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Saturday, July 23, 2011

Facts and Statistics

Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru

Capital: Santiago

Population: 15,980,912 (July 2005 est.)

Ethnic Groups: white and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2%

Religions: Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish NEGL%

Language in Chile

Spanish in the official language of Chile. There are also quite a few indigenous languages such as Mapudungun (spoken between the Itata and Tolten rivers) and Aymara (spoken in the mountains of the north).

Chilean Culture & Society

Religion

. Most Chileans are Roman Catholics.
. The religion has played a large role in defining social and political life.
. Religious instruction in public schools is almost exclusively Roman Catholic. 

Abortion is actually illegal due to the influence of the Church.

. Divorce was illegal until 2004.
. Most national holidays are religious in nature.
. Chileans of more mature generations still celebrate their saint's day as much as they do their own birthday.

The Role of the Family

. The family occupies a central role in Chilean life.
. Extended families are very close and will frequently congregate for major occasions and celebrations.
. Family and business are intertwined to the extent that nepotism is seen as a positive concept.
. Many small firms will be 100% family run.

Class Structure

. Chilean history has had a large influence on modern day class lines.
. Generally speaking, class in drawn along financial lines.
. Today's wealthiest class are more or less the same land owning families of before.
. A middle class has developed of late and now accounts for nearly a half of the population.
Classes are fluid and it is possible to move either upwards or downwards depending on your salary.

Social Profiling

. Due to class structures it is commonplace for people to try and deduce another's position in the social rank.
. This is primarily done through external appearances, i.e. dress, etc.
. As a result they present themselves in the best possible way.

Etiquette and Customs in Chile

Meeting & Greeting

. Men will usually shake hands.
. Women generally pat each other on the right forearm or shoulder.
. These are always accompanied by the appropriate greeting for the time of day - "buenos dias" (good morning), "buenas tardes" (good afternoon) or "buenas noches"(good evening).
. Between friends and family things will relax and become more unreserved - men may embrace and energetically pat each other on the back whilst women will kiss once on the right cheek.
. Always let your Chilean counterpart progress to this stage of formality.
. Like many South Americans, Chileans use both their maternal and paternal surnames. The father's surname is listed first and is the one used in conversation.
. If you know of any titles always try to use them.
. If no title exists then simply use "Senor" (male) or "Senora" (female) followed by the surname.
. When addressing older people with whom you have a personal relationship, who may be referred to as "don" (male) or "dona" (female) with their first name.
. First names are used between close friends - wait until invited to move to a first name basis.

Gift Giving Etiquette

Gifts are usually given for birthdays and Christmas. Some general etiquette guidelines include:

. If invited to a Chilean's home, take sweets/chocolates or wine for the hostess.
. Send flowers in advance.
. Do not give yellow roses as they indicate contempt.
. Do not give purple or black flowers as they symbolize death.
. Do not give scissors or knives as they indicate you want to sever the relationship.
. For a young girl's 15th birthday, a gift of gold jewellery is the norm.
. Gifts are opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

. Dining etiquette can be quite formal in Chile.
. As a general rule, observe and follow if ever unsure.
. Here are some basic dining etiquette guidelines: 
- When sitting wait to be shown to your place.
- Women sit before men.
- The hostess invites people to eat.
- Keep your hands visible when eating. Keep your wrists resting on the edge of the table.
- Always use utensils to eat.
- Avoid speaking with eating utensils in your hands.
- It is considered polite to finish everything on your plate.
- Wait for a toast to be made before taking the first sip of your drink.
- The host makes the first toast.
- The most common toast is "Salud!"
- When you lift your glass, look at the person being toasted.
- Pour wine with the right hand only.

