Negotiating in Ireland. National features of business and speech etiquette. More British Etiquette Tips

Foreign businessmen who are accustomed to doing business in Britain can see that there are more similarities in business behavior in Britain and Ireland than there are differences. However, these differences are quite significant and can become a hindrance if they are not known.

Relationship. Americans accustomed to faceless phone calls may be surprised that in Ireland, successful business requires establishing relationships that take a lot of time. Here are practical tips for deal-oriented people on how to establish effective relationships in this market:

Be prepared to communicate before, during and after the negotiation
thieves.

Important issues should always be discussed face to face,
not by phone or text.

When preparing to establish new contacts, you need to organize
put down to be introduced by an influential third party.
If any of your employees have "connections in Ireland
diy", close or distant relatives, this can help in
establishing trust.

Foreign businessmen should avoid any show.
Like the Australians, the Irish welcome humble people.

Formality and social hierarchies. In general, the Irish attach less importance to class than the British. Most in social situations address each other by name, but when meeting them, you have to wait until they themselves suggest this style of communication. If appropriate, you can contact a professional

Or academic titles such as "professor" or "doctor", but surgeons, like in Britain, are addressed as "Mr."

Relationship to time. The pace of life in Ireland, even in Dublin, is a bit slower than in Germany or the US. There are no strict schedules and deadlines for work, your local colleagues may be late for meetings, but they expect punctuality from foreigners.

Communication behavior. Initially, Irish colleagues are perceived as reserved, although more friendly, outgoing and expressive than the British. The Irish quickly relax after a few glasses of thick black Tiness beer, which is another reason to spend time in pubs!

The Irish are not as direct as Scandinavians or Americans, and will rarely answer a question with a direct "yes" or "no". Irish people, especially those born and raised outside of the capital, view directness as rudeness. Dubliners are more direct, both in speech and writing.

business protocol

Meet and greet. A firm handshake and good eye contact are the norm. Handshakes are exchanged during an acquaintance, when meeting and parting with unfamiliar people, and also if they have not seen their friend for a long time.

Touch. This is a low contact culture. Other than shaking hands, people don't touch each other in public. The American habit of patting on the back, grabbing the elbow and hugging the shoulders will be out of place unless initiated by your Irish counterpart.

Gestures. The Irish don't gesticulate with their hands. When making a peace sign with two fingers, the palm should be turned outward. If it is turned inward, it will be an indecent sign.

Cloth. Business people dress less formally than in the UK or elsewhere on the continent. For the first meeting with a business partner, it is recommended to dress conservatively.

Business gifts. Although gifts are not accepted in this culture, small gifts such as pens, books, writing instruments and ties may be exchanged after successful negotiations.

social etiquette

queue behavior. As in Britain, you can never go out of line.

Hostess gifts. If invited to the house, bring a small gift such as chocolates, liquor, champagne, or flowers.

CROSS-CULTURAL BEHAVIOR IN BUSINESS

You. An invitation to "tea" can mean only tea, but it can also mean a full meal. If in doubt, ask. Be sure to send a thank you card the next day.

Pub etiquette. Pub lunches are usually arranged for business entertainment. If you went to the pub with your business partner, take turns ordering drinks. Be sure to follow the order. If it's your turn to pay, be sure to pay. People who pay more than others are perceived as braggarts. Refusing to drink is considered a great insult. Traditionally, the Irish believe that a woman can order herself a glass (half pint) rather than a pint of beer. It is customary to raise toasts at the table.

Behavior during negotiations

Organization of the presentation. Irish businessmen do not like exaggeration and excessive demands. The presentation should be direct and factual. Humor is acceptable, but foreigners should be aware that it does not always translate correctly. The safest thing in Ireland is self-directed humor.

Trading range. Don't leave too much wiggle room in your original proposal. This tactic can convince the Irish that you are not the right partner for them.

Overcoming obstacles that arise during negotiations. Be friendly and humble. Irish people remember past humiliation and deceit for a long time. This can be overcome by a) establishing a strong relationship of trust and b) arranging the new deal in such a way as to offer the Irish side WINNING terms.

Making decisions. The Americans believe that the negotiation process with the Irish is protracted, but in relation to other business cultures, it is quite normal.

