intercultural differences poland & russia. poland

Intercultural DifferencesPOLAND & RUSSIA

POLAND

Population: 38,635,000Capital: Warsaw 1.6 millionMain cities: Krakow 0.8 million, Wrolaw 0.6 million

Currency: Zloty, Groszy

Fertility rate: 1.39Life expectancy at birth: 74 yearsMain religous group:Roman Catholic (98,8%)

POLAND

General Information

POLAND

• lost independence in World War II

• became a communist country under the control of the former Soviet Union

• freed itself in 1989 by the democratic party “Solidarnosc”

• accepted in the EU in 2004

• usually handshake

• flatter women by a kiss on the hand

• personal title use, Mr (Pan), Mrs (Pani) followed by the first name or surname

•hugs (also men)

POLAND

Culture: Greeting

• while eating no conversations

• large vodka consumption, toast to the guest

• vodka bottle has to be emptied

POLAND

Culture: Cuisine

• punctuality is vital for establishing your reliability

• begin and end business with a small gift

• building individual business relationships

• particular attention and respect must be paid to older people

• negotiations are reserved and thoughtful

POLAND

Culture: Business

Do use personal titles Personal titles use, Mr. (Pan), Mrs. (Pani) followed by first name or surnametitle: director , doctor (in business)

Do try to learn some basic Polish words greeting phrases:

Dzień dobry (hello), Dobry wieczór (good evening), Do widsenja (Good-bye)

POLAND

Do’s and Don’ts

Do smile and maintain direct eye contact during your conversation

Don't be surprised if after the first meeting your partner engages more friendly conversation once initial relationship has been established

Don't over compliment

Don't try to hide your feelings and emotions

POLAND

Do’s and Don’ts

POLAND

Kroków

POLAND

Kroków stare miasto

old town

POLAND

Kroków stare miasto old town

POLAND

Szczawnica

POLAND

Dunajec

POLAND

Dunajec

POLAND

Dunajec

POLAND

Szczawnica

When entering the meeting room in Poland, if there are people you do not know, you should wait for a third person to initiate introductions ?

POLAND

Polish Culture Quiz – true or false?

POLAND

Polish offices operate an open door policy where you are free to enter and discuss business at any time

Polish Culture Quiz – true or false?

POLAND

If you are invited to a Polish home, a small gift such as a bottle of wine or flowers for your host is generally expected

Polish Culture Quiz – true or false?

Meetings are often scheduled for a Sunday when people have more time do discuss business matters.

POLAND

Polish Culture Quiz – true or false?

POLAND

It is quit acceptable to greet your Polish business colleagues with three “ air kisses”

Polish Culture Quiz – true or false?

RUSSIA

Population: 142,754,000Capital: Moscow 10,5 millionMain cities: St. Petersburg 4,7 million, Novosibirsk 1,4 million

Currency: Rubel, kopek

Fertility rate: 1.34Life expectancy at birth: 65.87 yearsMain religous group: Russian-orthodox (66%)

RUSSIA

General Information

• Boris Yeltsin established the Russian Federation in 1992 after the decay of the Soviet Union

• in 2000 Vladimir Putin became President

• Russian economy increases by 5 % to 10 %

RUSSIA

• when welcoming people, consider the ranking order and say the name with the titel of the person

• give a strong handshake as it shows character

• polite to name people by first name + “owitsch” (men) / ”ovna” (women)

RUSSIA

Culture: Greeting

• Russian cuisine with high fat content impolite not to try

• large vodka consumption always after a toast

• drinking vodka always goes in hand with eating

• more people drink tea than coffee

• it is allowed to smoke during the whole meal

RUSSIA

Culture: Cuisine

• important to make gifts (but no vodka!)

• Russians show great hospitality

• Russians are rather conservative better to wear conservative clothing with ordinary colours you should not wear shorts, short

skirts, clothings

RUSSIA

Culture: Other

• punctuality very important

• negotiations take longer than in Germany with more restaurant attendance

• timetables aren’t binding more flexible

• Russians are rather neutral

• confidence and personal relationship are very important

RUSSIA

Culture: Business

• never drink alcohol alone

• never give away yellow flowers symbol of misfortune

RUSSIA

Don’ts

RUSSIA

St. Basil's Cathedral and the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin

RUSSIA

Rostov-na-Donu

RUSSIA

Kamchatka

RUSSIA

Moscow State University

Russians like to get gifts in form of vodka!

RUSSIA

Russian Culture Quiz – true or false?

When greeting people it is always “ladies first”!

RUSSIA

Russian Culture Quiz – true or false?

Russian negotiations take longer than in Germany!

RUSSIA

Russian Culture Quiz – true or false?

Russians like to critic often and directly during a negotiation!

RUSSIA

Russian Culture Quiz – true or false?

Lukas and Vicky say

“Dzienkuje” and “Спасибо!“

for your attention

POLAND & RUSSIA