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Saturday, November 27, 2010

Facts and Statistics

Location: Northern Europe, Scandinavia, bordering Norway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia 1,313 km

Capital: Helsinki

Climate: cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes

Population: 5,214,512 (July 2004 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Finn 93%, Swede 6%, Sami 0.11%, Roma 0.12%, Tatar 0.02%

Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Russian Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1%

Government: republic

Language in Finland

Of the two official languages of Finland, Finnish is the first language spoken by 93% of the country's 5 million inhabitants. Finnish, unlike Scandinavian languages, is not Germanic but in a class of its own. Theoretically, it is related to Hungarian but in practice the two are not mutually comprehensible.

The other official language, Swedish, is spoken by around 6% of the population, most of whom live in the south west and are also speakers of Finnish. Sami is a minority language in Scandinavia that is spoken by around 2,000 people living in the north of Finland, which is 0.03% of the Finnish population.

Finnish Culture & Society

Nordic but not Scandinavian

. Finland along with Iceland is Nordic rather than Scandinavian.
. This is reflected in their language which is not Germanic in origin.
. While many social values are the same, there are subtle differences with Scandinavians.

Finnish Egalitarianism

. Finland is an egalitarian society, which is reflected in their language, which employs gender-neutral words.
. Finns are very modest and downplay their own accomplishments.
. They view being humble and modest as virtues.

Finnish Behaviour

. Finns believe there is a proper way to act in any circumstance and always expect courteous behaviour.
. Talk in moderate tones and do not do anything to call attention to yourself.
. Serial conversation is the rule - i.e. listen to the speaker, wait for them to finish and then reply. Interrupting is rude.

Fancy a Sauna?

. The sauna has a special role in the domestic life of Finns.
. It is an experience shared with family and friends.
. Important business meetings may be followed by a sauna in which the conversation is continued on a more informal basis.
. Saunas are found everywhere: At the end of calendar year 2002, there were 1,212,000 saunas in private apartments and another 800,000 in summer cottages and public swimming pools. This translates to more than 2,000,000 saunas for a population of 5.2 million.

Etiquette and Customs in Finland

Finnish Meeting Etiquette

. Greetings are formal, with a firm handshake, direct eye contact, and a smile.
. It is common practice to repeat your first and surname while shaking hands.
. When greeting a married couple, the wife should be greeted first.

Finnish Gift Giving Etiquette

. If you are invited to a Finn's home, bring flowers, good quality chocolates or wine to the host.
. Flowers should not be given in even numbers.
. Do not give white or yellow flowers since they are used at funerals.
. Do not give potted plants.
. Gifts are opened when received.

Finnish Dining Etiquette

If you are invited to a Finn's home:

. Arrive on time. Finns are punctual in both business and social situations.
. Remove your outdoor shoes before entering the house.
. Contact the hostess ahead of time to see if she would like you to bring a dish.
. Offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served.
. If you are invited for coffee and cake, there may be as many as 7 cakes to sample.
. Do not discuss business.
. Thank the hosts for the hospitality before saying good-bye to the other guests.

Table Manners

. Wait to be told where to sit.
. Table manners are Continental -- hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
. Always keep your hands visible when eating. Keep your wrists resting on the edge of the table.
. Do not begin eating until the hostess invites you to start.
. Bread and shrimp are the only foods eaten by hand. Even fruit is eaten with utensils.
. Accept second helpings.
. When passing salt and pepper shakers, put them on the table within the person's reach. Do not give them directly.
. Men should keep their jacket on at meals unless the host removes his.
. Finish everything on your plate. Finns do not appreciate waste.
. When you have finished eating, place your knife and fork across your plate with the prongs facing down and the handles facing to the right.