We have already talked enough about what should be done in order for the negotiations to proceed effectively, and what mistakes should not be made. We also talked about what needs to be taken into account both during the preparation and during the negotiations themselves. But the personal characteristics of the opponents, their goals and motives, the strategies and techniques that they prefer, this is not all that needs to be guided when planning and negotiating.

Of great importance is also what nationality your opponent is, because different nations have their own psychological and behavioral traits, different views on things, different cultural characteristics. And given the fact that in our time international negotiations are not uncommon, it is imperative to know about these features. It is for this reason that we devoted the final lesson of our course to the national peculiarities of negotiations.

There is a lot of material on this topic and, of course, it is not possible to analyze absolutely all nations in terms of negotiations and take into account all the features within the framework of one lesson. However, we tried to include in the lesson the most relevant and valuable information in terms of practical application.

We will talk about their features purely for informational purposes, and only the most important. If you have a desire to understand this issue in more detail, you can find a lot of interesting information on the open spaces of the ubiquitous Internet today.

USA

The peculiarity of negotiating by the Americans lies, first of all, in high professionalism. When meeting with delegates from the United States, you will not find among them an incompetent person on the topic of negotiations.

In addition, American negotiators often have the authority to make their own decisions, but decisions are made by them only after all the details of the issue at stake have been discussed.

In negotiations, Americans are open, energetic, sociable and friendly, quickly responding to circumstances, and prefer a not too formal environment. However, along with this, egocentrism is often traced in their behavior, because. they may feel that their opponents should be guided by the same rules as themselves.

When negotiating with the Americans, it is recommended to clearly express your thoughts and justify the benefits of your positions and points of view. It is not worth counting on the fact that the Americans themselves will spend their time on determining your positive aspects, and they will give preference to the company whose representative himself can clearly and intelligibly tell everything about it.

To get Americans interested, you also need to let them know what they can do with you. But remember that you must also be open, honest, and specific. The positions of American negotiators are often very strong, which is why they can be assertive and willing to bargain.

England

One of the features of the British is that they devote very little time to the process of preparing negotiations. They are very pragmatic and tend to believe that the best solution can be found already in the course of negotiations. The British are distinguished by an enviable flexibility of thinking, readiness to accept counter-proposals, and a desire to bypass sharp corners.

It is not recommended to start negotiations with the British with the subject of the meeting - it is best to start a conversation with a discussion of some neutral topics, such as sports, weather, fashion, etc. They value universal human values, a good attitude towards their nation, correctness and the sharing of their interests by an opponent. In addition, they will appreciate a partner more if in the future he will show attention to them, for example, sometimes call, be interested in business, etc.

The duration of the period of cooperation and prospects play a big role in negotiations with the British. The longer the business relationship lasts, the more they will have the desire to conclude a contract or reach the desired agreement, and even if the benefit for them is small.

Keep in mind also that English negotiators abide by the law, adhere to the ideas of justice, play honestly and openly, never get personal, always punctual, do not take verbosity very well, and consider the main dignity of a person.

France

It is typical for the French that they tend to avoid official conversations on any topic, as they say, face to face. They are always independent in the negotiation process, but changes in their strategy are no exception, depending on who they are negotiating with.

The French really appreciate preliminary agreements and the opportunity to discuss the most controversial issues in advance. When making decisions, they prefer to act jointly with higher management.

Equally important, business matters are best discussed with French negotiators after coffee has been served, starting with a smooth transition from neutral talk to action.

Germany

In negotiations, the Germans are pedantic, prudent, unemotional. They enter into negotiations only after they are convinced that a solution can be found. They carefully prepare for negotiations, express their thoughts consistently, discussing each issue in detail.

If you have to negotiate with the Germans, know that they are extremely punctual, adhere to a regimented style of communication, like it when everything is clear and precise, value titles (before negotiating, you should find out what title your opponent has).

The high organization of the Germans allows them to negotiate directly and competently, take an active position, be honest and immediately dot the i's. They will like it if you use graphs, diagrams, charts, numbers and statistics.

If the agreement is signed, you will have to do everything possible to ensure that all conditions on your part are met, but the Germans themselves will strictly follow them. If the terms of the agreement are violated, be prepared to "pay in full."

