Slovaks maintain a typically Western distance (about three feet) when conversing. Greetings are expected, and consist of "good morning," "good day," and "good evening." "Good night" is reserved for the last leave taking of the evening. Both men and women shake right hands with acquaintances and newly introduced strangers, and men and women may kiss close friends and relatives on both cheeks during greeting and leave taking. For business and other professional activities, men are expected to wear suits and ties, while women still adhere to a code that involves dresses or two-piece suits with skirts or skirts and blouses.
While direct communication is valued in Slovakia, there is also an emphasis placed on finessing what is being said so that information is delivered in a sensitive way. Often, the level of the relationship will determine how direct someone is. For newly established and more formal relationships, a great deal of emphasis will be placed on diplomacy. But once a relationship has passed through the initial phases, people feel more comfortable speaking frankly with each other. Since tradition is valued, it is often helpful to give a bit of historical background or context before starting a meeting or new program. Slovaks do not need a tremendous amount of background information to feel comfortable proceeding with a transaction, although they do require some information and may ask questions until they feel comfortable and are able to proceed satisfactorily. Body language, body posture and tonal delivery are important enhancements to the verbal message, adding emphasis or additional meaning to the words.
Slovakia - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette
Overview: Slovakia has a small business community and s a very relationship based culture. People are informal and happy to work on a first name basis. They enjoy charm and good humor and tend to be indirect in public but frank in private. Slovaks prefer face-to-face meetings and telephone communication to faxes and emails but written communication, especially minutes and action points, are useful ways of cementing understanding.
Adaptability: The Slovakian population has proved its excellent ability to adapt to new market conditions, through its sense of enterprise, commercial talent, management skills and flexibility.
Relationship-building: It is not the custom to use a person’s first name on first addressing them. Instead, use a title such as: Doctor, Engineer, etc.
Personal relationships are crucial in successful business. Be prepared to spend time on this. Also be prepared for the introductory glass of Slivovice (plum brandy) at the start of the day’s meetings!
Centralised decision-making: Leadership is top down with decision making lying with a few, or one, senior manager. Teams are dominated by a senior figure who takes decisions and delegates tasks. Consensus is not seen to be necessary. People are on time for meetings and agendas and action plans are kept to. People follow deadlines without being reminded.
Meetings: It is recommended to start a business meeting with polite conversation of a general nature, accompanied by a toast with a local alcoholic drink. Only after that, should the conversation turn to business matters.
Gifts: Acceptable gifts for business meetings are items for the office, quality pens (including pens with your company logo) or specially selected wines. On receiving an invitation to a home, luxury chocolate, a scarf for the hostess or flowers are welcome gifts.
Holidays: Try to avoid business meetings in the months of July and August or around the times of national holidays.