Business
which is punctuality.
Spain
The Spanish view of time is much
different than Western Europe,
except for Italy coming close.
Spaniards do not consider being
late as impolite. Deadlines are
frequently viewed as nice objectives
when possible, but not really
binding. Timing appointments
can be a challenge.
Sweden
Punctuality is a must for both
business and social appointments.
The expression, “Never be late,”
would work well, as planning and
schedules are an integral part of
the Swedish life. If you are going
to be late, phone. But you will have
some points against you, as it is
considered quite poor etiquette.
Switzerland
Luxemburg
Like Belgium, Luxemburgers
appreciate, as well as expect,
punctuality, for both business
and social events. Anything else
is considered disrespectful and
quite rude. If you are going to
be late, be sure to call, apologize,
and give them the choice of waiting
or rescheduling. You can easily be
branded as unreliable to do business
with if you cannot respect time.
Their meetings usually get straight
to business, so as not to waste time.
Malta
It’s a good idea to schedule your
business meeting two to three
weeks in advance and confirm by
telephone. It is expected that you
will be punctual, but not as rigid
as in many places.
Montenegro
I’d suggest an appointment,
but punctuality currently does
not have much value.
Netherlands
The Dutch keep time well and view
punctuality as a virtue in business.
They are accepting of apologies for
delays, if you have called ahead.
Norway
Professional Norwegians expect
punctuality and it is highly valued.
If you are going to be over five
minutes late, be sure to call.
Otherwise, it will not make a
good impression. Best to arrive
five or ten minutes early.
Poland
Romania
Poles are quite punctual, which
I found to be true on a recent trip.
You may discover that those in
higher positions may arrive late to
a meeting. It is only a means to show
their status in the organization
hierarchy. Poles have had to rebuild
their country three times, since
WWI, WWII, and the Russian
occupation, and have shown the work
ethic and stamina to do it. For those
in higher positions to want some
recognition, it is well deserved.
Whereas it is best to be punctual,
you could possibly be forgiven for
ten to fifteen minutes, if you call.
Arrive a little early and allow for
traffic delays or parking difficulties.
Being punctual is viewed as a strength
and you do not want to be late.
Skopje
(Macedonia - Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia)
Times have changed. During the
past few years, appointments have
become necessary. It is best to be on
time, but trains and buses are not
necessarily on time, so allow extra.
Serbia
It will be expected that you will be
punctual. That does not mean anyone
else will be on time. But, you will lose
respect, if you do not show respect.
Portugal
Prior appointments are necessary
and I’d not suggest making them
between noon and three, as
everything closes. Punctuality is not
viewed as important, however people
from the North are more punctual
than those from Southern Portugal.
Believe it or not, it is considered
polite to arrive five minutes late, but
the host is normally on time. When
someone is more than thirty minutes
late, it is then considered rude. On
arrival for a meeting, you may find
your wait as long as twenty minutes.
If it extends over thirty minutes,
it is quite acceptable to show
some concern. When setting up
the meeting, if they suggest a
late afternoon meeting, be sure to
have them specify a thirty-minute
time range.
Slovenia
I would strongly suggest arriving
ten minutes early, to ensure you are
not late. Slovenians are punctual
and dislike waiting. A prospective
business partner being late will
be viewed as lacking respect and
disinterest. Arriving late could well
ensure that a business relationship
will not be viewed with any serious
consideration.
Slovakia
For a young country, they are very
punctual. The business sector is
punctual and do not like to be kept
waiting for a meeting. Punctuality
is expected. I witnessed this
clockwork precision on a trip to
Slovakia two years ago. They are
growing and on their own schedule,
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Everything runs on time in
Switzerland. I’ve run through the
train stations to make connections
and Swiss Rail is amazing. You will
find that appointments are essential,
and punctuality is highly valued and
expected.
Turkey
The Turkish are formal for business,
even when purchasing a rug. You
schedule your appointments in
advance. A high value is placed on
being punctual, and it is expected
that international business people
will honor this.
United Kingdom
Being on time is highly valued by the
British for business meetings. If you
arrive on time to the minute, those
you are meeting with will either be
walking in with you or have arrived
a minute or two before you. Time is
an economic commodity and Brits
are known for not wanting to lose
any. If you are a few minutes late,
an apology will work. If you are going
to be later or more delayed, call and
advise when you can arrive and see if
the meeting needs to be rescheduled.
The odds are, they have another
meeting scheduled after yours.
So, you need to keep that in mind.
They are more laid back on social
gatherings, where people do arrive
up to fifteen minutes late. But that
depends, and it’ s best to check out
details with someone in the know.
Note: Information for this article was
compiled from my own experience,
Do’s and Taboos Around The World,
associates, and double checked from
approximately twenty different
Internet sites.