Business and Travel Etiquette in Europe
Meetings
Meetings in the U.S. are very different compared to meetings in Europe. In contrast to the U.S.,
where managers typically say little and listen, European managers tend to ask a lot of questions and interact. Meetings in the U.S. are comparatively brief and focused. In Europe, expect lengthier and more wide-ranging meetings .
Shake hands with everyone. It’s a typical greeting; in fact, in many offices, colleagues shake hands with one another every morning and, in some countries, so do groups of friends who are getting together. If you are seated, be sure to stand up and then shake hands when facing the person.
Introductions are very important and someone making an introduction
will introduce the less important person to the more important one (Herr Meier, please meet Herr Schmidt, would indicate that Herr Meier is the more senior).
Meeting attendees in Europe are expected to be involved and focused on the meeting, not engaged texting or other online conversations.
Don’t expect punctuality in many countries but don’t be late yourself.
Many cultures consider meetings a place for the exchange of ideas and discussion but not the place to make decisions.
In some countries, people may be reticent to give their own opinions at a meeting (this is especially true in Spain). Look for non-verbal clues to fill in the blanks.
Dining and dining out
In most countries, waiting tables is an honorable profession and 
waiters are generally treated with respect.
Asking for water will typically get you bottled water, or a choice of sparkling or still. Tap water is served on demand, without ice cubes. It is not a popular choice.
Europeans don’t move the fork back and forth from the left hand to the right. There are also regional differences in how forks and knives are used; for example, the British spear food with the fork while the French push food on top of the fork. Visitors are not expected to adhere to local custom in this area.
Whatever you do, do NOT eat with your hands. Everything from pizza to fruit should be eaten with utensils.
Table manners are different as well. 
Always keep both hands on the table, not in your lap. Leave your wrists on the edge of the table. In addition, in most countries, it is common to say something such as “bonne appétit” or “Guten Appetit” (equivalent to “enjoy your meal”) before eating.
Wait until everyone has been served before eating and do not drink until everyone has something to drink and a toast has been made, typically by the host.
In several countries, including Germany, if your table was set with a paper napkin, fold it after eating and place it to the left of your plate (the same goes for cloth napkins for different reasons). This helps ensure that the paper napkin will end up in the recycling bin.
Business dining
Breakfast and lunch meetings in the U.S. are relatively short, perhaps no longer than an hour. Just like standard meetings, their gastronomical counterparts are efficient and short. Restaurants seem to echo this practice by serving food quickly and turning tables.
Europeans take a far more relaxed approach to business dining. Breakfast meetings are less typical. One simply does not start to talk business upon sitting down. Indeed, any discussion may wait until after the main course has come and gone.
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