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Although Poland was communist for very long
time it is very class-based, even if it is not just a simple division
according to wealth of the individual. People tend to socialize very much with
their own kind.
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Education is very important and it is unlikely
that people with high education will socialize with those who are not
educated. It is still quite uncommon for an educated man to marry a non-
educated woman.
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Your class is also decided by your family's
status. People from the rural areas are generally perceived as lower class. In
Warsaw, people are probably judged more on the basis of their own achievements
and money. It may be important to notice that Poland had large population of
nobility before the Second World War. However, most aristocrats were killed
during the war, during the Stalinist area with the few survivors emigrating or
marrying ordinary Poles.
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Polish people are quite emotional. At the same
time, they are concerned with how people perceive them. Men are expected to
stay calmer than women do and be "strong" but women are expected to be more
reserved and not show emotions, especially if they are directed towards the
opposite sex.
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Poles are well known for their temperament (polski
temperament) and tend to display more emotion publicly.
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Politeness requires that men open doors for
women and generally let the women go first and the same applies to anyone your
senior or a guest of either sex.
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Flowers are very popular among Poles, who give
them on many occasions, notably birthday and name-day celebrations, weddings,
and visits to Polish homes. Bring them unwrapped, odd in number and avoid red
roses (lovers’ buds) and chrysanthemums (which are used at funerals).
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It is not uncommon to see close friends greet
each other with three consecutive kisses on alternate cheeks. Others stroll
arm-in-arm, while Polish gentlemen offer women their arms with ease.
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Business attire is
generally formal, including a suit and a tie for men, and a suit or dress for
women.
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It is important
to know that Polish office workers sometimes overdress; for example, a guy in a
photocopy room who could wear casual clothes will wear suit and tie.
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Polish women
have reputation for being very well groomed. To some foreigners may seem that
they are overdressed. Most female office workers wear high heels quite a lot of
make up, painted nails; etc.
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A good place to start a conversation would be
either topic. Admiring things that are Polish are exceptional icebreakers, so
too is an effort to speak Polish. As an admirable sign of respect, your
attempts at speaking Polish will be very well received.
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Do not discuss religion with most Poles.
Declarations about religion may not, in fact, be reflected in the way people
lead they life.
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Other issues to avoid are abortion (which is
practically illegal in Poland); gay rights; drugs.
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After four decades of Soviet domination,
things Russian are still not popular. If you are of Russian ancestry it is
best to keep it under wraps.
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You know many famous Polish intellectuals- you
just don’t know they are Polish. Mikolaj Kopernik (Nicolas Copernicus),
scientist Marie Curie (Maria Shodowska), Pope John Paul II (who is highly
revered in this 95% Roman Catholic country), filmmaker Roman Polanski,
composer Frederic Chopin, writer Joseph Conrad and poet Adam Mickiewicz are
Polish national treasures and a source of great pride. Expressing a genuine
appreciation of any individual is a terrific icebreaker.
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Additionally, conversations about food, sports
and the beauty of Poland are positive topics of discussion, while the Second
World War, the Soviet occupation, sex and religion are not.
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As far as tone of voice and directness are
concerned you should be just "polite". If you are a woman, you may find that
men talk to you less directly than to other men. Some men will feel obliged to
shower you with complements before, during and after business conversation.
They may also refrain from swearing in front of you because you are a lady.
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Polish sense of humor is an acquired taste and
takes some getting used to. Unlike the North American variant, the Polish one
tends to accentuate the underlying irony or sarcasm of a situation, rather
than an overt proverbial pie in the face. Since humor is often
culture-dependent, the punch line might make no sense but we all want to be
polite and look semi-intelligent.
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Greetings between business
associates are Western in style with a dash of Polish flair.
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Exchanging business cards
is a favorite pastime.
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Universal handshakes
usually begin a meeting and during negotiations in Poland a handshake means
that a talk is over rather than “it’s a deal.” Yet, a foreign man should wait
for a woman to extend her hand before he follows suit. If he wishes to show
additional respect he may make a short bow.
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Foreign businesswomen
should not be surprised or offended if a Polish man (particularly an older
gentleman) kisses their hand in greeting. It is considered a sign of respect.
It is not recommended nor are foreign businessmen expected to kiss hands, but
if one is moved to try, he should bend at the waist and bow his head to her
hand. The kiss is placed on the back of the hand, not the fingers.
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Unless asked to do so, do not address your
Polish business associate by his/her first name. The safest way to address a
Pole is by using "pan" (pahn - sir) or "pani" (pahnee - madam) accompanied by
their job title or last name. Using "panna" (pahnah - miss) for an unmarried
woman is not recommended, use "pani" instead.
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As in many cultures, eye contact is essential.
Speaking to someone while looking up at the ceiling or gazing off into space
might be interpreted as a sign of disrespect and just plain bad manners.
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Poles might take a little longer to build
trust with a complete stranger, however, considering four decades of
socialism, this should not be surprising. Yet, this "complex" tends to fade
away quickly as a relationship evolves.
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Rather than veering off to a safer topic,
Poles often do not mind exchanging opinions. Instead, disagreements are
treated as a natural part of discourse. Differences, however, do not threaten
rapport; they kindle colorful conversation. But there are limits. When
civility is lost and a loud circular argument drags on, social acceptability
plummets.
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In business discussions, Poles usually move
fairly quickly to substantive issues.
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Presentations need not be fancy, as long as
they are clear and easily understood.
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Never be condescending or offer an ultimatum
-- bargaining is not Polish style.
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Contracts are serious. They should be clear,
concise and translated into both Polish and English.
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It is not unusual to be served vodka or brandy
at an office upon the conclusion of a meeting. Often there will be other
things to drink as well, such as soda water, fruit juice, tea or coffee.
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Poles tend to arrive promptly and will bring
their spouses if the invitation includes them.
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Few Poles use their homes for business
entertaining, preferring instead to use restaurants.
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If you are invited to a Polish home, you
should view it as a gesture on their part that goes beyond official or
business duty, and bring a gift of flowers, candy or liquor.
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Standards of hospitality are high and every
attempt will be made to make you comfortable and accord you the honor due to
guest.
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Vodka, brandy and other liquors will probably
be brought to the table. Spirits are served in a small glass, meant to be
swallowed in a single gulp.
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Toasts are made over hard liquor, not wine or
beer. Toasts are initiated by the host and are usually an expression of
hospitality, gratitude, friendship or good wishes. It is customary for the
guest to return the compliment by making a toast of his own. The most frequent
toast of all is na zdrowie (to your health).
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There is a traditional attitude that a person
refusing to drink is afraid of something, cannot maintain self-control, or has
something to hide.
Other
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Population:
38,158,100 as of 2004
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Area Total:
312,683 km2
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Capital:
Warsaw
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Climate:
Temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately serve winters with frequent
precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers
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Languages:
Polish
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Currency:
1 zloty (Z1$) = 100 groszy
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Holiday:
Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)
Sources
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/cfsi-icse/cil-cai/inter-source/w-en.asp?iso=pl#target3
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inimr-ri.nsf/en/gr121323e.html
http://www.tradepartners.gov.uk/poland/visiting/11_hoursandetiquette/hours.sh
http://workabroad.lycos.monster.com/articles/poland/
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