Japan

The most remarkable thing about the Japanese style of negotiating is that if you initially make concessions to the Japanese, in return they will respond with concessions no less than yours.

Japanese negotiators try to avoid conflicts of interest, but in some cases, especially when the enemy is weaker, active pressure can be used. If they initially chose a specific strategy, then they will most likely stick to it until the very end.

Among the Japanese, it is customary to pay special attention to establishing personal contacts with their negotiating partners, which is why it is recommended to discuss the issues raised with them, if the matter has already begun, in all colors, even if they do not relate to the topic of negotiations. Behave with the Japanese should be sincere, friendly, open and tactful.

Those negotiations are especially appreciated, in which it was possible to create a trusting atmosphere in which there is mutual respect and understanding. All issues should be resolved concisely, gradually; The main questions are discussed after the secondary ones.

Another distinguishing point to be aware of is that the Japanese tend to involve many people in making a decision, from top people in the company to ordinary employees. For this reason, decisions are made by them rather slowly, but they are, and the goals are achievable.

Be aware that the Japanese value punctuality, commitment, diligence, accuracy, attentiveness, diligence, accuracy, politeness, discipline, self-control.

South Korea

South Korean negotiators like to get down to business as soon as they find common ground, avoiding discussion on distant topics. If you have a feasible and detailed proposal, you can safely move on to discussing issues related to it.

In negotiations, Koreans are always consistent, logical, assertive, often aggressive, striving to find a relationship between all the components of the proposed scheme. They try to be as simple, specific and clear as possible, avoid lengthy expressions.

If they don't understand something, they will never show it right away. They also don't like to say no. Taking their status very seriously, they always pretend that they understand all the details of the issue. For this reason, it is imperative to analyze the decisions made in all details and find out everything that may remain incomprehensible.

Koreans will never argue with you, prove you wrong or refuse. But you should do the same. If the final decision is made, the Koreans will immediately be ready to start work. For this reason, by the way, you should not give Koreans evasive answers, promise to think, etc. It is best to send people authorized to make independent decisions to negotiations with representatives of South Korea.

China

The Chinese prefer to divide the negotiation process into several stages: first, positions are specified, then these positions are discussed, and then a specific decision is made. Initially, they pay great attention to how the opponent looks and behaves, based on which, conclusions about his status will subsequently be made. Chinese negotiators will focus on the person whose status is higher. It is also important for them to have a sense of community and.

Also, negotiations with the Chinese may consist of technical and commercial stages. In order to succeed in the first stage, you need to try to convince your Chinese opponents of the benefits they will get from working with you, which is why you should be as prepared as possible in terms of technical issues.

As for the commercial stage, for success you need to have an excellent knowledge of the global market conditions, as well as to support your arguments with specific materials and analytical data.

In most cases, the Chinese themselves start negotiations, voice their ideas and make suggestions, and then listen to the interlocutor. They can make concessions only after they evaluate the opponent's capabilities. If the opponent made some mistakes in the negotiations, they will skillfully be used against him. Decisions are made by the Chinese not immediately, but after discussion with the higher leadership.

Arab countries

Representatives of the Arab countries are almost always determined to establish trusting relations with their opponents. They conduct negotiations with dignity and respect for the interlocutor, towards whom they behave extremely correctly. Decisions are made together with colleagues and only after discussing all the nuances with them.

Anyone who negotiates with the Arabs will be in a winning position if he shows respect for their national customs. Based on their past experience, they also predict the development of events, because their main support is roots and traditions.

At the same time, Arab negotiators can bargain, ask many questions, and show independence. If the opponent in any way tries to interfere in their internal affairs, these encroachments will be nipped in the bud.

The Arabs always work out the details in advance, they are very careful about unambiguous answers, they strive to establish long-term contacts, especially if it is not possible to reach an agreement the first time. If the Arabs refuse the opponent's proposal, they do it in such a way that he does not in any way feel insulted or offended, but they expect the same attitude towards themselves.

Ireland

Irish negotiators have earned themselves a reputation as the most difficult negotiators in all of Europe, because. they have one exceptional behavioral feature with regards to foreigners - they always strive to make the opponent understand that they are not interested in cooperating with foreigners.

