Global Etiquette
European Business
Meetings
By Maralyn D. Hill
T
ime matters for business
meetings. It matter for social
engagements as well, but we
will cover one thing at a
time. This month, we will
focus on European countries. If I
have missed a country, it is an
oversight. Next month, we will
feature another part of the world.
In many countries, not being prompt
or on time is considered a huge
insult. Yet, as many of you may have
discovered, being late is culturally
accepted in others. This is an
important distinction and I’d
encourage you to err on the side of
being prompt. As you will be able to
tell, I know more about some of
these countries than others. When
you are a guest in another country,
or are doing business with someone
from another country, it is best to
know and understand the culture and
not take someone being late as
personal. Know and understand as
much about time as you can.
Europe
Being punctual matters and is
expected, especially in Northern
European countries.
Albania
Punctuality is expected, and I’d
suggest taking it seriously.
Austria
In Austria, every minute counts. Time
is carefully scheduled and managed,
as well as respected. Just as its
trains arrive and leave on time, so do
details of business. I’d suggest being
Denmark
five to ten minutes early, as a few
minutes late can offend. If you are
going to be late at all, call.
Be punctual and prepared to argue
your own point of view. It’s
expected. Meetings tend to stick
to a strict agenda.
Belgium
Being on time is extremely
important, as the Belgians are good
timekeepers. Pun ctuality is viewed
as a virtue. Apologies for late
arrivals will be accepted good
naturedly, but I would not run
the risk and certainly call.
Estonia
Make appointments well in advance
and punctuality is quite important.
Visitors are expected to be punctual,
as Estonians are always on time. I’d
suggest arriving five to ten minutes
early, so you are in the right spot,
fully prepared, etc. Estonians like
to get straight to the point and
business meetings generally stay on
schedule. They equate time = money
and do not like to waste it.
Croatia
Finland
Bulgaria
The Croatian culture takes time
seriously and considers punctuality
good manners, especially with
business meetings.
If you discover you will be more than
five minutes late, it is best to call
and advise, as Finns take punctuality
quite seriously and expect the same
from you.
Cyprus
France
Cyprus is more complicated, as
a formal request is required for
a meeting, as well as a written
confirmation on the part of both
parties. You are expected to be
punctual. Your Cypriot business
counterpart may arrive late.
Punctuality is considered a courtesy
and expected. Prior appointments
are vital even if social. Drop-ins are
rude and unacceptable, but being up
to ten minutes late for a business
event will be tolerated. But strive
to be on time. On the other hand,
you may have to wait for your
French colleague being late
without apologies.
Czech Republic
lan in advance, as you will find it
difficult to set up on short notice.
Czechs want to arrive prepared and
have time to prepare so they have
facts and figures at their disposal.
I would not even suggest trying to
arrange a business meeting on a
Friday afternoon. Being late implies
a lack of professionalism.
Germany
Appointments are expected and
meetings and events run on time,
so be on time. It will re ect poorly,
if you are not punctual. German
meetings are more formal. Use titles,
unless invited to do otherwise.
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Greece
Punctuality is not as important to
Greeks. They are frequently late for
appointments. Yet, they do expect
others to be on time for business
meetings. Sometimes, you don’t have
to schedule appointments ahead of
time. Greeks enjoy the social aspect
of business meetings as well as
those with friends and families.
While once I was making three
different presentations, in three
different regions of reece, all with
press coverage, etc., and most
started between twenty to forty
minutes later than scheduled. One
goes with the ow and enjoys the
people you meet while you are
waiting. In every instance, the
audience was so engaging the time
ew by. Sometimes contacts made
while waiting are as important as
those made after presentation.
Hungary
Being fortunate to visit a few times,
I found punctuality is extremely
important when Hungarians meet
foreigners. Try to arrive ten minutes
early and allow extra time for traffic.
raffic is always a challenge in
Budapest. If you are delayed five
to ten minutes, it will not be crucial
to the outcome of your business
meeting. On the other hand, don’t
be consistently late.
Iceland
Times have changed. Now, Iceland
is similar to other Nordic countries
where punctuality is highly valued.
If you are going to be delayed, let