Customs & Etiquette

Communication Preference:

• Mandarin is the first language of Taiwan
• Most business people do speak English, but not everyone is fluent, so bringing a translator is highly recommended.

Greetings:

• People first greet the person who’s the eldest or with the highest position.
• A nod of the head and handshakes are considered polite for the first meeting
• Handshakes are usually started by the host, especially when the host is female.

Dress:

• In Taiwan, men’s standard dress code is black suit with a tie. Men often remove jackets during meetings.
• Women should wear conservative suits in black, blue or gray, dresses, pantsuits, blouses and skirts.

Business Cards:

• Use two hands when exchanging business cards.
• Do not write anything on the card or keep it in the pocket.
• Business cards should be printed in English on one side and traditional Chinese on the other.

Corporate Culture:

• If possible, bring a team of two to four people (one senior person with decision-making power) to Taiwan.
• People in Taiwan often state their ideas clearly and without hesitation. However, they will generally not say a direct "no."
• Friendship is valued in business.
• Make sure to translate all simplified Chinese documents to traditional Chinese.