Social Institutions: Business Customs and Practices

Business Meeting Etiquette

• Greeks prefer to do business with those they know and trust.  Thus, they maintain an intricate web of family and friends to call upon for business assistance since they can be confident of their trustworthiness.

• Nepotism is not viewed negatively and it is very common for relatives to work for the same company.

• Greeks prefer face-to-face meetings rather than doing business by telephone or in writing, which are seen as too impersonal.

• Under no circumstances should you publicly question someone's statements.  Greeks do not like people who are pretentious or standoffish.

• Although business is relaxed, it is also serious. Acting informal before a relationship has developed is considered discourteous.

• Appointments are necessary and should be made 1 to 2 weeks in advance, although it is often possible to schedule them on short notice. 

•   Confirm meetings one day in advance by telephone.

• Many businesspeople eat lunch between 1 and 3 p.m., so this is not the optimal time for a meeting.

•  Quite often it is not until the third meeting that business is actually conducted. During the first meeting your Greek business colleagues will want to get to know something about you as a person. The second meeting is used to develop trust and mutual respect. By the third meeting, business may begin.

•  Have printed material available in both English and Greek.  Although some business people speak English, it is a good idea to hire an interpreter.