The United States isn't the only country with etiquette for business. France
and Great Britain also have set rules as to how a person should conduct him- or herself in business. Some rules are basically the same and some are quite
different.
In France, certain things are important to employers when choosing employees. Many memos, letters, theories and formulas, are used when selecting an employee. The employers always use first names in private with their employees and last names in public.
Employers do not socialize with employees after hours. And the hours employees usually work is a normal 9-5 day with exceptions for the type of job and all employees get a two hour lunch break. The common French arrival time is 15 minutes late for an interview or for arriving at a job, and this is not punishable.
Also during interviews in France, smoking and the drinking of wine are commonly involved.
In Great Britain, there are few rules and the atmosphere of business and interviews is much more laid back and relaxed than the United States and France. Most interviews take place in a pub (or bar) and involve dinner and drinking. If you are not considerably late it will probably not be mentioned nor cared about.
During an interview or during business hours, last names are used. The conversation consists mainly of humor and sarcasm which you wouldn't usually find in a business type situation or definitely an interview. The British do require that the employee or interviewee not wear a striped tie or use a fake accent. The fake accent insults them terribly and is not a good way to start out.