Business Etiquette and Protocol in Chile

Meeting and Greeting

. Chileans like an element of formality in all they do.
. A firm handshake accompanied with a smile and appropriate greeting is normal in a business setting.
. Direct eye contact is important.
. Some women may not shake hands with men, although this is becoming less common.
. Chileans stand very close when conversing.
. Always use surnames and titles - wait to be invited to use someone's first name.
. Business cards are exchanged on the initial meeting at the very start.
. Try and have one side translated into Spanish.
. Keep cards in good condition - a tatty card will reflect badly on you.

Business Meetings

. Chile has a relationship driven culture so initial meetings should be used to build a relationship and establish trust. Devote time to non-business discussions and wait for the other party to initiate the change in topic.
. Pay attention to hand movements - gestures change in meaning across cultures.
. It is common to interrupt someone while they are speaking.
. Meetings are not always linear in their progression. Schedules are not very structured and issues can be tackled all at the same time.
. It is important to be patient as time is not of the essence in Chile - meetings will last as long as they need to last.
. Remember that decisions are not made at meetings so it is important to provide all necessary information during the meeting.
. Chileans are generally indirect in their communication styles, but can become very animated and assertive when if they get emotional.
. Communication styles tend to be tuned to people's s feelings. Confrontation is generally avoided in order not to jeopardize another's honour or dignity - it may therefore be necessary to read between the lines in order to fully understand what is really meant.
. Never openly criticize anyone.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Facts and Statistics

Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey

Capital: Sofia

Population: 7,450,349 (July 2005 est.)

Ethnic Groups: Bulgarian 83.9%, Turk 9.4%, Roma 4.7%, other 2% (including Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian) (2001 census)

Religions: Bulgarian Orthodox 82.6%, Muslim 12.2%, other Christian 1.2%, other 4%

Language in Bulgaria

Bulgarian is a Southern Slavic language with about 12 million speakers in Bulgaria and also in Ukraine, Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Greece and Romania. Bulgarian is mutually intelligible with Macedonian, and fairly closely related to Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian and Slovene.

Bulgarian was the first Slavic language to be written. It first appeared in writing during the 9th century using the Glagolitic alphabet, which was gradually replaced by an early version of the Cyrillic alphabet over the following centuries.

At the end of the 18th century the Russian version of Cyrillic or the "civil script" of Peter the Great was adapated. During the 19th century a number of versions of this alphabet containing between 28 and 44 letters were used. In the 1870s a version of the alphabet with 32 letters proposed by Marin Drinov became widely used. This version remained in use until the orthographic reform of 1945 when certain letters were removed from the alphabet.

A modern literary language based on vernacular spoken Bulgarian was standardised after Bulgaria became independent in 1878. Many Turkish words were adopted into Bulgarian during the long period of Ottoman rule. Words have also been borrowed from Latin, Greek, Russian, French, Italian, German and increasingly from English.

Bulgarian Society and Culture

ReligionMap of Bulgaria

. Most Bulgarians are born into the Bulgarian Orthodox church.
. The Church has long played a role in retaining a sense of being "Bulgarian", acting as the default support system under Ottoman and Communist rule.
. Despite Communist attempts the Church held firm and upon the fall of the Soviet Union and the Communist Party in Bulgaria the church experienced a revival - religious holidays were celebrated again, baptisms and church weddings gained in popularity.

The Role of the Family

. The family is the fundamental social unit and much of society is based around it.
. Families still tend to be extended rather than nucleur.
. Several generations may still all be found under the same roof.
. The family is generally very close and forms large networks of mutual assistance and support.

Hierarchical Society

. A common characteristic of strong family orientated societies is that they tend to also have hierarchical structures with corresponding rules of behaviours that enforce people's roles.
. In Bulgaria respect and honour is given to people with age and position.
. In normal social situations this is manifest where the oldest in the group is greeted first, accorded a title, served first or offered the best food at the table.
. With such perks also come responsibilities, for example they would be responsible for making decisions for the group.

History and Culture

. Bulgarians are very proud of their culture and heritage.
. Stories and folklore still form an important part of life where legends and traditions and are passed between the generations.
. These are also captured in poetic songs, rituals, music, dance, costumes and jewelry.

