Greek Business Etiquette Tips

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

Greek culture is warm and accepting. However, Greeks may be distrustful of foreigners. Build trusting relationships in order to promote a successful business relationship. By demonstrating proficiency in Greek business etiquette, you will impress your colleagues and demonstrate your aptitude in the business world.

Greek Business Meeting Etiquette

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

• Build Relationships - Greeks like to do business with people they know. The first business meeting you have with your Greek colleagues will help to establish a relationship and build trust.
• Offer your printed material in English and Greek - This will facilitate communication between you and your Greek colleagues. If you don't speak Greek, consider hiring a Greek translator or interpreter to demonstrate your professionalism and facilitate communication. When you translate your business cards into Greek on one side you show an investment in the relationship. Present the side in Greek when handing your card to a Greek colleague.
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• Respect seniority - Greeks respect senior business colleagues. Senior business people make the decisions. When giving a presentation, it is important to focus on the senior business people, as they will be the determining players.
• Expect small talk - Greeks like to get to know their potential business partners before conducting business. Small talk will often include coffee or soft drinks.
• Be punctual - Foreigners should be punctual for business meetings although Greeks may not. You should expect meetings to start and end late.
• Do not expect to follow an agenda - Greeks see meetings as opportunities for discussion and will deviate from agendas. Often many people will speak at once.

Other helpful etiquette tips for Greek business meetings include:

• Nepotism is acceptable in Greece. Family members will often help each other find jobs. It is not unusual for multiple family members to work in the same company.
• Greeks conduct business slowly. Please keep this in mind and avoid allowing yourself to become impatient. If you impose a deadline on decision making, you risk damaging the business relationship. Go that extra mile and impress your Greek colleagues by providing a Greek translation of all pertinent documents.
• Do not do anything that questions the honor of a Greek colleague. Do not question a Greek colleague’s statements.
• Please do not use the O.K. sign (with your thumb and forefinger in a circle) or the sign often used for stop (your palm facing out). These gestures are considered offensive.
• Expect lots of emotion and physical contact when speaking with Greeks, as this is a demonstrative culture. Your Greek colleagues may raise their voices when speaking with you. This does not indicate anger. They also may touch you on the arm when speaking with you.
• The work schedule varies in Greece. From May to October, Greeks work from 8:00 - 1:30 and from 4:00 - 7:30 p.m. From October to May the lunch break may be longer.
• Shake hands at the beginning and end of a meeting. Please address your Greek colleagues by title and surname until you build a relationship with them.

Values Honored in Greek speaking countries:

• Family
• Trust
• Honor
• Hospitality

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.