Business
Business Etiquette
As in most modern urban centres, the nine-to-five mentality is no longer prevalent, with many employees working much longer hours. All public-sector organisations are bilingual but most private companies conduct business in English unless all parties speak Welsh. Overseas visitors should be prepared to speak English during meetings, if necessary through an interpreter. It is common practice to shake hands in greeting and to use ‘Mr’, ‘Ms’ etc. plus surnames, until both parties agree to use forenames. Professional or honorary titles should be acknowledged. Punctuality is expected for business meetings and suits are customary for both men and women; men should also wear a tie. It is advisable to carry business cards.
Business meetings in the UK can be fairly formal affairs, depending on their level. It is common for lunches and dinners to form part of the process and visiting business people are often entertained out of working hours by their hosts. However, it is more usual for the party doing the ‘selling’ to provide the hospitality, rather than the ‘buyer’. The exchange of gifts is not usually necessary but often the ‘seller’ will present them. It is also common for staff to socialise out of working hours at a local pub or wine bar, particularly towards the end of the week both during the lunch hour and immediately after the working day is over.
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