Courtesy in the 21st century? "Sorry, no time for that." Things have sped up. Since the creation of the internet, email and mobile phones, communication has become faster and generally more efficient - people can "meet" each other anytime, virtually anywhere. Some traditionally once life-long job assignments have been reduced to a couple of years, all the way up the rungs of the corporate ladder. The number of new inventions grows exponentially. And it's not slowing down any time soon. In these busy times, courtesy may appear as a luxury or a tribute to older generations. "Just do it" slogans and tough leadership seem to suggest that politeness on the way to success is not needed. “Sorry, but I don’t have any time for sentiments!” Read on, to consider how cultivating your courtesy remains a modern and useful business skill – even in the 21st century… The Shanghai Government is onto courtesy. Recently, they have been promoting courtesy in the city's main battleground: the public space. Traffic honk-concerts and elbow ballets are no longer en vogue. Taking traffic in the streets of Shanghai as an example, survival of the fittest flourishes, with a pecking order that goes something like: pedestrians last, then bicycles, motorcycles and cars, and on top the lion kings of the urban jungle – buses and trucks. But slowly and surely, by equipping traffic stewards with louder whistles, increasing the number of traffic police and wardens and by monitoring pedestrian and vehicle traffic, our safety is increasing whilst an attempt at improved courtesy proliferates. What about elevators (or subway trains), and the classic "everyone in as fast as you can, without letting anyone out"? In preparation for the Expo 2010, on 23 March 2009, the Shanghai Daily reported that government officials have announced that performances detailing elevator etiquette will be seen this May on Nanjing Road, Huangpu District. Watch this space... Courtesy is being vastly promoted and changes are happening now. Standing back on the sidelines may be comfortable, but by becoming an ambassador of courteous behavior, your actions will speak loudly. Maybe you'll find in one of the following situations some points for consideration and action… Work overload or hierarchy is no excuse for omitting "please and thank you" Think of the senior professionals you have met in your career. Which ones have left a lasting impression? A title printed on their business card or their position on the company's organizational chart can stand out. But far more revealing is how they treat others around them. The simplicity of a “please”, a “thank you” or other forms of courtesy reveal a lot about the other person and their true character. Those that are too busy, or believe they are too important to be courteous to their subordinates or business partners are easily remembered – but not necessarily for the right reasons. A curious mind can lead to a courteous mind The Chinese proverb 入乡随俗 (rù xiāng suí sú; enter village, follow customs), the rough equivalent of the English "when in Rome, do as the Romans do", shows how most cultures encourage adaptability and a degree of flexibility when travelling and working in other countries. In reality, some habits or customs may be in stark contrast to the ones of a person's own culture, causing confusion, embarrassment, or even disgust. Regardless of one's cultural background, the ability to research, learn about and respect (or at least tolerate) another culture's peculiarities shows the broad-mindedness, self-awareness and self-confidence of an individual and can lead to better relationships and fewer misunderstandings. In international business, the most successful manager is often the one who blends his or her actions with customs, values, and beliefs from culturally different experiences. Don’t burn your bridges Manners tend to be better at the beginning of relationships, whether business or private. Over time, they sometimes diminish, reaching an all-time low at the supposed "end" of a relationship. People can be torn away from each other once jobs, projects or shared time reach an end, or when business relations do not result in a contract. Understandably, at the end of relationships priorities change, the new projects ask for undivided attention, and a strong focus on the future is a worldly wisdom. When ending a business relationship, to finish with an act of courtesy, either through an email, letter or a final get-together, rather than just stopping the communication completely, might prove a wise action in the long run. Another great Chinese proverb that is along the same lines and lends plenty of wisdom is 过河拆桥 (guò hè chái qíao; don't kick down the ladder). Just think, when do you really know for sure that a relationship has ended, once and for all? Besides courtesy, a set of etiquette knowledge and skills in international business is essential for lasting success. Follow this link to our next public workshop: International Business Etiquette -> Go to Turning Point Overview ->