In the process of negotiation, the Irish can be somewhat secretive, distrustful, disobedient. They can also keep silent about any information and even show a share of hostility towards foreigners. Many people perceive these features as shortcomings, but the Irish themselves are not only well aware of them, but even partly proud of them.

It can be difficult for inexperienced negotiators to negotiate with the Irish, because, among other things, they are direct in communication and openly express their opinions. However, if these national characteristics are known, negotiations can lead to a successful result.

Spain

The Spaniards can be called people who willingly go forward in negotiations. They show cordiality, openness, sincerity, desire and desire to work in a team. But when conducting a conversation with the Spaniards, you should not rush, because. they like to discuss all issues, discuss and understand everything. Also, they are not inclined to strict observance of any regulations.

It is also important to keep in mind that Spanish negotiators meet their interlocutors, as they say, by their clothes - they value style, image and impeccable appearance. The negotiations themselves are held, as a rule, in conference rooms or offices, and it is better not to count on a homely atmosphere, despite their attitude to regulations.

It is important to always maintain a sense of tact, correctness in behavior, avoid impulsiveness and rash statements. Disputes with the Spaniards are a serious matter, which is why you should not enter into a confrontation, let alone start conflicts.

Italy

Italian negotiators are characterized by impulsiveness, exceptional sociability, and expansiveness. Negotiations with the Italians in most cases take place in a calm manner, but often they take a more active and energetic position.

Italians do not like to delay decisions, they calmly look for alternatives and establish strong business relationships, but only with those people who occupy an equal status in society, organization and the business world.

Representatives of Italy attach particular importance to informal contacts with colleagues and partners, and they really appreciate it when the opponent does not neglect meetings outside of working hours. According to them, the informal atmosphere is conducive to more free and relaxed communication, during which you can express any ideas on the topic of the issue under discussion without the risk of offending or offending the opponent.

Sweden

The main characteristics of the Swedes as negotiators are such qualities as reliability, decency, punctuality, diligence, accuracy. The Swedes are very educated people, which is why they pay special attention to the level of education of the opponent.

The Swedes love business and negotiations, so it is best to discuss with them in advance the number and composition of participants, the time, place and duration of the meeting, the main issues that will be put on the agenda, etc.

Be sure that the negotiators from Sweden will thoroughly study and understand all the details of your proposals and ideas. You can make a good impression if you have not only the qualities that are inherent in the Swedes, but also if you are well-versed in professional and informational terms.

Russia

For our compatriots, it is characteristic that they focus mainly on common goals, but they pay disproportionately less attention to the ways to achieve them. This may run counter to the national characteristics of negotiators from other countries, which is why the achievement of mutually beneficial agreements is often delayed, slowed down or complicated.

Russian negotiators solve problems very carefully and carefully, avoiding risks. A wary attitude towards risks becomes the reason for not very high initiative and, as a result, the greatest interest in the proposals of opponents.

In negotiations, Russians seek to take a confident position, often exaggerate their demands, are reluctant to compromise, considering them a sign of weakness, and may also use methods in negotiations that are aimed at obtaining benefits.

Unfortunately, the majority of Russian negotiators are not interested in becoming as competent as possible, in improving the culture of negotiation and their professionalism. Many foreign researchers note that even in an atmosphere of cooperation, Russians manage to see not how much their interests coincide with those of their opponents, but how much they diverge from each other.

Among other things, one more characteristic feature of our compatriots in negotiations is that their attitude towards an opponent can change dramatically from one extreme to another, as well as the fact that many Russians do not behave very decently when working not only with Russian colleagues, but also with foreign partners.

These are the national characteristics of negotiators from different countries peace. We hope that the overall picture has formed for you, and now you will be able to prepare for ordinary, tough, and international negotiations. Remember that in the business of negotiation you need to try as much as possible to practice and hone your skills. We have tried to provide you with the most necessary theoretical and practical information that you can start applying in life today.

And, finally, one more thing: as an addition to the course you have completed, we strongly recommend that you take into service information from other sources - books on the art of negotiation. with list and summary these books you can find if you refer to the additional section of this course.

We wish you the best of luck on your path to becoming a professional negotiator.

Develop, grow and - that's all you need on your way!