Bulgarian Customs and Etiquette

Meeting & GreetingEtiquette in Bulgaria

. Bulgaria on the face of it is still a fairly formal society - initial greetings are therefore formal and reserved.
. Greetings consist of a firm handshake, direct eye contact and the appropriate greeting for the time of day.
. Address people with their titles (if you know them) or with Mr "Gospodin" / Mrs "Gospozha" followed by the surname.
. Only friends and family address each other with first names and possibly a hug or kiss.
. One should always wait for their Bulgarian counterparts to determine when it is appropriate to become this informal.

Gift Giving

. Gifts are generally exchanged at Christmas, birthdays and when invited to someone's house.
. The general rule for gift giving is that it more about the thought than value - in fact do not give overly expensive gifts as this may cause the recipient embarrassment.
. When going to a Bulgarian's home for dinner take bring flowers for the hostess and a bottle of good spirits for the host.
. If taking flowers avoid chrysanthemums, lilies or gladiolas as they are used at funerals. Also ensure there are an odd number of stems.
. If giving a gift to a newborn only give an odd number of presents.
. Gifts are generally opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

. Table manners in Bulgaria could be considered casual, but there are certain rules of etiquette that should be appreciated.
. When invited to sit at the dining table wait to be shown your seat.
. Napkins should be left folded next to the plate. If others unfold them and place them on their laps, do the same - you will be at a more formal meal.
. Wait for the hostess to give the green light before starting to eat.
. Although you may be the guest of honour it is polite to insist the eldest person at the table starts proceedings.
. Do not rest your elbows on the table, although your hands should be visible at all times.
. Eating more food shows appreciation for it, so on the initial serving take little to allow you a second serving.
. Glasses will always be refilled - leave a mouthful at the bottom of your glass if you don't want more. Business Etiquette and Protocol in Bulgaria

Meeting & Greeting

. Greetings consist of a firm handshake, direct eye contact and the appropriate greeting for the time of day.
. Handshakes are used when meeting and departing.
. Address people with their titles (try and find out if people have one beforehand) - if not then use Mr "Gospodin" / Mrs "Gospozha" followed by the surname.
. Business cards are exchanged on initial meetings.
. There is little protocol to follow.
. If your company/firm has been established a long time (25-50 years) include the founding date on your business card.
. Add any academic qualifications you may have too.
. Translating cards into Bulgarian may not always be a necessity but it would certainly impress recipients.

Business Meetings

. Relationship building is important in Bulgaria. Try to spend time getting to know people before getting down to serious business.
. Initial meetings should be used as an introduction. The next meetings can then be used for more business focused discussions.
. If you are aware that your counterparts in Bulgaria, hire an interpreter and fully brief them on your needs.
. Eye contact is important is relaying trust and sincerity.
. Any presentations should be factual and backed with statistics. If possible try to present information visually.
. Bulgarians do not appreciate too much "talk" so avoid over zealous statements.
. Once meetings have started to get into more serious matters they will start to proceed at a much slower pace as details are digested, scrutinized and discussed.
. Bulgarians are not deadline oriented. They prefer to ensure they have comprehensively covered a topic before bringing proceedings to a close.
. Be patient and do not rush meetings - successful ventures in Bulgaria will never happen overnight.
. Meetings often last much longer than anticipated. Do not rush the process.
. It is important to retain a sense of formality and professionalism. Any slip into casual behaviour may not be appreciated.
. Bulgarians have a tendency to talk in a roundabout way when concerned about not saying anything that could be used against them later. If you are asking questions and not getting direct answers try asking the question in different ways.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Facts and Statistics

Location: Western Europe, bordering Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km

Capital: Amsterdam

Population: 16,318,199 (July 2004 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Dutch 83%, other 17% (of which 9% are non-Western origin mainly Turks, Moroccans, Antilleans, Surinamese and Indonesians) (1999 est.)