Finnish Business Etiquette and Protocol

Relationships & CommunicationBusiness etiquette finland

. Finns are transactional and do not need long-standing personal relationships in order to conduct business.
. The basic business style is formal - i.e. there is relatively little small talk and Finns prefer people to speak succinctly and to focus purely on business.
. Finns do not require face-to- face contact and, in fact, are quite comfortable using e- mail.
. Finns are excellent time managers who prefer to organize their workday in order to accomplish as much as possible.
. Finns are interested in long- term relationships.
. Relationship building often takes place outside the office: in a restaurant or the sauna.
. Never turn down an invitation to use the sauna, as it is an entrenched part of the Finnish culture.
. Finns place a great value on speaking plainly and openly.
. What someone says is accepted at face value and this is a culture where "a man's word is his bond" and will be treated as seriously as a written contract, so verbal commitments are considered agreements.
. Finns are direct communicators. Expect your colleagues to tell you what they think rather than what you want to hear.
. Professional differences are not viewed as personal attacks.

Business Meeting Etiquette

. Appointments are necessary and should be made in advance by telephone, e- mail, or fax.
. It is extremely difficult to meet with people without a formal appointment.
. Do not schedule meetings between June and August as many Finns take vacation during the summer
. You should arrive at meetings on time or slightly early.
. Telephone immediately if you will be detained more than 5 minutes. Being punctual is a sign of respect and efficiency.
. Expect a bare minimum of small talk, if any, before getting into the business discussion.
. Send an agenda before the meeting as well as the biographies of your team.
. Meetings begin and end on time.
. Avoid hype, exaggerated claims, or bells and whistles in your presentation.
. Finns seldom ask questions. The presenter is expected to make his/her case with sufficient detail that their Finnish colleagues do not need to ask questions.
. There is no taboo on humour in the business environment.

Dress Etiquette

. Business attire is stylish and conservative.
. Men should wear dark coloured, conservative business suits.
. Women should wear conservative business suits, trouser suits, or dresses.

Business Card Etiquette

. Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual.
. Present your business card so it is readable to the recipient.
. Treat someone's business card with respect as it symbolizes the way you will treat them.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Facts and Statistics

Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia

Capital: Tallinn

Climate: Maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers

Population: 1,341,664 (July 2004 est.)

Ethnic groups: Estonian 65.3%, Russian 28.1%, Ukrainian 2.5%, Belarusian 1.5%, Finn 1%, other 1.6% (1998)

Religions: Evangelical Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Estonian Orthodox, Baptist, Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Word of Life, Jewish

Language in Estonia

Estonian is the official language of Estonia. It is spoken by about 1.1 million people in the country itself and then thousands of others outside it too. Estonian is a Finno-Ugric language and is closely related to Finnish and distantly to Hungarian. It has been influenced by German, Russian, Swedish and Latvian, though it is not related to them.

Estonian Culture & Society

Religion

o During Soviet administration religion became a form of silent protest for most Estonians.
o Since independence religious organizations have again begun to appear.
The largest church is the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church.
o In 1989, the largest churches established the Council of Estonian Churches (CEC) with the purpose of uniting the different churches to promote spiritual development for all Estonians

The Role of the Family Map of Estonia

o The family is still the central focus of social life.
o The make up of the family is usually "nuclear" in cities and "extended" in rural areas although this is a slight generalisation.
o Family ties and very close which means newly weds will often live with parents until on their feet and the old are generally looked after rather than put in care homes.

Hierarchy in Estonian Society

o Estonia is a hierarchical society.
o Age, experience and position earn respect.
o Older people are generally viewed as wiser and as a result revered and honoured. Elders are introduced first and in general are treated much like royalty.
o Those in senior positions bear the responsibility to make decisions in the interest of the group.
o Due to seniority titles are very important when addressing people.
o It is expected that you will use a person's title and their surname until invited to use their first name.

Cultural Traditions

o Estonian culture as an identity is very strong.
o Oral traditions especially have played a key role in preserving traditions, stories and customs during Soviet administration.
o Singing is a very Estonian activity and the Estonians are known to have sung their way to freedom during the "Singing Revolution" of 1989-91.

Manners

o Estonians on the whole are quiet and reserved.
o They tend to speak softly and do not like to draw attention to themselves.
o Being rational, calm and not going to emotional extremes are all qualities that respected.
o At first Estonians can come across as aloof. Once a relationship warms up this becomes less so.

 Etiquette and Customs in Estonia

Meeting and Greeting

o Greetings can come across as rather formal and rather reserved.
o Men should initiate greetings with women and the younger person always greets the older person.
o When meeting someone make sure you are stood up, offer direct eye contact and give a nice firm handshake.
o The most common greeting is "tere" ("hello").
Titles are very important. "Härra" is for Mr, "Prova" is Mrs and "Preili" is Miss. All should be followed with the surname.
o Only use first names once you have been invited to do so.

