How to be polite in Romania

There are no big differences between the good manners in Romania and the ones in other European countries, because there are no major cultural differences. Kissing on the cheek Romanians kiss each other, men/women to female friends, when they meet after a long period of time and when saying "goodbye". This is not applicable to business meetings. Old custom In Romania is still usual that men kiss the hand of women. This is an old custom, and I think it is old-fashioned. Usually, young men do this very rarely and this is why when it is happening to you, it looks weird. Sign of respect When you first meet someone, you say your name and shake the other persons hand. It is recommendable to shake hands firmly and to look at the person you meet. You have to address to the other by its surname preceded by Mr. or Mrs., until youre invited to address to them by their first name. Business customs Romanian business customs are formal. It is recommendable to have a kind of personal relationship with your business client. Invitation to lunch is very common and it is regarded as an investment in a good, trusting relationship.

Romanians are very proud of their national heritage and any effort to speak Romanian is highly appreciated. They will never laugh hearing a foreigner making mistakes or correct him directly. We usually tend to repeat in a correct manner what the other person said.