Religions: Roman Catholic 31%, Protestant 21%, Muslim 4.4%, other 3.6%, unaffiliated 40%

The Dutch Language

Dutch, the official language, is spoken by around 90% of the population. Around 350,000 people, or 2.2% of the population, speak Frisian as their first language, mainly in the northern province of Friesland, where it is recognised as an official language. Turkish and Arabic are also spoken in the Netherlands, each by over 0.6% of the population.

Dutch Society & Culture

The Role of the Family

.The Dutch see the family as the foundation of the social structure.
.Families tend to be small, often with only one or two children.
.Relatively few women work outside the house full-time as compared to many other cultures.
.This allows mothers to be more available to their children throughout the entire day.

Dutch Demeanour

.Appearances are important to the Dutch.
.They are disciplined, conservative, and pay attention to the smallest details.
.They see themselves as thrifty, hardworking, practical and well organized.
.They place high value on cleanliness and neatness.
.At the same time, the Dutch are very private people.
.They do not draw attention to themselves and do not value the accoutrements of success highly prized by other western societies.
.They dislike displays of wealth, as they run counter to their egalitarian beliefs.
.They do not boast about their accomplishments or their material possessions.

Egalitarianism Map of Netherlands

.The Dutch are egalitarian and highly tolerant of individual differences.
.Their children are raised without gender biases.
.There is practically no abject poverty in the country because of the social programs, which, however, also increase the tax burden on workers.
.This egalitarian outlook is carried over into the workplace.
.Even in hierarchical organizations, every person has a right to their opinion and to have it heard.
.The boss may be the final decision maker, but he/she will typically want input from the workers and will strive for consensus.
.Everyone is valued and shown respect.

Dutch Privacy

.The Dutch are reserved and formal when dealing with outsiders.
.They are private people and do not put their possessions or emotions on display.
.Self-control is seen to be a virtue.
.The Dutch do not ask personal questions and will refuse to answer should you be foolish enough to intrude on their privacy.
.Personal life is kept separate from business.
.If a friendship develops at work and is carried into the personal arena, this camaraderie will not be brought into the office.
.Personal matters are not discussed with friends, no matter how close.
Etiquette and Customs in The Netherlands

Meeting and Greeting

.The handshake is the common form of greeting.
.It is firm and swift, accompanied by a smile, and repetition of your name.
.Shake hands with everyone individually including children.
.Very close friends may greet each other by air kissing near the cheek three times, starting with the left cheek.
.Most Dutch only use first names with family and close friends.
.Wait until invited before moving to a first-name basis.

Gift Giving Etiquette

.If invited to a Dutch home bring a box of good quality chocolates, a potted plant, a book, or flowers to the hostess.
.Flowers should be given in odd numbers, but not 13, which is unlucky.
.Avoid giving white lilies or chrysanthemums, as these are associated with funerals.
.Gifts should be wrapped nicely.
.Wine is not a good gift if invited for dinner, as the host may already have selected the wines for dinner.
.Do not give pointed items such as knives or scissors as they are considered unlucky.
.Gifts are usually opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

.Dining is fairly formal in the Netherlands.
.Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
.Remain standing until invited to sit down. You may be shown to a particular seat.
.Men generally remain standing until all the women have taken their seats.
.If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork in the middle of the plate with the fork over the knife.
.Do not begin eating until the hostess starts.
.Most food is eaten with utensils, including sandwiches.
.The host gives the first toast. An honoured guest should return the toast later in the meal.
.Salad is not cut; fold the lettuce on your fork.
.Always start with small amounts so you may accept second helpings.
.Finish everything on your plate. It is offensive to waste food in the Netherlands.
.Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate. Business Etiquette and Protocol

