To greet people in an appropriate way is the first step of building up relationship. However, customary greeting vary from culture to culture. In intercultural business communication, you only get one chance to make a first impression, so a good professional greeting can go a long way to getting things off to a positive start in a business setting.

First of all, stand up when you are getting ready to greet someone. If you are seated at a desk or table, move out from behind it and walk toward the person you are greeting so that you don’t have to lean over anything to greet him. And then make eye contact with the person and smile. Say ‘hello’ and introduce yourself. Always provide your full name when introducing yourself in a business setting. Make sure to use polite language such as ’please’ and ‘thank you’. Shaking hands is common in most English speaking countries. The handshake should be firm but not too much of a squeeze. It should last about three seconds. It is considered an insult to refuse a handshake.

Notes:

(1) vary from 大相径庭

a. The importance of being an Olympian will vary from athlete to athlete.  

参加奥运会对每个运动员而言意义不同。

b. Prices vary from one shop to another.  

各家商店价格不同。

c. They never vary from the law of nature.  

他们从不违反自然规律。

(2) business communication 商务交往

a. The invention of the fax machine made business communication much more convenient.  

传真机的发明使商务往来变得方便。

b. Fax, abbreviated from facsimile transmission, is a widely used for business communication. 

传真, 缩写从传真传输, 是一广泛二手的为商务沟通。

c. Communication: Business communication, personnel management, human relations.  

交际学: 商务交际 、 人事管理 、 人际关系。

(3) professional a. 职业的 

a. He seemed fond of her in a strictly professional way.  

他似乎只是出于职业缘故而喜欢她。

b. I'm a novice at these things, Lieutenant. You're the professional.  

中尉，做这些事情我是新手，你是行家。

c. I've always kept my private and professional life separate.  

我总是将私生活和工作分开。

(4) insult n. 冒犯

a. She spat the name out like an insult.  

她像骂人似的说出了那个名字。

b. Forgive me, I don't mean to insult you.  

请原谅，我并非有意侮辱你。

c. He felt the smart of their insult for many days.  

他受到他们的侮辱后好多天都感到难受。

参考译文：

适当的问候是建立人际关系的第一步。然而，不同文化中的问候习俗也大相径庭。在国际商务交往过程中，你只有一次给人留下初次印象的机会。所以，在商务交往中，一次好的职业问候能让生意有一个良好的开局。

首先，当你准备跟人打招呼时要起身相迎。如果正坐在桌子后面，就要走出来迎向要问候的人，以避免趴在桌子上。还要微笑着与对方对视。同时，要说“你好”并做自我介绍。商务场合中一定要介绍全名，要使用诸如“请”和“谢谢”这样的礼貌语言。握手在说英语的国家很普遍，握手应该坚定，但不能太用力。握手应该持续三秒钟，拒绝别人的握手会冒犯对方。