Test your knowledge

If you want to test your knowledge on the topic of this lesson, you can take a short test consisting of several questions. Only 1 option can be correct for each question. After you select one of the options, the system automatically moves on to the next question. The points you receive are affected by the correctness of your answers and the time spent on passing. Please note that the questions are different each time, and the options are shuffled.

Very original, which is explained ancient history Erina - so in the old days the Celts called this country. We still do not know much about these mysterious inhabitants of Albion, who subsequently mixed with the warlike conquerors of Roman origin. However, echoes of the ancient traditions and customs of Ireland have survived to our time, which will be of great interest to all tourists.

The most unusual traditions of Ireland

If you are going to the country, it is worth learning more about the cultural characteristics and customs of the Irish. Some of the brightest traditions of Ireland are:

1. Children's birthday upside down. Until now, the old custom has been preserved on the birthday of turning the little birthday boy upside down and lightly tapping his head on the floor - as many times as he was years old, plus one.
2. "Borrowed Days". So the Irish call the first three days of April, in which the weather is often just awful. According to legend, once a mythical cow roamed Ireland in early April, which no one wanted to milk or slaughter for meat. Then an angry April took 3 cold days from Mart to finish off the animal.


3. The custom of St. Brigitte. The tradition, which continued until the 1920s, was that on February 1 - St. Brigid's Day, coinciding with the beginning of spring and Imbolg (an ancient pagan feast) - couples in love would come to Teltown in County May and officially get married, just walking towards each other. If then the man and the woman realized that they had made a mistake in choosing a partner, all they had to do was to arrive a year later and in the same place and at the same time disperse in different directions: this was equivalent to an official divorce.


4. "Straw Boys". In the western regions of the country, there is a custom that allows young people to come to uninvited. The only condition is a straw hat that completely hides the face, and sometimes a straw coat. They have fun at the wedding feast, pester young girls and dance with them, and after the wedding they disappear without a trace so as not to be recognized.


5. . Irish husbands usually did not help their wives, otherwise they could be called "old women" and ridiculed even for simply washing dishes. However, once a year on January 6, they completely freed their wives from household duties, and they went to the pub to have fun.


6. "Heather Sunday". People went to the swamps to look for heather on this very day, and often found not only him, but also their soul mate.


7. Pub etiquette. In Ireland, it is customary for each participant in the feast to pay in turn for the general orders of the entire company. If someone refuses to do this, the reputation of a miser will follow not only him, but even his offspring. On a birthday, all guests treat the birthday boy with a drink, and not vice versa.


8. Lack of tactile contact. Irish men do not like extra touching and can only hug at football. Quite in the traditions of Ireland, the original greeting is the index finger raised up at the meeting.


9. tobacco ban. Residents of the country do not welcome smoking in public places - cafes, cinemas, restaurants, bars, hotel lobbies.

In the view of many, Ireland is almost a fairy-tale country where you can see leprechauns at least every day and drink Guinness beer all day long. Well, one can argue about creatures from national legends walking along the street, but friendly mass conversations in a pub are not far from the truth.

The Irish are very friendly and sociable people, which is confirmed even by numerous films: large companies and long conversations are in the order of things. In this country there is such a thing as "craic" - a cheerful conversation, during which it is customary to share rumors, interesting news and just have fun. The culture of drinking alcohol is highly developed here, namely beer, which the Irish can drink in very large quantities, but always in a pub and with someone. The Irish appreciate the atmosphere of this place and can easily offer to visit it at any time. They also make contact very easily and completely trust the recommendations of friends when meeting a new person. The Irish communicate directly, and after a couple of meetings you can feel like their bosom friend.

National features: from taboo topics to the Irish language

However, despite the politeness of the Irish and respect for tourists, there are topics that are better left untouched or touched less. So, you can safely talk with them on neutral topics: about hobbies, family, politics, sports. It is better not to touch on the topic of feminism, religion, relations with Northern Ireland and Great Britain - the roots of this go deep into history. The Irish have a very developed sense of patriotism, they celebrate national holidays (the most famous, of course, St. Patrick's Day), observe traditions and love the Irish language. Despite the fact that the majority of Irish people speak English, the government supports the initiative to learn Irish, and almost 90 percent of the population knows it. However, in Everyday life it is used mainly in the western part of the country, in small villages.

