of time. A representative could be an official United States office, like the US-ASEAN Council, or it could be a private entity, like a bank. But you should have someone in the country to set appointments for you. Some Western visitors may be confused by a double standard. It would be fairly common for your Vietnamese host to be late for a meeting. Being 30 to 40 minutes late is not unusual. This does not mean that they are not interested or that they are being rude. Don't let yourself be disturbed by it. The double standard is that Westerners, known for their punctuality, are expected to be on time. It would be pretty damaging for your relationship to be late for a meeting without good reason. Business Meetings. Business protocol has more ritual with government officials than it does within the private sector. When you meet with government officials, a local person will accompany you to make your introduction. Shake hands with everyone present in the room. Expect a soft handshake. Avoid any other touching, such as, slapping people on the back or grabbing their arms. Loud behavior, laughing, and talking should also be avoided. Immediately after the introduction it is appropriate to exchange business cards. Vietnamese prefer to exchange cards with both hands. You will then be invited to sit down. In a government office, your hosts will show you where to sit. Most meetings take place in a conference room rather than in someone's office. The higher the rank of the person you meet, the more likely that you will meet in a conference room. When you are offered tea, you should accept it. Even if you are not a tea drinker, you should at least sip it. During your introductory conversations, stay away from discussing politics or the war. It is quite common for Vietnamese officials to ask your opinion on how to solve the remaining problems of US-Vietnamese relations. It is always a good idea to brush it off with a smile. Introductory pleasantry...
