners never use administrative titles such as directors, managers and principals to address others. (3) Talk with people about Mo Wen's private affairs. All human actions are individual-centered, and personal interests are inviolable. This principle permeates all aspects of social life. People talk everyday and don't like to involve personal matters. Some questions are even taboo for them, such as age, marital status, income, religious belief, who to vote for in the election, etc. This is very presumptuous and rude. Pay attention to "personal space". Don't stand too close when talking to westerners. It is generally advisable to keep it outside 50 cm. Whenever you go to a restaurant or a library, you should try to keep a certain distance from others. When you have to sit at the same table or next to others, you'd better say hello and ask, "May I sit here?" Don't sit down until you get permission. (4) Give priority to women in social occasions. What is the status of American women in social and political life? Let's leave it here. But in social situations, they always get special treatment. Respecting women is a traditional custom in European and American countries, which is influenced by the chivalry of medieval Europe from a historical perspective. From a religious point of view, it is out of respect for the virgin Mary. According to the habits of westerners, in social occasions, men should be modest and love women everywhere. When walking, men should walk on the side near the road; When seated, please ask the woman to sit down first; Get on and off the elevator and let the woman walk in front; When entering the door, the man should open the door first and invite the woman in. But when you get off the bus and go downstairs, the man should walk in front to take care of the lady; When entering restaurants and theaters, men can walk in front and find good seats for women; When eating, ask the woman to order first; When greeting women, men should stand up, women don't have to stand up, just sit and nod; When men and women shake hands, men must take off their gloves, but women don't. A woman's things fall on the ground, and a man should help her pick them up whether he knows them or not. (5) The more polite the expression, the better. Westerners have a sweet mouth. They are never stingy with compliments, which often makes listeners feel comfortable. In America, words like "please", "thank you" and "sorry" can be seen everywhere. In America, everyone will say "thank you" when getting help from others, even the president. In shopping malls, salespeople always smile. When customers come in, they will take the initiative to meet them and ask, "Can I help you?" When customers pay, they will smile and thank them. Finally, I will send you a thank you. Similarly, customers will repeatedly thank them for receiving the goods. Westerners think it is impolite to burp in public or sneeze or cough when talking to others. In this case, they will say "I'm sorry" and ask for forgiveness. 2. Gifts, appointments and visits (1) Gifts Generally speaking, westerners don't give gifts casually. Some people often seem a little embarrassed when they receive gifts. This is especially true if they happen to have nothing in return. But when it comes to festivals, birthdays, weddings or visiting patients, gifts are inevitable. It is the most popular for westerners to exchange gifts at Christmas. At Christmas, naive children will be in high spirits because they receive all kinds of novel toys, thinking that they are gifts from Santa Claus. Adults often give each other books, stationery, chocolate candy or bonsai. Gifts should be wrapped in floral paper and tied with ribbons. Most visits are flowers and sometimes bonsai. Traditionally, if you mourn in person, you usually send flowers in a bottle without a business card; If you let the flower shop send it directly, you must attach a business card. When sending friends on a long trip, gifts are often given. Gifts are usually flowers, snacks, fruits or books and magazines. There is also a business card attached to the gift, wishing him a safe journey. In addition, westerners believe that the singular is auspicious. Sometimes it doesn't feel like giving three pears, which is different from China people who pay attention to pairs. When westerners receive gifts, they must immediately open them, enjoy or taste them in front of the giver, and immediately thank the giver. The gift is beautifully packaged and gorgeous in appearance, but it is not necessarily too expensive inside. (2) Dating with westerners emphasizes efficiency, and attaches importance to arranging your daily time in a planned way. Therefore, they absolutely don't want anyone to visit suddenly and disrupt their plans, except their close relatives and friends. Not only on weekdays, but also on Sundays. When visiting other people's homes, you should write or call one or two days in advance to make an appointment, and you must not stand up after the date. It is very impolite to stand up. If you can't keep the appointment temporarily, you should inform the other party as soon as possible and apologize. You'd better arrive on time when you go to the appointment. (3) Be considerate when visiting, be punctual when attending appointments, and be polite and natural when visiting. First of all, knock on the door or ring the doorbell, and get the owner's permission before entering the door. Some people have brown felt for shoeshine at the door. You should wipe the dirt off your shoes so as not to stain the owner's carpet. It is impolite for a person wearing a hat to take off his hat and put it in the room after entering the door. If you visit in rainy days, you should pay attention to putting your umbrella and raincoat outdoors. After taking off your coat and overcoat, the host will usually take the initiative to help you take it and hang it up. At this time, you don't have to mention it. After entering the house, be kind to the hostess first, and then to the host. If the host's house is full of guests and friends, then just shake hands with the host and acquaintances and nod to others. There is no need to be too formal when you are a guest in a western family. If the host asks you to sit down, if you don't sit down immediately to show politeness, it will make the host feel uneasy and think the chair is dirty or inconvenient. When you are a guest, don't read the words on the host's desk, and don't look through the documents at will. Don't tamper with indoor antiques, let alone ask the price of indoor appliances. It should not be too long to be a guest in a western family, so as not to delay the host's time too much. But don't leave immediately after dinner, talk to the host for a while, and then thank you and leave. If the husband and wife go to other people's homes together, the wife should stand up and leave first.