What advice would you give to a business visitor coming to Italy, the UAE, to Russia?

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Italy

Lively conversation is common in Italy. Welcome topics of conversation include Italian architecture, art

and films, sports (especially football), opera and praising the hospitality of the country. It is best to avoid

criticizing Italian culture, even if your Italian counterparts are doing so. Don’t give a business gift until you receive one. Your gift should be a well known brand name. gifts of alcohol or crafts from your country are often good choices. Other possible gifts are fine pens, a framed print or picture, silver key rings or calculators. Avoid giving gifts showing your company’s logo. Hospitality plays a key role in Italian business culture. Regardless of how you feel, refusing an invitation of any kind may give offence. The business breakfast is almost unheard of. Rare exceptions may be found in the major cities. Business dinners involve only a small, exclusive group. If you are the host, check with your Italian contact before making any invitations. Lunch is still the main meal of the day in most areas of the country. It is usually served after 12:30 p.m. and often has many courses.

United Arab Emirates

The hosts usually set the subject of conversation. They will normally begin with polite enquiries (How are you? How are you enjoying your visit? etc.). If others arrived before you, your hosts will often tell

you the subject of the previous conversation and invite you to contribute. Giving gifts in the UAE is more complex than in other countries. This is partly because of the mixture of nationalities: each nationality

has different tastes and customs. Also, nearly everything can be purchased in the UAE less expensively than elsewhere in the world. As a gesture of respect, your host is likely to open and carefully examine

your gift in your presence. It is important that your gift is the best you can afford to avoid embarrassment. Sharing a meal is considered the best way for people to get to know one another. Locals

often entertain at home but they will accept a foreigner's invitation to a hotel or restaurant. Hospitality in the UAE is very important but should not be interpreted as future commercial success. There are local

customs to be aware of, for example, it is considered bad manners to either eat or offer something with the left hand.

Russia

Obtaining an appointment can be a tremendous challenge, so persistence and patience are essential. Once

your appointment is scheduled, do everything you can to avoid cancellation.

When making appointments, be sure to schedule them far in advance. It will also be in your best interests

to confirm any appointment several times, as the scheduled date approaches.

The Russian day begins early, but it can be difficult to foresee when all other daily activities will begin

and end. Schedules are constantly subject to change, often at the last minute. Any visitor should strive to be punctual, but at the same time flexible.

Always be punctual, but do not be surprised if your Russian contacts are not. It is not unusual for a

Russian to be one or two hours late for an appointment. Generally, the more important the meeting is for

your Russian counterparts, the more punctual they will be. Allow plenty of time for each appointment. Not only may appointments start late, they may last far longer than originally planned.

Business hours are generally from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

There is an old Russian proverb--"they meet you depending on how you're dressed and they say good

bye depending on how wise you seem."

Nowadays, Russian businesspeople pay a lot of attention to how they are dressed. Russian people in

general probably spend more money from their family budget on clothing then any other nation in the world.

Those who can't afford to buy top fashion brand clothing (such as Versace, Armani, Gucci, Calvin Klein or Hugo Boss) prefer to be dressed in cheaper but still well made suits rather than wear the fake products

widely available in numerous markets across the country.

If you're a man, your best bet will be to wear a suit and tie (make sure not to wear the same ones every

day) for all your meetings, whether it's in an office or restaurant. Dark colours and white shirts are only for special ocasions. Otherwise, choose tones in light blue, gray, or brown.

Visitors should try to speak in a calm, moderate, tone of voice at all times.

Usually, your Russian colleagues will be delighted if you make the effort to speak even a few sentences

of their language. Nevertheless, if your Russian party speaks your languge, your decision to speak

Russian may cause confusion (e.g.--they might think that their English is not good enough).

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Russians are sometimes very careful about what they say, and may revert to speaking metaphorically, symbolically, and perhaps even cryptically. Consequently, there is a great deal of reliance on nonverbal communication. At other times, however, they can be extremely frank; it all depends on the situation. When a Russian touches another person during conversation, it is usually a sign of confidence.

You will sometimes find the Russians to be enthusiastic about discussing politics and the challenges of

living in Russia. Participating in this kind of discussion and expressing your views (even if they are opposite) is more welcome than just being an active listener.

Bringing up the subject of Russian culture and history can be an appreciated gesture. Russians are extremely educated--so don't be surprised if they start to talk about the history (more likely than culture)

of your own country. Be prepared.

Personal questions are best avoided, although you may be subject to these inquiries. Make the effort to

answer these questions as best as you are willing to allow, since your Russian companions may press you for details.

There is tremendous affection for children in this culture; if you are a parent, showing photographs of your children can be an effective way of building good will.

In conversation, it can be permissible to discuss your feelings and hopes for the future. Sometimes, your

Russian companions will be far more interested in the personal side of your character than your business

agenda.

Welcome Topics of Conversation the changes taking place in Russia current events

World War II

economic difficulties

positive contrasts and comparisons between Russia and your country [let your Russian companions bring up this subject first]

books films

Topics to Avoid complaints about Russia the Holocaust

the Czar and the monarchy

ethnic minorities religion

comparing/contrasting Russia to other developing countries comparing/contrasting Moscow and Saint Petersburg

Generally speaking, Russians take pleasure in giving and receiving gifts. Be sure to bring an assortment of gifts, so that you will always have something appropriate to give.

Cheaper gifts do not have to be wrapped, while more expensive ones should be.

Gifts for children are usually opened in private, while gifts for adults are generally opened in the

presence of others. If your gift was a hit, you will hear many 'thank-yous.'

Russians spend a lot of money on gifts. Avoid giving gifts such as pencils, pens, lighters (unless they are

expensive ones), cheap wine or vodka, notebooks, etc.

When invited to a Russian home, bring a gift of chocolates, dessert items, good wine, or other alcohol

[try to select something other than vodka, which is widely available].

Bringing a bouquet of flowers (not too expensive though) for women you are visiting (doesn't really matter how many of them are in the family you're visiting) is a good idea. Make sure you have an odd number of flowers. Even numbers usually are for funerals.