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How To: Practice proper business etiquette in the US

If you are frequently traveling to the US on business, you will already have noticed that there are some unwritten rules for the interaction with business partners, coworkers and employees. To help you get along, we have compiled a list with the most important etiquette rules for your business routine in the US.

Evening appointments: Do not suggest holding business meetings in the evening. Americans don't have a problem with working late, but after that they want to return home to their families as soon as possible. Evening are appointments are rather informal events between partners.
Alcohol: Be very careful with the consumption of alcohol. That also applies to evening appointments/meetings. Alcohol for lunch is very much frowned upon. Better drink ice tea instead.
Address: Do not call women "Miss!" To most people, that sounds rather absurd. Most often, Americans will introduce themselves with their first name. If they do, that's the way you should address them. Otherwise use "Sir" or "Madam."
Greeting: Do not respond with extensive monologues about how you are feeling to the obligatory "How are you." A simple "I'm fine, thank you" is enough. A handshake should be firm but short. What's really important are compliments - for example about the view from the conference room, the organization of the meeting, the city, the nice hotel. And don't whine about Germany. Be positive, that will be much better received.
Thank you: Say "thank you" for everything! Tell the participants at your meeting thanks for coming, thanks for their time and thanks for their work. Thank the assistants, thank the delivery man. In a smaller meeting, introduce all the participants individually to the other participants and tell them briefly about the contributions he or she has made or is going to make.
Dress code: The dress code for most lines of business - with the exception of the finance sector on the East Coast - is rather informal. Most often, a casual combination will be enough - maybe even without a tie. However, when in doubt, better dress too formally than too casually. And as for women, the same rule applies everywhere - do not show too much skin. The rather prudish Americans frown upon that.
Invitations: In case you are invited to somebody's home privately, make sure not to stay for more than three hours. Bring a bottle of good German wine and flowers and briefly talk about the wine-growing area. Do not forget the thank-you card the next day.
Eating: Many Americans first cut up their meat or fish into bite-sized pieces and then eat with the right hand, with the left hand placed in their lap. Our way of using both hands, however, is acceptable.
Compliments: Never mention a person's looks - neither in a positive nor in a negative way! This can easily be mistaken for sexual harassment and might cost you your job. Better just compliment on achievement and team work.
Conferences: If you are at a reception - mingle. It is perfectly normal to introduce yourself to complete strangers, and to join a group, after brief eye contact, to make conversation. Where are you from? What are you doing? For whom are you working? This is not perceived as intrusive but as sociable. Don't be surprised, however, if your conversation partner just walks away after a few minutes. He or she will use the time for networking as well.
Criticism: Americans do not cope well with open criticism. Even if the results are below average - always assume the other person did their best. Compliment on small achievements and progress and try to put even criticism into a positive phrase: "That was great, but next time we will be even better."
Punctuality: Be on time, even if Americans are more easy-going about that. Traffic jams and delays are a byproduct of being in a big city. And the other way around - never be too early! That is considered to be extremely rude, especially for private invitations.
Small talk: Never criticize the President of the United States! Anything political is off-limits. Don't let a question like "Do you think your chancellor is doing a good job?" tempt you to give a speech about politics. "I think she's doing well enough in the media" is completely sufficient as an answer. Off-limits are also topics like religion, race, and sex anyway. Be careful with talking about soccer, that could be misunderstood as a disrespectful statement about American football.
Business cards: Don't just hand them out. Better ask for the other person's card first. If the other person says they're out at the moment, he or she is not interested in further contact. Only offer your own card if the conversation went beyond meaningless pleasantries.