Dari Business Etiquette Tips

Business people looking to establish and grow a presence in new Afghan markets will benefit greatly from practicing proper Dari business etiquette. Being familiar with and practicing this etiquette will give you an advantage when working with your Afghan colleagues.

Honor and shame are important values in Afghanistan. When doing business, keep this in mind to avoid accidentally disrespecting an Afghan colleague. By demonstrating proficiency in Dari business etiquette, you will impress your colleagues and demonstrate your aptitude in the business world.

Dari Business Meeting Etiquette

Proper business etiquette for Dari meetings is distinct from that in the United States and in many other countries. Here are some Dari business etiquette tips to help you appropriately interact with your Afghan colleagues:

• Dress conservatively - Men should wear formal, conservative suits. Women should wear knee-length, loose skirts with pants underneath. They should also wear headscarves if possible. Men in a non-commercial setting should wear traditional Afghan dress (long shirt and pants.)
• Treat your business cards respectfully - Business cards are important in Afghanistan. If you receive a card, do not place it in your pocket. Look at it carefully, comment on your Afghan colleague’s credentials and then place the card in a holder. When translating your own business cards into Dari or Pashtu, do not translate the address.
• Be prepared for a win-lose mentality - Afghans try to get the best for themselves at all costs. In negotiations, start high. When granting a lower price or other concessions, explain in detail how these lower prices and concessions will damage your business. In Afghanistan one group is always stronger than another.
• Emphasize fairness and justice - These qualities are very important in Afghanistan. Be sure to mention that you want to build a strong relationship with your Afghan colleagues. If you don't speak Dari, consider hiring a Dari translator or interpreter to demonstrate your professionalism and facilitate communication.
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Other helpful Dari business etiquette tips:

• Business is personal. Establish trust when you first meet your Afghan colleagues. Move to the business only after you have established trust.
• Do not make eye contact with the opposite sex. Men may make eye contact briefly. Limit eye contact with colleagues.
• Meetings are used to pass along information, not to discuss or brainstorm.
• The most senior person makes the decisions.
• Afghans communicate indirectly. Learn to read in between the lines when communicating with your colleagues. It is important to phrase your questions precisely in order to get the answers you need. Go that extra mile and impress your Afghan colleagues by getting a Dari translation of all pertinent documents.
• Men and women do not shake hands with each other. They do not speak to each other directly. If you are alone with a person of the opposite sex, keep the door open. This is very important as to not dishonor your colleague.
• Women should lower their eyes when walking in the street. This preserves your reputation.

Values Honored in Dari Speaking Countries:

• Honor
• Family
• Respect

About Foreign Translations, Inc.

Foreign Translations, Inc., is a 13-year-old foreign language translation, interpreting and website localization firm. With over 3,000 native translators located in over 30 countries, we frequently translate documents that range from 1,000 words to over several million in all the major languages of the world.