Practicing proper Greek business etiquette will aid business people hoping to expand into Greek markets. When you are ready to gain new partners and clients in the Greek community it is essential for you to be well versed in the proper Greek business etiquette. Your Greek colleagues will be passionate in everything they do and in turn they look for enthusiastic, lively people. Keep in mind that Greeks place a very high value on family and the bonds of friendship, so demonstrate to your Greek colleagues that you are a trustworthy and loyal partner for them.
2. Practicing proper Greek business
etiquette will aid business people
hoping to expand into Greek
markets.
When you are ready to gain new
partners and clients in the Greek
community it is essential for you to
be well versed in the proper
Greek business etiquette.
Your Greek colleagues will be passionate in everything they do and in turn
they look for enthusiastic, lively people.
Keep in mind that Greeks place a very high value on family and the bonds
of friendship, so demonstrate to your Greek colleagues that you are a
trustworthy and loyal partner for them.
3. As Greece is an ancient and
well-educated society, there is
great respect for the elderly and
for those with titles.
It is important to show the respect
for seniors in age and in status,
and use titles in names.
Demonstrate your willingness to
establish the relationship by
shaking hands at the beginning
and at the end of meetings.
4. As much as Greeks may be late to
appointments and meetings, it is
important that you, as the foreigner,
are on time.
Meetings will always begin with small
talk, and feel free to socialize as
Greeks like to get to know their
potential business partners on a more
personal level and will warm up to
you as they know more about you.
There is great passion in the way Greeks live and run their businesses, don’t
expect to follow an agenda, many people may speak at once, and volumes
may rise. Enjoy the vivacity of the event and trust the system that they follow.
5. Make a great first impression to
your potential new business
“family” by supplying them with
your documents in English and
Greek.
Not only will this facilitate
communication between you
and your Greek colleagues, it will
show them how much you
respect their culture and
language.
And to really demonstrate your
desire to establish a long-term
relationship, consider a Greek
translation of your business cards
6. The work hours in Greece will
change in some areas during
certain months.
Check with your colleagues and
ask about any vacation breaks
during summer months, and if there
is a best time for scheduling
meetings.
7. Greece and its culture have been
around for a long time.
The tendency is to move slowly and
carefully to allow time to develop the
loyalty and trust necessary to establish
relationships and make decisions.
Be patient, and make sure that you
never make any comments that could
offend the Greek honor system or your
Greek colleague.
8. Greeks are conservative and classy for
both men and women.