Reading Excuse my French, but pleasure before business? by Peggy Hollinger (in the Financial Times February Edition of Global Traveler, full piece requires registration) brought back a discussion Valeria of Conversation Agent, myself and many others had back in May 2001.
A lady related meeting someone in Aspen (Colorado) and being asked over and over what she did. The person asking that question was perplexed by the fact that her answers did not relate to work but rather to things she was interested in.
One person wanted to know how the other made money, the other one tried to share who she was.
So we should remember to show some manners and let our personality shine through before we get down to the nitti gritty of business.
More on Etiquette: Tis’ the season for Elements of Etiquette, Going Abroad