Gift Giving Etiquette

o Gifts are usually exchanged for birthdays and at Christmas.
o Gifts need not be expensive as it is more about the thought than monetary worth.
o If you are invited to an Estonian's house, a decent gift is a bring a box of chocolates or flowers.
o Flowers should be given in odd numbers.
o Gifts are usually opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

o Arrive on time. Punctuality is expected. Call if running late.
o Check to see if shoes are being worn in the house.
o Do not expect a tour of the house - homes are private.
o Dress conservatively.
o Try and offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served. This will be turned down but is nonetheless polite.
o Do not discuss business.
o Reciprocate any hospitality received.

Table Manners

o Table manners are relatively formal in Estonia.
o Remain standing until invited to sit down.
o Table manners are Continental, i.e. the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
o Do not begin eating until the hostess starts or someone says "head isu" ("good appetite").
o Avoid resting your elbows of the table.
o Compliment the hostess on the meal.
o Try to finish everything on your plate.

Business Etiquette and Protocol

Meeting & GreetingEtiquette in Estonia

o Estonians are quite formal and may not come across as quote cold or even friendly to people from more informal cultures. This should not be interpreted so.
o Once the relationship warms up the communication style becomes a lot less stiff.
o Shake hands with everyone at the meeting.
o Remember it is rude to greet someone while seated.
o Handshakes should be firm and confident.
o Maintain steady eye contact while shaking hands.
o Try and wait for a woman to extend her hand.
o Address businesspeople by their professional title and their surname.
o If someone does not have a professional title, use "Härra" to address a man and "Prova" to address a woman.
o Wait until invited before moving to a first name basis.

Business Card Etiquette

o Business cards are exchanged without any fuss or ritual.
o Present your business card so it is readable to the recipient.
o Treat someone's business card with respect.
o Having the other side of your card translated into Estonian is a nice gesture.

Communication Style

o Estonians mean what they say and do what they say they will do.
o They expect foreign businesspeople to keep their word.
o Failing to do so can cause irreparable harm to a business relationship.
o They are generally polite and courteous speakers.
o Estonians are somewhat pragmatic and reserved, especially in the early stages of developing a business relationship.
o Estonians are not emotive speakers.
o If you are from a culture where hand gestures are robust, you may wish to moderate them to conform to local practices.
o Soft voices are the norm. If you have a booming voice, you may wish to moderate it when conducting business with Estonians.
o Estonians do not always respond to what has been said, especially if they are uncomfortable with the subject or if they need more time to organize their thoughts.
o Although they are direct communicators, Estonians temper their directness in order to protect the feelings of all concerned.
o They are slow to pay compliments and may become suspicious of compliments offered too readily and without sufficient reason.
o Passive silence is very much part of the communication style.
o Estonians are not fond of conversational overlap and will not think highly of someone who interrupts them while they are speaking.
o Estonians value their good reputations. Therefore, be careful not to criticize or embarrass anyone publicly.

Business Meeting Etiquette

o Meetings generally begin with a welcoming speech from the most senior Estonian at the meeting. The most senior person from your team should respond with a short speech.
o It is common to continue meetings over lunch or dinner, although the conversation will tend to be social, rather than business oriented.
o These seemingly social occasions are an opportunity for your Estonian colleagues to get to know you as an individual and develop a personal relationship.
o Since this is a culture that prefers to do business with friends, consider time spent at meals as important as time spent at the negotiating table.
o Although Estonians juxtapose business and social situations, it is important to maintain a formal demeanour at meetings.
o Estonians dislike an overly casual attitude towards business, especially from foreigners.
o It generally takes several meetings to reach a decision. In most cases, decisions are still made at the top of the company, so unless you are meeting with the top echelon of the company, what you propose will have to make its way up the chain of command for approval.
o Older businesspeople are generally only fluent in Estonian or Russian. Therefore, you may wish to have an interpreter with you at meetings.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Facts and Statistics

Bangladesh Flag

Capital: Dhaka

Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India

Climate: tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)

Population: 144,319,628 (July 2005 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Bengali 98%, tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims

Religions: Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1%

Languages in Bangladesh

The official language is Bangla, also known as Bengali. It is the first language of more than 98 percent of the population. It is written in its own script, derived from that of Sanskrit. Many people in Bangladesh also speak English and Urdu.

