UK has always been a major player in the international market. At one point in the history Great Britain came very close to the status of World Empire and they did not achieve this by only military power. Their most powerful weapon was probably the worldwide trade network. Although they lost their colonies and foreign territories, such as India, Pakistan and Australia, they still maintain important connections and English businessman are still influential.
Although UK is a part of European Union, the British themselves do not consider to be European because they have an island of their own and grand heritage. But English business traditions have greatly affected the business traditions of their European counterparts. We can go even one step further because English business traditions have affected business traditions in the whole world.
The average English business person prefers conservative clothes, usually dark suits. Men prefer shirts without pocket, women on the other hand are not so restricted to the color code, but still prefer conservative wardrobe. English businessmen are very punctual. A handshake is a standard greeting. Though in many other business traditions small gifts are considered to be appropriate, this is not the case in English business traditions. Brits prefer to keep work and private life separate. Though considered to be very conservative, business meetings can take place also in a public establishment. It is obvious that the official language is English, but one must remember that Queen’s English an American English are somewhat different and can take time to get used to it. As UK is a monarchy and in general British are very proud about that, so one should treat the whole topic with respect. One more very important thing – UK consists of various nationalities so, for example, if you address a Scot as English, he might be offended.
Although there is no more an East India Company dominating the global international trade, English business traditions have strong roots in the fundaments of international trade. English businessmen are still influential in the global market and have a respectable reputation.
