Business Etiquette – Evelyn D.

Antiporda,
Southern, Eastern, MSBA-HRM, CHP
Lecturer
Western Europe
SOUTHERN EUROPE

ITALY
P U N C T UA L I T Y
• Italians don’t prioritize punctuality
• Still, plan to arrive on time
• Expect delays in your meetings

GREETING
• E x t e n d a h a n d s h a ke
• Avoid hugging or kissing
• Kissing from cheek to cheek is only common to family and friends
• A woman should always extend her hand first
SOUTHERN EUROPE

ITALY
BUSINESS CARDS
• Often exchanged at the beginning of the meeting
• Upon receiving one, read it carefully and place it on the table in front of you
• Keep it properly later

• I t ’s a g o o d i d e a t o t ra n s l a t e y o u r b u s i n e s s c a r d t o I t a l i a n
• A d d r e s s c o u n t e r p a r t b y t h e i r t i t l e s a n d l a s t n a m e s u n l e s s a s ke d o t h e r w i s e

DURING THE MEETING

• Prepare your materials on time
• Have an Italian translation to avoid misunderstanding
• If possible hire a interpreter
• Tr y t o s p e a k a b i t o f I t a l i a n
SOUTHERN EUROPE

ITALY
DURING THE MEETING
• Meetings are held for the purpose of sharing ideas, suggestions and opinions
• T h e y t a ke t h e i r t i m e i n m a k i n g d e c i s i o n s
• Evaluating advantages and risks slowly

• Don’t get irritated or offended when you are interrupted

DRESS CODE
Both conservative and stylish
Dark colored suits, ties and stylish shoes for men
Fa s h i o n a b l e y e t c o n s e r v a t i v e d r e s s e s o r b u s i n e s s s u i t s f o r w o m e n
SOUTHERN EUROPE

ITALY
BUSINESS DINING & GIFT GIVING
• Keep the business discussions limited
• Eat the bread by itself or eat it while eating the main course
• Italians don’t share their pizza
• Use your knife and fork to cut pizza
• It’s inappropriate to ask the waiter to cut it for you

• Never use a knife while eating pasta

• Most Italians don’t use spoon to assist fork in twirling your pasta
• Don’t slurp your pasta
• Strips : layer them on your fork
• Round or square pastas : cut them with your fork, never with a knife
SOUTHERN EUROPE

ITALY
BUSINESS DINING & GIFT GIVING
• Having wine along with your pizza is not advisable
• They would rather have soda or beer when eating pizza

• Don’t order cappuccino in the afternoon

• They only drink this during the morning part of the day

• Gift giving is not common unless a familiar relationship has been formed and established
SOUTHERN EUROPE

GREECE
• Personal relationships are important
• Nepotism is acceptable
• Businessmen favor and commonly hire close relatives
• Ve r y f a m i l y o r i e n t e d
• Prefer face-to-face contact with people they work with

P U N C T UA L I T Y
• Greeks are not conscious about punctuality
• Plan to still arrive on time
• Don’t get offended if your counterpart is late for the meeting
SOUTHERN EUROPE

GREECE
GREETING
• I f i t ’s y o u r f i r s t t i m e t o m e e t , s h a ke h a n d s
• Hugging and kissing on the cheeks is reserved for family and close friends

BUSINESS CARD
• It is a good idea to have a Greek translation on one side of your business card
• Present your business card Greek side -up
SOUTHERN EUROPE

GREECE
DURING THE MEETING
• It might be appropriate to hire am interpreter
• Tr a n s l a t e p r i n t e d m a t e r i a l s a n d p r e s e n t a t i o n s
• Don’t rush trying to get down to business
• It is normal for Greeks to negotiate and haggle.
• They can be loud and sometimes chaotic
• They are fond of using hand gestures and interrupting the person speaking
• They are passionate; might come across as theatrical when expressing themselves.
SOUTHERN EUROPE

GREECE
DRESS CODE
• Conservative and stylish
• Business suits for men
• Smart dresses for women

BUSINESS DINING & GIFT GIVING

• Giving gifts is not necessary but appreciated
• I f y o u ’ r e i n v i t e d t o y o u r c o l l e a g u e o r b u s i n e s s p a r t n e r ’s h o m e , i t ’s b e s t t o b r i n g a g i f t l i ke c h o c o l a t e s ,
wine or flowers.
EA S T E R N E U R O P E