Bangla vocabulary shows many influences. These include a strong Islamic influence seen in the greetings of "Salaam aleykum" (Peace be unto you) and "Khoda hafez" (God Bless you) and nouns from the Arab world such as "dokan" (shop), "tarikh"(date), "kolom"(pen) and "bonduk" (gun). In West Bengal the Hindu influence is greater with the use of the Hindu greeting "Namashkar".

English has also had an influence on Bangla. During the days of the Raj many words of English origin such as "tebil" (table), "tiffin" (archaic in modern day English meaning snack box) entered Bangla. In more recent time the ever rising global nature of English has lead to words such as "television", "telephone", "video" and "radio" being adopted by Bangla. However, unlike India, there has never been the need for English as a lingua franca and thus Bangla is the state language of Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi Culture & Society

HierarchyMap of Bangladesh

. Bangladesh is a hierarchical society.
. People are respected because of their age and position.
. Older people are naturally viewed as wise and are granted respect.
. Bangladeshis expect the most senior male, by age or position, to make decisions that are in the best interest of the group. This is also valid in businesses, the majority of which will be family owned/run.

Religion

. The majority of Bangladeshis are Muslim. However, most still very much mix this with pre-Islam folk traditions.
. Bangladeshis identify with the folk traditions of Bengali culture. This includes belief in shamanism and the powers of fakirs (Muslim holy men who are exorcists and faith healers), ojhaa (shamins with magical healing powers), and Bauls (religious mendicants and wandering musicians).
. There is a strong tradition of music, dance, and literature that includes classical devotions of Hindu and Muslim music.

Festivals

. Islam defines many of the festivals in Bangaldesh. These include two Eids (one after Ramadan and one after the Hajj) Shab-e-Qadr (the night of power), Milad un-Nabi (birth date of the Prophet Muhammad) and Shab-e-Barat (the night of the fortune).
. Hindu influences festivals include Durga Puja and Kali Puja (community worshipping of Goddess Durga and Kali).
. On the whole an entire community participates in each other's religious ceremonies.

Customs and Etiquette in Bangladesh

Meeting & Greeting

. Greetings usually take place between members of the same sex.
. The hand shake is common although they may feel rather limp.
. Women will only really be met within business contexts and even so, it is best to wait to see if a hand is extended before doing so.
. The traditional greeting for Muslims is Asalamu alaikum to which the response is wa alaikum salam.
. Naming conventions are very much based on the hierarchical nature of Bangladeshi society.
. Bangladeshis will append a suffix to a person's name to denote respect and the level of closeness between the two people.
. In general, age dictates how people are addressed.
. If people are of the same age, they use first names.
. If the person being addressed is older than the speaker, the person is called by their first name and a suffix that denotes the family relationship.

Gift Giving Etiquette

. Gifts are mainly given between family members at religious holidays, especially after Ramadan and Hajj.
. In cities, it is becoming more common for gifts to be given on birthdays.
. In Bangladesh the importance of gifts is in the thought rather than the value. Part of the reason lies in the fact that gifts should be generally reciprocated and it would be considered rude to offer someone a gift that is difficult to reciprocate. 

Some general gift giving etiquette guidelines include:

. When visiting a Bangladeshi's home, it is more common to bring pastries, sweets or good quality chocolates.
. If bringing flowers avoid frangipanis as they are used at funerals.
. Similarly white flowers indicate mourning.
. Do not give alcohol or products containing non-halal meat to Muslims.
. Never give money.
. It is considered bad form to open gifts in front of the giver.
. Gifts are given with two hands.

