GLOBAL PROTOCOL AND CORPORATE ETIQUETTE by Joel Lim

The importance of the global protocol and corporate etiquette were emphasized during last Saturday’s session. These topics are important since both the business and political worlds have become more global and that relationship selling has become a must for success. It can make or break businesses and political relationships among nations. This importance is even greater for international, multi-cultural enterprises operating in different industries. Face to face contacts are still important in business relations despite tremendous developments in technology. International travels are more frequent than before and this results cross-cultural interaction more intense than in the past.

International protocol is commonly described as a set of recognized and generally accepted system of international courtesy. “In Rome, we must do as Rome does”. This is an old English proverb telling the importance of etiquette in travel. The traditions about eating, drinking, dressing, introducing, using titles differ in different parties of the world. Even in close geographies peoples differ in protocol and etiquette. When there are cultural differences, sometimes there are cultural shocks as well. For this reason, adaptation to other cultures and developing a flexible attitude is necessary.

An interesting part of the introductory lecture was about flags. A flag symbolizes a nation or a country. It is important to know how it is flown, displayed and raised. During my elementary years, I experienced the first time to raise the Philippine flag. We were three to do such task and it was not a successful one. Initially, we started raising the flag smoothly with the anticipation that it will reach the peak of the pole, and then suddenly, one of my companions lost control of his grip of the ropes and the flag went down halfway. Instead of hearing the serene music of the national anthem, it was replaced with burst of laughs and criticisms among our classmates, schoolmates and teachers. We were called by our principal to explain what had happened. A simple question was asked by our principal that I could not forget. She asked, “What could be the reaction of a foreign national if he happens to witness the flag raising ceremony that we just did?” From that day on, as young as we were, the importance of raising the Philippine flag in the proper manner was then inculcated in our minds.

The lecture also discussed about dining etiquette. It then reminds me of a fictional story that I happened to read way back in high school. It is a story on how a queen, who was left with no children from her late husband, chose the next ruler of the kingdom. She made an open invitation among children ages 6 to 10 years old for a dinner. As foods were served on the long dining table, the children as hungry as they were, grabbed so many foods in their plates using their bare hands. A boy stood among them since he curiously followed what the queen has been doing with her meal. As the queen started to place the napkin on her lap, the boy imitates her by placing also his napkin on his lap.  The manner of eating and how the queen used the utensils were imitated by this young person. It caught the attention of the queen and he was chosen and trained to lead the kingdom. In essence, etiquette helps people to understand what is appropriate in any situation and how to behave on these occasions.

Etiquette has been an important part of a social or business life. I remembered a scene from a comedy movie wherein a young man at a business lunch doesn’t know what to do with the napkin on the table. So what he did, he tucked his napkin into his belt and proceeded to eat his meal. This tiny breach of etiquette went unnoticed until he stood up and walked around the restaurant with the napkin still tucked in his belt. It didn’t slip by his dining companions and all laughed at him.  Imagine if this person has a doctoral degree, an I.Q. of 150 and with hundreds of connections. Still, it won’t get him anywhere in life without realizing the importance of corporate etiquette.

Good manners and professional etiquette are essential especially for us professionals. Dr. Aves mentioned during the session that these evolved from common sense and respect for others. The Bible mentioned in Luke 6:31, “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” Basically, this biblical verse summarizes the elements of etiquette.