Greek business people are cheerful, straightforward, easily excited, and possess a high sense of humor, often enjoying jokes. A notable characteristic is that Greeks are sincere hosts, often so incredibly generous that it can leave guests feeling overwhelmed. When discussing business, Greek merchants may suddenly become enthusiastic and invite their partners to drink strong coffee and Greek spirits. As a new immigrant partner in Greece, one must readily accept; a blunt refusal would be seen as an insult.
When visiting Greek government agencies or factories, it is generally appropriate to make an appointment about two weeks in advance. Regarding body language, Greeks differ from the Chinese; they tilt their heads to indicate affirmation and tilt them upward to indicate negation. When conducting business in Greece, remember never to face your palm toward others, as this is their most taboo gesture.
It is worth noting that although Greeks engage in foreign trade and documents are generally in English, the national language is Greek, and not everyone speaks fluent English. To ensure smooth negotiations and communication, Chinese business people should generally hire an interpreter to assist with negotiations. Regarding time, according to Greek business customs, from May to October each year, many companies operate from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. In addition to statutory holidays, July and August are the months for major vacations in Greece. During these two months, almost all government agencies and enterprises are closed.
European business people prefer long-term business relationships and never expect to succeed in developing an unfamiliar market in one go. Therefore, doing business with them usually requires a long period of assessment. This requires Chinese people to learn patience after immigrating to Greece and doing business with Greek merchants. In specific business operations, contrary to their long assessment periods, they place great importance on rapid and effective feedback. If a letter sent by a Greek merchant is not replied to in a timely manner, they will consider it an unforgivable matter; in their view, this is a form of deliberate neglect and even an insulting act of contempt.
The above is the relevant content compiled by our editor on how to interact with Greeks. We hope it will be helpful to new immigrants in Greece.