Dining Etiquette

. If meeting with people for dinner here are some basic rules on etiquette and protocol:
. If invited to a meal it is rude to flatly turn the invitation down. One should always use less direct language to suggest that it may be difficult such as "I will try." or "I will have to see".
. Meals both inside the house and outside will usually be same sex.
. Many people eat with their hands and it may be that you share food from a common dish.
. It would not be seen as impolite if you asked for utensils.
. Ensure you wash your hands before eating.
. Guests are generally served first then the oldest, continuing in order of seniority.
. Do not start eating until the oldest person at the table begins.
. You will constantly be urged to take more food. Simply saying "I'm full" will be taken as a polite gesture and not accepted at face value. It is therefore always best to pace yourself to allow for more servings.
. The left hand is considered unclean so only eat, pass dishes or drink with the right hand.

Business Etiquette, Protocol and Customs in Bangladesh

Communication StylesCustoms and Etiquette Bangladesh

. Bangladeshis are quite implicit/indirect communicators. They tend to communicate in long, rich and contextualized sentences which only make sense when properly understood in relation to body language.
. It is important for people who come from implicit/direct cultures to understand that their communication styles may be seen as rude and the information provided inadequate.
. Personal space is less of an issue in Bangladesh than many European cultures. Bengalis stand close when speaking to someone of the same gender and touch is common.
. However, when speaking with a woman the space is often increased.

Meeting & Greeting

. Business etiquette in Bangladesh is reasonably formal. Proper behaviour is expected.
. Men greet each other with a handshake upon arriving and leaving.
. Foreign men should nod to a Bangladeshi woman unless she extends her hand. Businessmen should be addressed by the term "Bahadur" ("Sir"), while women may be addressed as "Begum" ("Madam"). This may be used with or without the surname.
. Wait until your counterpart moves to a first name basis before you do so.

Business Card Etiquette

. Business cards are exchanged after the initial introduction.
. Educational qualifications are valued so include any university degrees.
. Present your business card with the right hand.
. Treat business cards given to you with respect. Merely glancing at it then throwing it on the table would be rude. Study it, comment on it and ideally place it into a business card holder.

Business Meetings

. Meetings in Bangladesh are generally the place where decisions are disseminated rather than made.
. They will usually be led by the most senior present who sets the agenda, the content, and the pace of the activities.
. Meeting structures are not very linear in Bangladesh. There may be an agenda and a starting time, but they only serve as guidelines.
. Completing a meeting fully takes priority over time and may extend well past any scheduled end time.
. Meetings may commence with some small talk.
. Communication is formal and follows a hierarchical structure. Deference to the most senior person in the group is expected. This is especially true when dealing with government officials.
. One should never let their level of professionalism slip. Casual behaviour may be misinterpreted as a lack of respect.
. Never lose your temper or show emotion. This may lead to a loss of face which will mean a loss of dignity and respect.
. The need to avoid a loss of face is also reflected in communication styles. Rather than say no or disappoint people Bangladeshis will phrase sentiments in such as way that it is up to people to read between the lines to understand what is being implied. Phrases such as "we will try", "that may be difficult", or "we will have to give that some though" may really mean "this can't be done".
. Therefore, it is important to ask questions in several ways so you can be certain what was meant by a vague response. Silence is often used as a communication tool.
. Many people comment on the lack of smiles in Bangladesh. This has nothing to do with unfriendliness but rather related to the fact that a serious face is believed to demonstrate maturity.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Facts and Statistics

Location: Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba

Capital: Nassau

Climate: tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream

Population: 307,451 (est. 2008)

Ethnic Make-up: black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3% Religions: Baptist 35.4%, Anglican 15.1%, Roman Catholic 13.5%, Pentecostal 8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodist 4.2%, other Christian 15.2%, none or unspecified 2.9%, other 0.8% (2000 census)

Government: constitutional parliamentary democracy

Language in the Bahamas

English is the official language and is widely spoken. Creole is used among Haitian immigrants.

Bahamian Society and Culture

The Role of Hospitality

Bahamas are known for being friendly, outgoing and informal. However they also maintain a sense of decorum and are very polite. Hospitality is an extension of this and they like to get to know people, say hello to strangers and invite people into their homes. Sharing a meal is the most common way to build a relationship.

Humour

Bahamians have a good sense of humour and use it often in all manner of situations. One facet of this with a certain cultural element to it is the use of self-deprecating remarks or jokes. In essence this emanates from the people’s lack of toleration for condescension and superiority. They respect people who are modest and humble. Being self-deprecating, especially if it is done in a humorous manner, displays their down to earth sensibilities.

