Aviation International Etiquette

Today, more than ever, aviation is evolving into a global business. Our front-line sales and customer service representatives may often be the very first people that foreign visitors to our country interact with. Or we may be the first visitor from our company in the customer’s home land. These perceptions and greetings may form lasting impressions to the visitors and hosting personnel. It is important that aviation representatives are trained in the basics of international etiquette and understanding of foreign cultures.

Aviation business etiquette includes a wide range of topics, which may include the study of actions and gestures such as:

Dress

• Business dress

• Occasional or social dress

• Color connections

• Men and women dress

Greeting

• The basics

• Rules for introductions

• Differences between men and women

Social Interactions

• Dining etiquette and manners

• Common place settings

• Formal entertainment and social entertainment

• Format of business and social discussions

Communication

• Verbal communication

• Closeness of verbal communication

• Non-verbal communication

• Gestures

• Touching

• Written communication

Etiquette

• Personal interaction

• Cultural awareness and sensitivity in a foreign country

When dealing with foreigners, we must remember the following two facts:

1. When we are the HOST, we should make every effort to make our guests FEEL COMFORTABLE in our culture.

2. When we are the VISITOR, we should make every effort to RESPECTFULLY PRACTICE their culture.

This includes learning their customs and culture. By learning the very basics of a culture, we can later eliminate the possibility of insulting a visitor with a gesture, word, or action that we may feel is very appropriate for a situation, but may be an insult to them. Following are some tips to good manners:

Basic Etiquette

As children, our parents taught us that good manners were important for us to get along with others. The same magic words “Please” and “Thank You” that got us goodies as a child will earn us respect and good relationships as an adult. Good manners will take us a long way in this world, and bad manners can hold us back. When we use good manners around people, we can make others feel comfortable. People like to deal comfortably with others. Using good manners by saying “Please” and “Thank You” will reinforce relationships with everyone.

A proper greeting is our first impression

A proper greeting is a very important part of good manners. Whether we are meeting people for the first time or someone we see every day, friendly greetings are a critical part of our image and impression. Our greeting starts every relationship. Our greetings starts a day with someone we know or work with every day or someone we love. Our greeting is the first impression we give to others.

Dining Etiquette

Table manners play an important part in making a favorable impression. They are visible signals of the state of our manners and therefore are essential to professional success. Table manners shows respect to the local culture and customs. Knowing and using these etiquette rules will make you feel comfortable in all environments.

General Social and Dining Etiquette Rules

Dress Code

• Follow whatever dress code is requested on the  invitation or suggested by the host/hostess.

Arrival

• Arrive on time unless otherwise specified.

• Never arrive late!

• In some cultures, it is customary to arrive late in social environments. Always follow their cultural expectancy.

Hostess Gift

• It is proper to bring a small hostess gift, one that the hostess is not obliged to use that very evening.

• Gifts such as flowers or a bottle of wine are always appreciated by the hostess.

• Gifts such as candy or dessert are not good hostess gifts, as the hostess will feel that it must be put out immediately.

• You must never expect your gift to be served at the dinner party.

Seating

• At a dinner party, wait for the host or hostess to sit down before taking your seat. If the host/hostess asks you to sit, then do.

• At a very formal dinner party, if there are no name cards at the table, wait until the host indicates where you should sit.

• The seating will typically be man-woman-man-woman with the women seated to the right of the men.

Prayer

• A prayer or ‘blessing’ may be customary in some households.

• The dinner guests may join in or be respectfully silent. Most prayers are made by the host before the meal is eaten.

Toast

• Sometimes a toast is offered instead of a prayer.

• Always join in with a toast.

• If the host stands up during the toast, also stand up.

End of Dinner

• Serving tea or coffee signifies that the formal part of the evening is over.

• Guests may now feel free to leave, or linger if the host or hostess encourages them to do so.

Thank-You Note

• After a formal dinner party, a thank-you note should be sent to the hostess.

• Depending on how well you know your hosts, a telephone call is also acceptable.

Cell Phone Etiquette

Cell phones are everywhere in the world including the aviation industry. They are great communication tools that we rely heavily upon. We use them for business and personal communication purposes.

Unfortunately, as cell phone technology has advanced, the etiquette for proper use has not been clearly established. People seem unsure when it is acceptable and not acceptable to use a cell phone. In addition, how should it be used especially in a business environment?

The situation is no different than maintaining a brand new, high-technology jet aircraft without understanding the regulations or how to follow them. If we did this, it could create a fatal situation. We may think cell phone etiquette should not be equally compared to aircraft maintenance practices, but it should — because not using proper cell phone etiquette can be fatal to our career, to our relationships and future business opportunities. Most of all, poor cell phone etiquette gives a poor impression of ourselves to others. Can we afford to take this chance?

Most of us have already experienced other people using the cell phone in a very annoying fashion. What emotions did we experience? What did we think of that person? It was probably negative and we looked down on them, regardless of their job position. Cell phone etiquette is applicable to everyone — from entry-level employees to executive management. There are no exceptions.

Good cell phone etiquette involves following some simple guidelines of common courtesy when using it in public or in the workplace.

Diversity and Culture

People differ widely on their definition of diversity. Diversity refers to the many types of differences we recognize in ourselves and in others. It emphasizes accepting and respecting people’s differences. Some of the examples of diversity are:

• Different ethnicity, race, nationality or culture.

• People with different thoughts and ideas.

• Different social status or economic / education levels.

• Different religious backgrounds or personal beliefs.

Culture is learned behaviors. It is a total way of life of a particular individual or group of people: a set of values, attitudes and practices held in common by an individual or group of people. It involves a specific way of thinking or doing, which distinguishes one group from another.

We do not have to agree with other people’s culture and believes. However, we must always respect them. 

J.D. McHenry is the president of Global Jet Services. He has been involved in numerous aviation maintenance and flight operation programs for more than 31 years. His background includes aircraft manufacturer, corporate flight operations, FAR 91 & 135 operations, aircraft management, repair stations and fixed-base operation. He holds an A&P, IA and doctorate of business management. For more information, visit www.GlobalJetServices.com.