Building Relationships & CommunicationEtiquette in Holland

.Many Dutch are familiar with doing business with foreigners since the Netherlands has a long history of international trade.
.They will want to know your academic credentials and the amount of time your company has been in business.
.The business community is rather close and most senior level people know one another.
.Older, more bureaucratic companies may still judge you by how you are introduced so it is wise to have a third-party introduction if possible, although it is not mandatory.
.The important thing is to demonstrate how your relationship would be beneficial for both sides.
.The Dutch take a long-term perspective when looking at business, so be clear what your company's intentions are.
.Since the Dutch value their personal time, do not ask them to work late or come in over the weekend if you want to foster a good working relationship.
.The Dutch are hospitable, yet this is often reserved for family and friends. In business they tend to be reserved and formal.
.They do not touch one another and appreciate it when those they do business with maintain the proper distance, do not demonstrate emotion or use exaggerated hand gestures.
.The Dutch are extremely direct in their communication.
.They may sound blunt if you come from a culture where communication is more indirect and context driven.
.They do not use hyperbole, and likewise they expect to be told yes or no in clear words.
.In general, ideas will be discussed quite openly at meetings, with everyone entitled to their opinion.
.Information is shared across departments and corporate strategies and goals are usually communicated to all employees, especially in more entrepreneurial companies.
.Decisions are often consensus-driven in these cases.
.Always appear modest and do not make exaggerated claims about what you or your company can deliver.
.Your word is your bond and making claims that later prove to be untrue will brand you as unreliable.

Business Meeting Etiquette

.Do not try to schedule meetings during the summer (June through August), as this is a common vacation period.
.Punctuality for meetings is taken extremely seriously.
.Being late may mark you as untrustworthy and someone who may not meet other deadlines.
.If you expect to be delayed, telephone immediately and offer an explanation.
.Cancelling a meeting at the last minute could jeopardize your business relationship.
.Meetings are rather formal in nature. Little time is spent on pleasantries.
.Meetings adhere to strict agendas, including starting and ending times. Do not attempt to deviate from the agenda.
.Maintain direct eye contact while speaking.

Negotiations

.The Dutch prefer to get down to business quickly and engage in relatively little small talk.
.Communication is direct and to the point, and may seem blunt.
.Make sure your arguments are rational as opposed to emotional.
.Use facts and figures to confirm your statements.
.Business is conducted slowly. The Dutch are detail-oriented and want to understand every innuendo before coming to an agreement.
.Decision-making is consensus driven. Anyone who might be affected by the decision is consulted, which greatly increases the time involved in reaching a final decision.
.Avoid confrontational behaviour or high- pressure tactics.
.Once a decision is made, it will not be changed.
.Contracts are enforced strictly.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Facts and Statistics Afghanistan Flag

Location: Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran

Capital: Kabul

Climate: Arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers

Population: 29,928,987 (July 2005 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Aimak 4%, Turkmen 3%, Baloch 2%, other 4%

Religions: Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi'a Muslim 19%, other 1%

Language in Afghanistan

Pashtu and Dari (Afghan Persian/Farsi) are the official languages of Afghanistan. Pashtu (also written Pushtu) was declared the National Language of the country during the beginning of Zahir Shah's reign, however, Dari has always been used for business and government transactions. Both belong to the Indo-European group of languages.

According to estimates, approximately 35% of the Afghan population speaks Pashtu, and about 50% speaks Dari. Turkic languages (Uzbek and Turkmen) are spoken by about 11% of the population. There are also numerous other languages spoken in the country (Baluchi, Pashai, Nuristani, etc.), and bilingualism is very common.

Afghan Culture & Society

Islam

o Islam is practised by the majority of Afghanis and governs much of their personal, political, economic and legal lives.
o Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day - at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening.
o Friday is the Muslim holy day. Most shops and offices will be closed. Government offices and businesses may also close on Thursday, making the weekend Thursday and Friday.
o During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing.
o Foreigners are not required to fast; however, they must not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum in public.

