Cultural Tips for Czech Republic – including valuable business travel tips for Czech Republic!
When setting business appointments, which are mandatory in the Czech Republic, always make them well in advance.
Punctuality for meetings is important and it is taken extremely seriously. It is generally considered inappropriate to be more than five minutes late.
Czechs are rather private people until they get to know you. They are formal and reserved in business, so it’s best that you relate to business in the same way.
Once you develop a personal relationship Czechs may be more open, but they are never overly emotional in business.
Do not interrupt or raise the level of your voice during business discussions with Czech businesspeople.
Respect your Czech counterparts’ sense of personal space. Close personal contact and expressive touching between business acquaintances is frowned upon.
The Czechs value hospitality as a means through which to build both personal and business relationships.
Don’t refuse any invitations offered to you, because crucial business decisions are often made outside the business environment.
Expect to participate in some form of small talk and introductory conversation before jumping into business discussions with Czech businesspeople.
Don’t be surprised if your Czech counterparts ask you about your personal earnings. This is an acceptable inquiry, even though they don’t usually discuss their own wealth.
Czechs are basically non-confrontational and often take an indirect approach to business dealings.
If they lower their eyes and become silent, they are uncomfortable with something you have said.
It will likely take several meetings for your Czech business associates to become familiar with you and appear comfortable and friendly.
One of the most underlying and inherent features of the Czech culture is their polite and humble approach to life.
During business dealings a direct “no” will often be replaced by an expression such as “it is difficult” or “we will see” in order to avoid confrontation and maintain a certain level of politeness.
Business is conducted slowly. You need to be patient and not appear ruffled by their adherence to protocol.
Leadership and authority are vertical in structure and business is hierarchical. Decision-making power is held at the top of the company.
Czech managers will tend to maintain their status and separate themselves from subordinates.
As a result of the hierarchical system of Czech business, decision-making power is centralized and is rarely questioned or challenged by those of a lower rank.
Negotiations typically take longer in the Czech Republic because decisions are reached more slowly.
Avoid any high-pressure tactics. Czechs generally offer what they expect to get and do not often give many counteroffers.
5 Key Conversation or Cultural Gesture Tips
Good discussion topics include the weather, nature and historical beauty
Czechs will be interested in your home country, city and culture
Your work experience and humorous anecdotes are always appreciated
Czechs enjoy talking about hobbies and sports such as golf, tennis and soccer
Anything related to art, music, and culture is always enjoyed
5 Key Conversation or Cultural Gesture Taboos
Avoid extremely serious topics not related to work
Global problems, war, nuclear issues, or pollution are best to avoid
Don’t bring up the topic of money unless they ask you about it
Politics in general aren’t good topics of discussion
Don’t bring up the old communist regime because that is uncomfortable history
Bon Voyage!
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Cultural Tips for Czech Republic – including some valuable business travel tips for Czech Republic
This article on cultural differences in Czech Republic and cultural travel tips for Czech Republic is a brief snapshot of conversation guidelines for Czech Republic, tips for communicating in Czech Republic, and business strategies for Czech Republic to help with understanding the culture in Czech Republic. It’s important to keep in mind that as we homogenize as a ‘global culture,’ cultural tendencies change and evolve as well. Awareness is the first step when it comes to cultural Do’s and Taboos for Czech Republic and tips for intercultural communication!
It’s easy for business travelers to think that even when they travel, business is going to be done pretty much the same way it is at home. But that’s not always the case. Cultural differences can have a significant impact on global business etiquette. That’s why it’s important for business travelers to make sure that they understand the culture of the country that they’re doing business in.
Emmy Award Winner, Gayle Cotton, is the author of this blog and of the bestselling cross-cultural communication book ‘SAY Anything to Anyone, Anywhere! 5 Keys to Successful Cross-Cultural Communication’, which is available on Amazon as a Book, eBook, or Audio Book. She is President of Circles Of Excellence Inc. and a Professional Keynote Speaker. Contact Gayle if you need professional speakers for events, speakers on cultural diversity, conference speakers for events, or keynote speakers that specialize in cross-cultural training. She is a leader in the field of public speakers, motivational speakers, and international keynote speakers. She is among the best of female keynote speakers and women motivational speakers and is a ‘first choice’ request for international audiences!
Circles Of Excellence provides Corporate Training, Leadership Coaching, and Professional Keynote Speakers for companies of all sizes and in all industries, including over 50 Fortune 500 companies. Contact us about our custom training programs for Communication Skills, Cross-Cultural Communication, Cultural Diversity, Customer Service, Leadership Coaching, Presentation Skills, Sales Negotiations, Stress Management, Team building, and Time Management Training.
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