Communication

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 599.

Business Etiquette, Customs and Protocol

Dining Etiquette

If you are invited to a Azeri home for food:
o Remove your shoes before entering the house. You may be offered slippers to wear.
o Punctuality is not paramount. Arriving within 30 minutes of the stipulated time is socially acceptable,
o Dress casually but smartly. Never wear tight or revealing clothing.
o If there are many people present shake hands with everyone.
o Table manners are fairly formal. If in doubt watch what others do.
o Remain standing until invited to sit down. You may be shown to a particular seat.
o Keep your elbows off the table and your hands above the table when eating.
o The hostess generally serves the food. The elderly are served first, then the guests, and finally the children.
o Use your right hand only to eat and to pass things.

o Although direct communication is seen as a postive in Azerbaijan, one also has to be careful to employ such directness.
o Information should always be presented in a way that is diplomatic and sensitive so as not to cause loss of face.
o The level of directness you can use is dictated by who you are speaking with.
o If it is a new, formal or important relationship diplomacy s critical. If the relationship is well developed and a level of openness has been established a little more honesty is fine.