America is a multi-cultural society but business meetings are mostly done in English and Spanish. New York meeting space differs from organization to organization. In America, golf is a very popular sport and most meetings take place between the executives at the golf courses where business deals are sealed. Americans work 6 days each week from 9-5 (Monday – Friday) and 9-6 (Saturday), Sunday usually is a free or rest day. Americans are not shy to play golf and do business at the same time. A golf course is one of the famous New York meeting space amongst executives.
American executives value their space and are known to avoid hand-shakes at all costs. They appreciate if a business partner keeps their distance and do not think it appropriate to be hugged by a business associate or partner. Exchanging gifts is not a must and gifts, if received are opened in the presence of those present and appreciated openly. When meeting a business associate for the first meeting, the dress code is expected to be official. Do not dress casually as this does not augur well.
A business meeting with American executives is straight to the point, takes shorter time and is to a great extent decision oriented. American does not consider a business card as important as other business associates from the oriental culture. If no business card is offered at the meeting t do not take offence, they do not place too much emphasis on it. Keeping time during such meetings is necessary and it is considered rude to arrive late for a meeting. New York boast of some of the most advanced meeting places in the whole world.
Most of the meeting places or conferences in New York have the state of the art facilities required for meeting places. American etiquette when it comes to eating and doing business slightly differs from the rest of the world. It is imperative before setting out on a business meeting to understand how Americans prefer doing business and what makes them tick. Americans are humorous people and love talking while doing business at the same time. Do not consider this rude, it is part of their culture.