Business Etiquette

Business Etiquette

Business visitors to Sofia should request meetings well in advance and arm themselves with documents detailing interest and position. Bulgarian people with senior positions are likely to be former Communist party members, so be prepared for some officiousness. Otherwise most meetings are more relaxed, often followed by lunch or dinner. 

Dress code is standard suit and tie for men, although this could well be more relaxed especially in warmer weather. Women can dress more daringly if desired - local businesswomen might wear short skirts, high heels and plunging necklines. English is generally well understood, although employing an interpreter would help. Note that in Bulgaria, nodding of the head means ‘no', while shaking the head means ‘yes'.

Standard office hours in Sofia are 0900-1800 and punctuality is important - even if locals tend to be a little late. Bureaucracy is often slow and complicated, so patience is essential. However, after-hours socialising with Bulgarians is lively, with a prodigious intake of food and alcohol - foreigners are advised not to attempt to keep up. Inviting business contacts to lunch or dinner is a common practice. Lunch usually begins at noon and dinner at 1900 or later. Favourite topics of conversation are sports and new economic and political changes. Gifts of top-quality foreign whisky are almost always appreciated.