As well as making fun of themselves they excellent at teasing others. Poking fun at each other is seen as harmless, good-natures banter.

Religion

Relatively speaking Bahamians take religion seriously. Most are devout Christians. It is not uncommon for everyday speech to the peppered with verses from the Bible and government programs or events and opened with short prayers. Sunday is a day for church going and prayer. People dress up in their best clothes to attend religious services.

The week after Christmas is one long party in the Bahamas. Starting with the goombay music on Boxing Day through the Junkanoo Parade on New Year’s Day, Bahamians dress in masquerade costumes and dance to goombay music. Goombay, the indigenous form of music, is derived from the African slaves who used songs as a form of social commentary and way to hand down traditions. To the beat of goatskin drums, people sway to the music and loose themselves in the haunting melodies.

Etiquette and Customs in the Bahamas

Meeting Etiquette

  • The most common greeting is the handshake, accompanied by direct eye contact and a welcoming smile.
  • For the most part Bahamians are warm and hospitable, although they initially may appear a bit more standoffish than people from other Caribbean islands.
  • They are a little slower to move to a first name basis, and sometimes even close friends may refer to one another by their surname.

Gift Giving Etiquette

  • Good friends and family give gifts for birthdays, Christmas, and other significant events in a person’s life.
  • Gifts need not be expensive.
  • If invited to a Bahamian’s home, bring fruit, flowers, or wine for the hosts.
  • Gift giving is a relaxed affair and has little protocol.
  • There are no restrictions on what kind of wrapping paper to use/not use.
  • Gifts are generally opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

  • If you are invited to a Bahamian’s house:
  • Arrive on time if invited to dinner; no more than 15 minutes late if invited to a barbecue or a large party.
  • Dress well, in clothes you would wear to the office. Dressing too informally may be misconstrued as a lack of respect towards your hosts.
  • Watch your Table Manners
  • Do not sit down until you are invited to and told where to sit.
  • Do not begin eating until the hostess starts.
  • Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
  • Meals are often served buffet style or family-style.
  • Keep your elbows off the table and your hands above the table when eating.
  • It is considered polite to finish everything on your plate so you do not appear wasteful. If you cannot, you may leave a small bit of food on your plate.

Business Etiquette and Protocol

Meeting and Greeting

  • Handshakes are the norm. They should be firm and friendly.
  • It is good manners to wait for a woman to offer her hand first.
  • Maintain eye contact during the greeting process.
  • Professional or academic titles with the surname are used in business. Professional or academic titles may also be used with the honorific title (Mr., Mrs., or Miss), with or without the surname.
  • If someone does not have a title, use their honorific title and their surname.
  • Wait until invited before moving to a first-name basis, which may occur more slowly than on other Caribbean islands.
  • Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual.
  • Treat business cards with respect. When you receive a card, place it in a business card case. The manner you treat business cards is taken as a sign of how you will treat the relationship.
  • Writing on someone’s business card in front of them is considered rude.

Bahamian Communication Style

Bahamians have a lyrical, musical quality to their language which probably descends from their West African roots. Although they are direct communicators they are also quite adept at modifying their language to make it come across as friendly and insensitive. Humour is also very much part of their communication style.

Business Meetings

Arrive at meetings on time. Although promptness is important you may find differences in the approach to meeting times and deadlines depending upon the age of your Bahamian business associate and the industry they are in. Older businesspeople or those who work in smaller companies may not be on time, especially if they are speaking with someone else, since it would be rude to hurry other person. They will treat you with the same respect when they are meeting with you.

Bahamian business culture is strongly influenced by the USA and the UK, so meetings will reflect a combination of these cultures. However, Bahamians are more hierarchical and as a result meetings are more about communicating information and decisions that have already been made rather than having discussions.

Meeting schedules are not rigid, and while there may be an agenda, it serves as a guideline and acts as a springboard to other related business ideas.

Since relationships are highly valued, plan to spend time during the meeting to talking about non-business related topics. Likewise, time is quite fluid and will be spent on more personal discussions as well as business-related.

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