Islam in Afghanistan

The Ethnic Make-up and Tribes

o Afghanistan is a vast country and as a result has a rich mix of ethnicities and tribes.
o The Pashtun are Sunni Muslims who Pashtu. They constitute around 42% of the population and are concentrated in Nangrahar and Pakhtya provinces. A large population also live in neighbouring Pakistan.
o Tajiks comprise roughly 27% of the population. They are Iranian in origin and speak a form of Persian found in Eastern Iran. Most are Sunni Muslim. Most reside in Kabul and Herat provinces,although some reside in the mountains north of Hindu Kush, and the Iranian border.
o Hazaris make up about 9% of the population. They are descendants of the Mongols, and speak a dialect of Persian that contains many Turkish words. They are also Shiite Muslims which led to much of their persecution under Taliban rule. Most live in the Hazarajat region.
o Uzbeks live in the northern parts of the country and also comprise only 9% of the population. They are Sunni Muslims and speak a dialect of Turkish.
o The Turkomen are a small minority with making only 3% of the population.
o Baluchis are pastoral nomads who speak Baluchi, an Iranian language. They comprise 2% of the population.

The Family

o The family is the single most important unit in the Afghan culture.
o Men and women's roles are much more defined along traditional lines.
o Women are generally responsible for household duties, where as men will be the bread winners. In the cities professional women do exist.
o Families commonly arrange marriages for their children. Factors such as tribe, status, network, and wealth are the major factors forming any choice.
o Families traditionally live together in the same walled compound, known as the kala. When a son gets married he and his wife begin their married lives in a room under the same roof.
o As with much of the Muslim world, the family is sacred and as such, is highly protected. As a result, probing about the family is not advised.

The Concepts of Honour and Shame

o Honour in Afghan culture defines the reputation and worth of an individual, as well as those they are associated with.
o The head male of a family is responsible for protecting the honour of the family.
o The issue of honour drives much of the behaviour surrounding the protection of women, modes of dress, social interaction, education and economic activity.
o If someone's honour has been compromised, they are shamed and will look for a way to exact revenge for themselves, their family or group.
o The role of honour and tribalism has fuelled much of the disharmony in the country's recent history - with one group carrying out violent acts against another, the victims are forced to respond causing a circle of violence.

The Role of Hospitality

o Hospitality is an essential aspect of Afghan culture.
o No matter who you are, if you visit a home you will be given the best the family has.
o This relates back to the idea of gaining honour.
o If you are invited for tea, which you inevitably will be, you will be offered snacks and your tea glass will be constantly filled. When you have had enough cover the glass with your hand and say "bus" (meaning 'enough').

Social Etiquette, Customs and Protocol

Meeting and Greeting

o When meeting someone the handshake is the most common form on greeting. You will also see people place their hands over their hearts and nod slightly.
o One should always enquire about things like a person's health, business, family, etc.
o Women and men will never shake hands let alone speak directly to one another.
o Eye contact should also be avoided between men and women. Between men eye contact is acceptable as long as it is not prolonged - it is best to only occasionally look someone in the eyes.

Mixing Between GendersMap of Afghanistan

o Free mixing between genders only takes places within families.
o In professional situations such as at businesses or universities, males and females may be co-workers, but are nevertheless cautious to maintain each other's honour.
o Foreign females must learn to read the rules and live by them.
o If a man speaks to you directly in a social context, he is dishonouring you. If someone speaks to you on the street, that is equally inappropriate. You should avoid looking men in the eyes, and keep your eyes lowered when you walk down the street to maintain your reputation as a proper woman.
o Women must always dress properly to avoid unwanted attention. Always wear loose fitting pants under your skirts and be sure the definition of your legs is undistinguishable. It is also strongly advisable to wear a headscarf in public.
o On the other hand foreign men should note that it is inappropriate to initiate social conversation with a woman, and one should not ask a male about his wife or female relatives.
o Men and women should never be alone in the same room. If this happens you should ensure a door is left open.
o Men and women should never touch one another under any circumstances.