Behavior rules

When greeting both acquaintances and strangers, the Irish usually raise their index finger, nod or shake hands. Although touch should be limited as much as possible. In Ireland, for example, hugs between men are not accepted, although this is allowed, for example, during sports matches. The attitude towards smoking is very strict: it is prohibited in many public places, and even if there is no prohibition sign, this does not mean that smoking is allowed.

The Irish value punctuality very much, although they themselves are not particularly distinguished by it: they can be late for almost half an hour even for a business meeting, and this will not be considered disrespectful or a violation of etiquette. Business communication usually consists of a joint lunch.

About money and holidays

What else you need to know for those who decide to go to the Emerald Isle: tips in Ireland, as a rule, are already included in the bill, but if not, it is considered good form to leave them; in a taxi, you should always take the first seat - this is how the passenger shows courtesy towards the driver; in August, there is a "dead season" throughout the country, since almost everyone is on vacation; the next day after a business meeting, you can send flowers as a token of gratitude; on a birthday, friends treat the birthday boy in the pub, and not vice versa.

Even though people in the United States of America and the UK speak the same language, communicating with clients or colleagues in England requires being aware of some of the subtle differences between North American and British business practices.

Regions, customs and accents.

England is only one part of a large area known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Much of the UK's international business is conducted through England. Britain refers to the island that contains England, Wales and Scotland. And although the British tend to refer to the fact that all immigrants from the UK call themselves Brits (Brits), this term is not valued by many Welsh (Welsh), Irish and Scots. Despite the fact that the countries of the United Kingdom are members of the European Union, the British do not consider themselves Europeans. This is important to keep in mind when discussing issues related to the EU.

Northern Ireland shares an island (Éire) with the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, unlike Ireland. It is wrong and offensive to refer to someone from the Republic of Ireland (also known as Éire, Southern Ireland or the Irish Free State) as British.

Each of the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) has a different history, culture and ancestral languages. There are also separatist tendencies that distinguish each of the regions from each other, so be respectful of the ethnic heritage of your colleagues or potential clients. The distribution of British powers continues for last decade. The Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh opened in 1999, as did the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff.

In the UK, a person's personal life is mostly a closed topic of conversation in the workplace. Do not try to ask your British colleagues about their personal problems while you are at work. Even the question of where a person is from (which is obvious to other people from the UK due to the accent) may seem intrusive, reckless and out of place to your foreign business partner. The truth is that friendship with the English is very special and rare in business, so don't try to be overly friendly during contract negotiations.

While there is a "Standard Oxbridge" (standard Oxford and Cambridge accent) or "BBC English accent" that most foreigners recognize, there are also many other common English accents and dialects. Just 10 minutes from London, the pronunciation starts to change. There are more than 30 dialects in the UK alone, including Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, as well as accents of the western part of the country, eastern England, Birmingham (better known as "Brummy" or "Brummie"), south Wales, Edinburgh, Belfast, Cornwall, Cumberland and Devonshire.

Punctuality, business meetings and local time.

Always be punctual. In London, this can be a challenge due to heavy traffic, so always try to leave enough time to get to your destination. It is advisable to clarify the exact date and time of your meeting a few days in advance and do not forget to confirm your presence upon arrival. In the UK, there are set rules for almost everything that gives a sense of stability in the lives of local residents. The British are great with time and can sometimes be overly concerned about deadlines and results.

In England there are no days off due to national holidays, but in the UK workers have a total of several weeks of public holidays, including bank holidays. Visit site kissboworshakehands.com to learn more about public holidays in 100 countries around the world. The British use Greenwich Mean Time, also known as GMT.

Negotiation.

To begin with, a verbal agreement can be considered mandatory, and then you need to sign a confirmation of acceptance. Basically, only the largest transactions require legal procedures. Be careful when recommending that you contact a lawyer ("attorney" - a lawyer in the United States, "solicitor" - in the United Kingdom).

The best way to connect with senior management is through third parties. The hierarchy in business has the following structure: the managing director is equivalent to the US CEO (CEO), the director (corporate vice president), the divisional officers, deputy directors and managers.

