Greeting

A handshake is the usual way to greet someone. It should feel “right,” meaning it meets the other person’s expectations. In the U.S., that means a firm handshake that lasts about 3 seconds, with 2–3 shakes.

While shaking hands, it’s polite to lean forward a little, smile, and make eye contact.

Offer a handshake when you’re meeting someone for the first time or seeing someone you haven’t seen in a while.

Either men or women can be the first to offer a handshake.

If you're sitting when someone enters, it’s polite to stand up to greet them, no matter your gender.

Hugs and kisses aren’t appropriate in a business setting—for anyone, but especially for women.

Physical touch in general is seen as impolite in professional situations.

If someone offers you a handshake, you should respond with one. Not doing so can come across as rude.

Introduction

Gender doesn’t play a major role in business etiquette and doesn’t affect the order of introductions. The person with the lower position (title, rank, or status) should be introduced to the person with the higher status, not the other way around.

A client and/or an important customer is considered the more important party during an introduction. Even the highest-ranking company representative should be introduced to them.

When making an introduction, first address the person you are introducing to, and then mention the name of the person you are introducing.

After saying the name of the person you’re introducing, also mention their position or professional title/qualification, and add a few words about them (if appropriate and potentially of interest to the other party).

Americans often suggest using first names fairly quickly, skipping formal use of last names.

Exchange of Business Cards

 A business card should include only the most important information about its owner. Besides your job title, it's okay to include academic degrees and professional titles or qualifications.

Academic degrees are usually placed after the last name on the card.

In the USA, it is not necessary to hand a business card to your counterpart during the initial introduction; this can happen later, when the American partner sees a need to maintain contact in the future.

Americans don’t have any special rituals when it comes to exchanging business cards.

You should not insist on giving your business card to a potential partner, especially if you are speaking with a company executive. Wait until your counterpart asks you to hand over your card.

Upon receiving a business card from a partner, an American manager may place it directly into their pocket without really looking at it. This gesture is not intended to be offensive in any way.

Small Talk: Overview

In American society, small talk is an important part of communication, both in business and social settings.

Americans tend to feel uncomfortable with pauses in conversation and usually try to fill them quickly.

Small talk is seen as an easygoing kind of conversation. There's a typical format: people ask short questions and give short answers. Long speeches don’t really fit in this context.

During small talk, Americans usually avoid debates or arguments. If someone starts a serious discussion, they might change the subject or politely excuse themselves and walk away.

In general, Americans often come across as confident. They speak loudly and with emotion, use lots of body language and gestures, and they tend to smile and laugh a lot.

Humor is considered a good way to break the ice in both formal and informal conversations. A well-timed joke can help build rapport and make it easier to shift into business topics.

Try to keep comfortable eye contact with your American partner, but don’t stand too close. Avoid physical contact, though some Americans may casually pat you on the shoulder.

Preferred Topics

Americans are usually happy to talk about professional topics related to their work.

Sports — especially baseball, American football, and basketball — are popular conversation topics in the U.S.

Other safe and easy topics include American TV shows, movies, the weather, and travel.

Taboo Topics

Religion and politics are generally considered off-limits during casual conversation in American society.

Politically incorrect jokes or comments are completely unacceptable.

It’s best to avoid bringing up heavy or sensitive topics like world hunger or terrorism.

Don’t ask your American partner personal questions about things like age, marital status, health, salary, and so on.

Personal Space

In American culture, people don’t usually stand too close to each other. At social events, parties, or casual gatherings, a comfortable distance is at least 2 feet (about 60 cm).

If someone gets too close, Americans may see it as an invasion of personal space.

Aside from a handshake, it’s best to avoid any physical contact in a business setting. In most cases, it’s seen as unprofessional and could even be misinterpreted as inappropriate or sexual harassment.

Communication Specifics

When saying goodbye, Americans might casually invite you over with something like “Y’all come to see us.” The usual response is to return the gesture with something like “We will — y’all come to see us, too.” These kinds of invitations are more of a social ritual — both sides understand it’s not a real invitation.

A key part of communication in American culture is political correctness. That means avoiding any comments — even indirect ones — that could offend someone based on gender, race, age, religion, sexual orientation, and so on.