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Business
Praga
Business
Business Etiquette
By and large the Czechs are a warm people who greatly value hospitality. In some instances, when dining with Czech business colleagues, it will emerge that the bill has quietly been settled. If this happens, business visitors should accept gracefully (considering the disparity in Czech and Western wages, this may also be a matter of personal pride) and try to find some later means of showing appreciation. Czech society is still largely male dominated, especially with older businessmen. If invited to dine at a colleague’s home, a small gift is appropriate - a bottle of wine or flowers are best. When offering or accepting a lift with a business colleague, the favoured location is the backseat.
Initial business meetings are often serious affairs, during which even business partners refer to each other by title and surname. The use of forenames is a mark of friendship; however, using them without permission is seen as insulting or demeaning. Degrees are considered important and should always be used in addressing correspondence (only the doctorate is used in direct address). Meetings can take longer than expected and be more formal than the average Western businessperson is accustomed to. However, as the old Communist bureaucratic ways give ground to capitalism, business lunches and such meetings are gaining popularity, especially with the younger generation. One should not expect work-related meals to be the norm though.
Office hours are generally 0830-1700 and punctuality is essential - colleagues should be informed of any unavoidable delays. Dress is conservative for older businesses, while new companies tend to be more relaxed. A jacket and tie for men or smart suit for women is a good bet for first time business visitors. A firm handshake and maintaining eye contact are seen as signs of honesty and sincerity, while overloud talking and interrupting are construed as attempts to obscure issues. At first meetings, business cards will be exchanged and an offer of coffee or drinks is common.
Initial business meetings are often serious affairs, during which even business partners refer to each other by title and surname. The use of forenames is a mark of friendship; however, using them without permission is seen as insulting or demeaning. Degrees are considered important and should always be used in addressing correspondence (only the doctorate is used in direct address). Meetings can take longer than expected and be more formal than the average Western businessperson is accustomed to. However, as the old Communist bureaucratic ways give ground to capitalism, business lunches and such meetings are gaining popularity, especially with the younger generation. One should not expect work-related meals to be the norm though.
Office hours are generally 0830-1700 and punctuality is essential - colleagues should be informed of any unavoidable delays. Dress is conservative for older businesses, while new companies tend to be more relaxed. A jacket and tie for men or smart suit for women is a good bet for first time business visitors. A firm handshake and maintaining eye contact are seen as signs of honesty and sincerity, while overloud talking and interrupting are construed as attempts to obscure issues. At first meetings, business cards will be exchanged and an offer of coffee or drinks is common.
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Inscrita en el R.M. de Madrid Tomo 15.973, F. 206, Sec. 8, Hoja M-270179 . C.I.F. B82826991 Gran Vía, 22 Dcdo. 4º Madrid, 28013 Spain.
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Inscrita en el R.M. de Madrid Tomo 15.973, F. 206, Sec. 8, Hoja M-270179 . C.I.F. B82826991 Gran Vía, 22 Dcdo. 4º Madrid, 28013 Spain.
Tel. (+34) 913 605 670 Fax: (+34) 902 196 339