Gift Giving Etiquette

o First rule of gift giving is to never give alcohol. However, if you know from first hand experience that the receiver drinks you may do so but covertly to avoid shame.
o The first time you go to someone's house for tea, it is appropriate to bring a small gift.
o If you are invited to lunch or dinner, bring fruit, sweets or pastries. Make sure the box is wrapped nicely.
o When bringing a gift be subtle in how it is given. Do not immediately give the present but rather discreetly place it near the door or where you sit down.
o When it comes to wrapping gifts there is no special protocol. Green is good for weddings.

Dining Etiquette

o Dining in Afghanistan is a different experience and there are many differences in etiquette.
o Always remove your shoes at the door if visiting a home.
o If eating at someone's home, you will be seated on o the floor, usually on cushions.
o Food is served on plastic or vinyl tablecloths spread on the floor.
o Wait to be shown where to sit.
o If you can, sit cross-legged. Otherwise sit as comfortably as you can. Do not site with legs outstretched and your feet facing people.
o Food is generally served communally and everyone will share from the same dish.
o Do not eat with the left hand.
o Always pass and receive things using your right hand too.
o Food is eaten with the hands. It will be a case of watch and learn. Food is usually scooped up into a ball at the tip of the fingers, then eaten.
o Leave food on your plate otherwise it will keep getting filled up again. Business Etiquette, Customs and Protocol

Business Cards

o Business cards are not widely used in Afghanistan. They therefore carry a sense of importance and prestige.
o If you are given a business card, take it respectfully and study it so that they see that you are spending time considering their credentials. Comment on it and any qualifications the giver may have.
o Try not to keep cards in your pocket - slip it into a holder and somewhere else respectful.
o There is no real protocol used for exchanging cards except to use your right hand.
o It may be a good idea to have your card translated into Dari or Pashtu. Make sure you don't "translate" the address.

What to Wear?

o Men should wear conservative suits and shoes.
o If working in the country in a non-commercial capacity then wearing the traditional Afghan dress (long shirt and trousers) is best.
o Women must always dress modestly and conservatively. The general rule is to show as little flesh from the neck downwards.
o If working in business, women should wear knee-length, loose fitting business skirts with loose fitting professional trousers underneath. Wearing headscarf is advisable.
Business Meetings
o Business is very much personal in Afghanistan. If you have not already invested some quality time in getting to know your counterparts, then you must use initial meetings to establish trust.
o Once this has been accomplished you can move on to the nitty-gritty of business.
o Do not be surprised or offended if during meetings people walk in and out of a room or phone calls are taken.
o If the meeting involves a group of people it will be led by the leader who will set the agenda, the content, and the pace of the activities.
o Meetings are usually held to communicate information and decisions that have already been rather than a forum for discussion and brain storming.
o Meeting schedules are not very structured. Start times, points of discussion, etc are all fluid and flexible. Be prepared for a lot of tangents in the discussions.
o Afghani communication style is rather indirect. It is therefore sometimes necessary to read between the lines for an answer rather than expect it to be explicitly stated. For example, if someone is asked if they can complete a job on time, you will rarely get "no" as the answer. It is therefore also important to phrase questions intelligently.
o Honour and shame should always be considered. Always express yourself in a way that is not direct or pins blame on someone. Never make accusations or speak down to anyone. 

Negotiating

o Negotiating can be a tricky, frustrating but often an enjoyable affair if approached correctly.
o Always make sure you negotiate with the most senior person possible as they are the decision makers. If you negotiate with someone more junior they may be there to simply test the waters.
o As a rule Afghans generally negotiate with a win-lose mentality. The goal is always to get the best for yourself at all costs.
o This means that there is always a stronger/weaker party. This can however be used to your advantage if you play your cards right. Always start wildly high in negotiations and very slowly work your way down, always explaining why you are dropping in price but at the same time explaining the damage it is doing to you.
o Always appeal to their sense of fairness and justice and use the fact you are looking to build a strong relationship.
o If monetary matters do not work then try pushing the idea that a deal with you will bring prestige, honour and respect.

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