In some countries businessmen and women dress formally. This means they wear a business suit. Recently, companies are introducing casual Fridays or dress-down days. These are days when employees can go to work in more casual clothes which may help to create a more relaxed working environment.

In spite of digital technology, it’s still common to exchange business cards. Most business cards show the first name and the family name, or surname, of the person, together with the position they hold in their company, their job title. You may also see the person’s qualifications after their name. For example, C.P.A. for a British accountant, or DTEFLA for an international language teacher.

Letters before a person’s name are their initials; P. Smith for Peter Smith, John B. Hudson for John Barry Hudson. Barry is Mr. Hudson’s middle name.

Entertaining and hospitality vary a lot across different cultures. Some countries have long business lunches where deals are discussed and contacts are made in restaurants. In others it is common to spend the evenings drinking and singing in bars and visiting nightclubs. You may be invited to have dinner at a client’s home or invited to an important sports event. The way a company treats it’s guests is called corporate hospitality.