BUSINESS CULTURE IN SPAIN

Presentation is prepared by Daria Kokornikova

Dress code

Dress as you would in the rest of Europe

Elegant accessories are important for both

men and women

The Spaniards prefer dark colors in winter and light in summer

Greetings The appropriate

greeting in business is the usual handshake, but

some use two-handed handshake.

It is always polite to use the basic titles of

politeness : ‘Señor/Don’ (Mr),

‘Señora/Doña’ (Mrs), ‘Señorita’ (Miss) followed by the

surname.

Business cards should be printed in English on one side

and in Spanish overleaf

Safe topics

Good topics of conversation are aspects of your own

home country, Spanish football, flamenco.

Avoid politically charged topics

Don’t brag too much

Entertainments If invited to a Spaniard's home, you can

bring a gift (chocolates, wine, flowers)

If you are offered a gift, you should open it immediately in front of the giver

Meetings Spanish people are not known for

being punctual, however it is expected of you to be on time.

The agenda serves more as guidelines than a strict timetable.

Hierarchy and rank are important.

Ways of working

Business hours are Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 1:30 /2:00 pm

(morning) and from 4:30 /5:00 pm until about 8:00 pm (afternoon).

The Spanish enjoy meals as a social activity and do not necessarily expect to discuss

business at the table.

Although Spaniards work very hard, the way they live their lives

is much more relaxed then the northern Europeans or the

Americans.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!