Angola
Business etiquette
Angola
Greeting
The greeting seems rather formal and polite. The traditional form of greeting is a handshake. It is common to shake hands with everyone present during a meeting. It is the same when we say goodbye.
Hands are shaken both among men and women. However, this does not always happen between the sexes. A man has to wait for a woman's initiative before extending her hand in greeting.
In Angola, it is customary to show respect to elders, both in age and position. In addition to a handshake, a slight bow is also common. These are the people who should be greeted first. Appropriate eye contact is important.
The eye contact is a marker of a person's status. Subordinates should not stare at their supervisor very often, much less for long periods of time. The same applies to managers with respect to those above them in the hierarchy. This is considered disrespectful behavior.
Women, especially the younger ones, also tend to avoid direct eye contact during introductions. Though this has become less important in recent years, especially in Luanda (the capital of Angola).
Africans tend to put their left hand on the wrist of their right hand when shaking hands as a sign of respect.
A significant element of greeting is the fairly short small small talk that follows, during which parties exchange general remarks and ask each other questions about health and family. This occurs when the relationship is already established. It is important to take time for this ritual without disrupting it with any hasty actions. This tradition is especially important if Angolans are your project partners. It is a simple and important way for them to build a really trusting relationship.
People in a friendly relationship exchange kisses, hug each other or pat each other on the back during the greeting. In the context of even partnered but formal contacts this is not customary.
Introduction
In formal, formal, and business situations, use your partner's title, degree, or title, if any, when addressing you. Examples of professional titles/titles are Doctor (Doctor), Ambassador (Ambassador), Director (Director).
Particularly be respectful when addressing older people.
If you do not know (or do not have) their professional title or rank, use polite forms of address: Mr, Ms, Mrs, Miss, followed by the person's last name.
In terms of using names and titles/titles, follow the example of your Angolan colleagues. Keep the level of formality appropriate to the situation.
In Angolan business practice, it is not customary to address each other by name in professional contacts. It is possible within family and among close friends. Your Angolan colleague should take the initiative.
Exchange of Business Cards
In Angolan business practice, it is customary to exchange business cards during the introduction at the beginning of the first meeting, after the greeting.
In any event, and in particular during lunch/dinner at a restaurant, business cards are exchanged before parting.
The text on at least one side of the business card must be in Portuguese, which is the official language of Angola.
Professional titles and titles as well as educational level and academic degrees are indicated on the business card. A cell phone number is also common.
There is no special ritual in Angolan business practice when handing over the business card. When handing over, please make sure there is text on the front of the business card which the recipient can read (e.g. in terms of language).
Business cards are handed out quite often, so you should have a sufficient supply when you travel.
Small Talk: Overview
Before starting a project together, Angolans try to get to know their potential partner, because establishing a relationship is at the heart of any business. In small talk, especially at the beginning, choose positive or neutral topics.
In conversations, especially with older people, it's important to be as polite and courteous as possible.
In conversations, avoid asking general questions that require a "yes" or (especially) "no" answer, especially if your question could be interpreted as a request. It's better to use so-called open-ended questions (e.g., "How do you plan to conduct this meeting?" or"What do you think about it?", which allow the person to choose the most tactful expression.
The way Angolans talk depends on who they are talking to. They communicate lively and emotionally with friends and acquaintances. People of higher status or strangers (even potential business partners) are rather reserved and respectful.
In Angolan culture, silence is an important part of conversation, with what seems like a silent pause and which shows they are paying attention to the topic. They are reflecting on what they have just heard. You should not be impatient if you think the pause is too long.
Angolans do not interrupt each other and wait until the other person has finished speaking. Interrupting a speaker is considered impolite, and in the case of a conversation with an older person, it is a serious breach of etiquette. Your Angolan partner will expect you to do the same.
Preferred Topics
Sports and especially soccer.
Travel, especially within Angola.
Common interests, hobbies, hobbies.
Angolan life outside of work.
Taboo Topics
Political topics, especially the policies of the Angolan government.
Avoid speaking critically about issues of concern to Angolan society, such as corruption or other negative aspects of the state.
A painful topic is the relatively recent (1975-2002) civil war in Angola.
Do not allow even veiled racist remarks.
Personal Space
It should be kept in mind that Angolans have a shorter distance of comfortable communication than in other cultures. They stand quite close to each other during conversations, especially in a group. You should not take a step back to stand further away from your conversation partner, this can be perceived as unfriendly behavior.
Angolans make extensive use of gestures and body language. Physical touching is not unusual, though it is not as expressive as in Latin American cultures.
Communication Specifics
In general, the style of communication in Angolan business practice can be characterized as polite and rather formal. A certain amount of attention is paid to protocol.
It is important to keep in mind that Angolans, as a rule, take the mood of their interlocutor into account in their communication and therefore may not express their opinion or judgment directly, so as not to hurt the feelings of the other person. On the contrary, they may say what they think they are expected or want to hear.
This is partly because Angolans have a long tradition of working together with family or tribal members. To maintain harmonious relationships it is important to be tactful, to avoid harsh judgments and generally not to express oneself too directly.
This also applies, incidentally, to the word "no," which many try not to use in speech because it can disturb harmony. If the speaker does need to express a negative answer, it will look rather evasive in Angola.
But such hidden meanings are well understood in Angolan society. However, foreigners will have to take the time to understand them and learn to respond to them adequately.
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