POLAND
• Has been the most successful of all the countries in central and eastern Europe on turning into a liberal
a n d f r e e - m a r ke t e c o n o m y.
• Poles are formal when conducting business meetings.
• They prefer doing face -to-face rather than doing it through phone or email

P U N C T UA L I T Y
• Arrive on time
• T h e y t a ke p u n c t u a l i t y v e r y s e r i o u s l y

GREETING
• G i v e a f i r m h a n d s h a ke a n d a d i r e c t e y e c o n t a c t
• I f y o u ’ r e a w o m a n , t a ke t h e i n i t i a t i v e t o e x t e n d y o u r h a n d
• Address them by their title – not by their first name
EA S T E R N E U R O P E

POLAND
BUSINESS CARD
• Exchanging these are usually done at the start of the meeting
• A business card in English is acceptable

DURING THE MEETING

• Maintain eye contact when conversing
• Avoid looking around while speaking and try to smile
• I t ’s b e s t t o t r a n s l a t e p r i n t e d m a t e r i a l s
• A v o i d m a k i n g j o ke s e s p e c i a l l y o n f i r s t m e e t i n g
• Be patient and don’t get frustrated with your business counterparts.
• Don’t get offended if your business partner vocalizes and expresses his/her frustrations
EA S T E R N E U R O P E

POLAND
DRESS CODE
• Dark-colored suits for men with ties
• Dark-colored skirt and dresses for women

BUSINESS DINING &GIFT GIVING

• M a ke s u r e t o a r r i v e o n t i m e
• I n r e s t a u r a n t : i f y o u ’ r e n o t f a m i l i a r, t h e y ’ r e h a p p y t o o f f e r s u g g e s t i o n s
• A t h o m e : m a ke s u r e t o b r i n g a s m a l l g i f t
• T h e h o s t w o u l d m o s t l i ke l y o f f e r y o u a l c o h o l i c d r i n k s
• Accept the offer unless you have a good reason
EA S T E R N E U R O P E

CZECH REPUBLIC
• H a s a h i g h i n c o m e a n d e x p o r t - o r i e n t e d s o c i a l m a r ke t e c o n o m y.
• Business relationships are built on trust
• I n i t i a l m e e t i n g s a r e d o n e f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f g e t t i n g f a m i l i a r w i t h e a c h o t h e r.

P U N C T UA L I T Y
• Arrive on time

GREETING
• E x t e n d y o u r h a n d a n d g i v e a f i r m h a n d s h a ke , w i t h e y e c o n t a c t

BUSINESS CARD
• Exchanging these is done at the start of the meeting, not during the meeting
• Business cars printed in English are acceptable
• N o n e e d t o t ra n s l a t e
EA S T E R N E U R O P E

CZECH REPUBLIC
DURING THE MEETING
• M e e t i n g s s ta r t w i t h a s m a l l ta l k
• A b i t o f h u m o r i s f i n e b u t d o n ’ t o v e rd o i t
• P re p a re p re s e n ta t i o n a h e a d o f t i m e
• D e ta i l e d p re s e n ta t i o n w i t h v i s u a l s w o u l d b e a p p re c i a te d
• B u s i n e s s i s c o n d u c te d s l o w l y, s t r i c t l y a d h e r i n g t o t h e i r p ro t o c o l – h av e p a t i e n c e .
EA S T E R N E U R O P E

CZECH REPUBLIC
DRESS CODE
• Conservative
• Dark-colored suits and ties for men
• Dark-colored business suits or business dress for women
• Avoid bright colored shirts and dresses
• Never dress provocatively
BUSINESS DINING & GIFT GIVING
• T h e y u s u a l l y t a ke m e a l s i n a s l o w p h a s e
• Don’t rush into eating your meal; trying to get down to business
• They don’t expect receiving gifts especially at first meeting
• A small souvenir from your country is acceptable and would be appreciated
WESTERN EUROPE

FRANCE
P U N C T UA L I T Y
• Strive to come on time
• They are quite relaxed when it comes to appointments
• If your counterpart arrives late, don’t be offended or expect apologies for arriving late
• Wo r k i n g l o n g h o u r s i s c o m m o n