Businessmen are generally more interested in getting results in a short period of time than in the long term. Brits don't necessarily view change as something positive. In general, the British do not often show their excitement, passion or other emotions (except for football matches). Try also to remain discreet in communication. In the same way, the British refrain from making extravagant demands on any product or business plan.

Some British leaders see their foreign counterparts as condescending or overly demeaning. To stay up to the mark in the eyes of your British colleagues, do your best to avoid this opinion of yourself. Avoid pushing the product. In the UK, the decision-making process is slow, so take your time and don't rush your British counterparts. Let the British leaders with whom you are negotiating decide when to end the meeting and don't stay long after that. This way you will create a worthy impression.

While, for example, American leaders are known for their directness, the British are even more direct. Don't be offended if you don't immediately get a straight answer whether your offer is good or not.

Avoid the typical conversation starter: "What do you do?" The Briton may find this question too personal. Avoid controversial topics like politics or religion and don't start comparing work ethic. Speak in complete sentences. Many foreign leaders, particularly in the United States, have a habit of starting a sentence by allowing themselves to be interrupted before even finishing the main idea.
At the same time, the British are often self-critical, so when communicating with them, avoid any criticism - just listen. Likewise, remain as discreet as possible if they share their complaints with you. The British often apologize, even for minor inconveniences. They also have a habit of adding a question at the end of a sentence. For example: "The weather is beautiful today, isn't it?"

Formal and informal business meetings.

Since punctuality is a characteristic British trait, it is natural that it is especially important in business relationships. In most cases, the people you meet will always arrive on time. Always warn if you are late even for 5 minutes.

How the meeting will take place will depend on the composition and number of people. If all participants in the interview are at the same level, then as a rule, there will be a free exchange of ideas and opinions. If a person of higher status is present at the meeting, then he is given most of the speech. Basically, the meetings will have a fairly official character and a specific purpose. There is a short period of time before the official start when you can have a little chat with the people present.

If you are making a presentation, then avoid excessive claims and demands. Make sure your presentation and the materials provided in it are professional and well thought out. Be prepared to back up your report with facts and figures, as British people rely on facts, not emotions, to make decisions. Maintain eye contact and don't get too close to the person's privacy. After the meeting, it is advisable to send your partners a letter summarizing the meeting, describing what was decided and what further steps need to be taken.

Business breakfasts in hotels are becoming more commonplace and becoming more like a modern continental breakfast, avoiding large traditional breakfasts containing eggs, bacon, sausage, smoked fish and so on. Lunch is usually in the afternoon, between noon and 2:00 pm. A standard business lunch often involves a light meal in a pub. But if you dine with management, then most likely this will happen in the best restaurants or a special dining room for the authorities. In most restaurants, the time for dinner is usually from 19:00 to 23:00.

In the pub, don't skip your turn at the so-called "drinking circle" (when everyone buys drinks for their entire group). When you meet after hours, don't bring up the topic of work until your British counterparts do, otherwise you might be considered boring. Do not invite your business partner to non-business events until you know him or her well enough.

Parliament recently passed legislation to ban smoking in closed public places in England, including pubs. Just like in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the traditional thick layer of smoke in pubs is now another English tradition left behind. If you smoke (and if it's legal), always offer cigarettes to your conversation partners before you smoke yourself.

More tips on British etiquette.

Business attire:

* The business suit has a conservative style.

* Men must wear dark business suits.

* Women must wear either a business suit or a conservative dress.

Greetings:

* Shake hands with everyone when they arrive.

* Maintain eye contact while greeting.

Appeals:

* Only physicians and clergy use their professional or academic titles in business.

* Most people use Mr, Mrs or Miss with the last names of the people they are addressing. (The words Mr. (Mr) and Mrs. (Mrs) in the United Kingdom do not require a period after their spelling, since they are not abbreviations.)

* If a person has been knighted, then he is called "sir" with his first and last name or just his first name.

Business Cards:

* Business cards are exchanged at the first meeting without an official ritual.

*A received business card from your business partner can be removed by briefly looking at it. It is not necessary to study all the information at once.

Business gifts:

*Gifts are not part of business culture.

* If you want to give a gift, then make sure it is small in size and tasteful.

* Desk supplies, stationery with your company logo, or books about your country are good gifts.

* An invitation to dinner can also be considered as a gift.