"Let's do lunch" is a phrase that we have all heard and used many times. It is quite common for business to be done at the dining table, whether it's a sales call, a negotiation, or a meal to check in and maintain an important client relationship. Business lunches and dinners are common around the globe, though they are handled differently in each country. It is important to understand cultural etiquette around dining in order to avoid embarrassment and maximize your chances of business success.

Keep in mind that whenever cultural differences and similarities are discussed, a great deal of generalization is being made. Obviously, each individual has his or her own particular style, and it is important to be aware, listen carefully, and take your cues from your host. That said, there are some generalities that might be helpful when approaching a business meal.

In the United States, individuals generally have a reputation for getting right down to business. Meals are a means to an end -- to close the deal, for example. And many Americans have taken this attitude, and turned off many a client.

Mexico/Latin America

In Latin America, for example, it is customary to be more social over lunch before turning to business at hand. You might be asked about your family, how you are enjoying the country, and should reciprocate the pleasantries. You may be considered rude and too overbearing if you jump right into a negotiation. Andrew Goldberg, president of Andrew Goldberg and Associates, a consulting firm providing technology information for Latin America, notes that, "The biggest differences I have observed between business lunches in Mexico and the US are the length and content. Business lunches in Mexico typically last two or more hours and begin in the mid-afternoon. The topics of conversation can range widely from family to current affairs."

Brazil

Lunch and dinner tend to be eaten later in the day in Brazil because Brazilians like to start their day a little later than Americans or Europeans, and business dinners are generally preferred over lunches. Brazilians love to invite visitors to savor the traditional drink of "Caipirinha," a highly potent mixture of Cachaca (sugar cane spirit) lime and sugar. It's deceptively refreshing and highly intoxicating, so go easy, advises Gina Teague, a cross-cultural counselor, "or you might lose the competitive advantage!"

The UK

In Britain, a business lunch might occur at a pub, a restaurant or a gentlemen's club. There is less discussion of family or personal life. The British culture tends to be a bit more formal, so you might want to keep things on a business, economic or (appropriate) political note. The British are quite polite as a rule, and will tend to be put off by loud, backslapping sort of behavior. Teague reminds clients that "table manners in Europe and the UK in particular are extremely important, particularly at more formal luncheons with senior management. This means keeping both knife and fork in your hands throughout the meal -- not using the knife initially then laying it down on the plate, as is usually done in the US."

A senior business professional in the UK with whom I spoke also explained the ritual of "gentlemen's clubs," which date back to the pre-Victorian era. If you are invited to one of these clubs for a meal, it is very rude to discuss business, and taking out a briefcase or a cell phone could not only result in you being asked to leave, but could also cost your host his membership.

Japan

"Lunch is traditionally the main meal of the day, and even today, in busy cities, it can still be an elaborate affair with several courses, " writes Dean Foster in his book, The Global Etiquette Guide to Asia. Catherine Tansey of International Business Training Inc. goes on to advise, "Try to avoid having noodles if you have a more informal business lunch. Many Japanese enjoy slurping their noodles in order to make them cooler to eat. They are always a bit shocked when they see that Westerners simply can't slurp their noodles."

Business dinners can last for several hours until late in the evening, though business breakfasts are not a favorite for the Japanese, who think it is a somewhat strange ritual. Finally, guests will never see the host paying the bill. Tansey notes that it is always done discretely beforehand or after the lunch.

These are just a few examples of the role that meals play in conducting international business. What all of these instances have in common is the lesson that it is important to take time and learn the customs and unspoken norms of other countries in order to build relationships and be an effective businessperson.

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