GREETING
• A l i g h t a n d b r i s k h a n d s h a ke i s a p p r o p r i a t e
• A f i r m h a n d s h a ke m i g h t g i v e t h e w r o n g i m p r e s s i o n
• Kissing on the cheeks is also common
• I t ’s b e t t e r t o s t i c k w i t h a l i g h t h a n d s h a ke e s p e c i a l l y a t f i r s t m e e t i n g s
• D o n ’ t b e s h o c ke d w h e n t h e y k i s s y o u o n t h e c h e e k s
WESTERN EUROPE

FRANCE
GR EET I N G
• Addressing counterpart : use “monsieur ” or “madame”
• You may only call them by their first name if invited to do so

BUSINESS CARDS
• Exchanged immediately after greetings
• Not necessary to have it translated; deciding to do otherwise will be appreciated

DURING THE MEETING

• Personal questions and topics should be avoided
• Negotiations in business are usually conducted slowly
• N e v e r u s e t h e “o k ” s i g n ( f o r m i n g a c i r c l e w i t h t h e t h u m b a n d f o r e f i n g e r ) ; I t m e a n “ z e r o ” o r “ u s e l e s s ”
to them; Better use a “ Thumbs -up”
WESTERN EUROPE

FRANCE
DRESS CODE
• Formal
• Conservative suits with stark -white shirts underneath and dark -colored ties for men
• Conservative yet elegant business suits or dresses for women
• Soft-colored dresses with matching blazer is also acceptable

BUSINESS DINING & GIFT GIVING

Rest your hands or the lower part of your forearm on the table and not on your lap
Emptying your glass means you want more wine
Gift giving is not common
It is more common to invite people for a special dinner at a nice restaurant to show gratitude
WESTERN EUROPE

GERMANY
P U N C T UA L I T Y
• Never be late
• I t ’s b e s t t o a r r i v e t e n m i n u t e s e a r l y

GREETINGS
• A f i r m a n d b r i e f h a n d s h a ke i s c o m m o n a s a g r e e t i n g
• Often accompanied with “Gutten tag ” (Good day) or “Hallo” (Hello).
• H a n d s h a ke s a r e d o n e u p o n d e p a r t i n g f r o m o n e a n o t h e r
• Address others by their titles with last names
• Yo u m a y a l s o u s e ‘ H e r r ’ w h i c h m e a n s ‘ M r.’ o r ‘ F r a u ’ w h i c h m e a n s ‘ M r s .’.
WESTERN EUROPE

GERMANY
BUSINESS CARD
• Exchanged only with people who you want to develop s good business relationship with

DURING THE MEETING

• They don’t start meetings with small talks
• They talk in a direct manner
• Ambitious and strong in their point
• Be emotionally tough and don’t be offended when it gets a little heated.
• Prepare your materials and presentation ahead of time
WESTERN EUROPE

GERMANY
DRESS CODE
• For men : dark-colored suits with solid ties and white shirt underneath
• For women : formal suits and conservative dresses ; avoid wearing too much or extravagant accessories
• Best to look simple yet elegant

BUSINESS DINING & GIFT GIVING

• Business discussed in a more casual atmosphere
• Wa i t u n t i l e v e r y p e r s o n ' s f o o d h a s b e e n s e r v e d
• U s u a l l y, t h e h o s t w o u l d s a y “g u t t e n A p p e t i t ” w h i c h m e a n s , “e n j o y y o u r m e a l ” b e f o r e e v e r y o n e s t a r t s
eating
• O n l y t a ke w h a t y o u c a n e a t
• Gift giving is not common; Might be inappropriate to give a business gift
CONCLUSION

• Practice them accordingly with poise and confidence

• B u i l d i n g a g o o d r e l a t i o n s h i p i s a ke y t o g r e a t s u c c e s s .
• “ I t ’s n o t a b o u t t h e r u l e s , i t ’s a b o u t t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p s ”.
- Lydia Ramsey

• Be culturally sensitive and always try to observe.

• R E M E M B E R : Yo u r p u r p o s e o n s t u d y i n g a n d p r a c t i c i n g t h e b u s i n e s s e t i q u e t t e i n o t h e r c u l t u r e i s t o
m a ke o t h e r f e e l c o m f o r t a b l e a n d r e s p e c t e d