Greeting

During introductions, for example in a first business meeting, you should shake hands with everyone present. It is important to maintain direct eye contact and remember to mention your surname. A handshake not only starts but also ends every business meeting.

If you are introduced to a woman, wait for her to extend her hand to greet you. If she does not, just nod your head slightly.

During introductions, Hungarians first say their surname and then their first name, e.g. Javor Péter.

Recently, it has become common practice for colleagues to call each other by their first name regardless of their status. Usually the head of the unit sets unspoken rules of behaviour.

It is common for men to shake hands even at family reunions. Kissing and hugging (usually between a man and a woman or between women) are rituals of greeting in the family and between close friends.

Introduction

In Hungarian culture, the usual order of introduction is: first the surname, then the first name. However, a foreign guest should, when introducing himself or herself, start with the first name, followed by the surname.

The style of communication in Hungary can be generally characterised as formal. It is established and maintained as such within companies, obliging employees to address each other by their surname and to mention their position or professional qualifications.

If people are of the same age and have been working together for a long time, the level of formality in communication is noticeably lower. And naturally they address each other by first name. A less formal tone is also generally characteristic of young employees.

In Hungarian business practice, when addressing a person, it is customary to mention (in addition to his/her name) his/her position, professional qualification or academic degree (title), if any.

For example, if your colleague or partner has a doctoral degree, he/she should be addressed as follows: Doktor Javor Péter. His wife fully adopts the degree, surname and first name, only the suffix -né is added to the latter, which means "the wife of someone", e.g. Doktor Javor Péterné.

Women who have achieved academic degrees and titles (e.g. doctor or professor) usually retain their surnames after marriage.

Exchange of Business Cards

The exchange of business cards is part of business etiquette in Hungary. They are exchanged quite often, so you should have a sufficient supply of business cards with you.

On a woman's business card you can see 2 surnames, e.g. Dr Javorné, Szendrey Júlia, where the first one is the husband's surname with the suffix -né and the second one is the maiden name of the cardholder.

The text of the business card can be in English. However, a Hungarian version on the other side would be good.

There is no special ritual for exchanging business cards in Hungary.

Small Talk: Overview

The Hungarian communication style can be characterised as polite, reserved and friendly.

In many cultures, such questions as How are you? How are you doing? are perceived in many cultures as a greeting question that does not imply an answer. However, your Hungarian partner could probably see it as your sincere interest in his or her affairs. Hungarians can sometimes be quite frank, sharing things that are very personal in other countries.

If your Hungarian colleague senses insincerity, aloofness and reticence on your part during a conversation, and even more so during negotiations, your communication may have no future.

During communication, avoid active gesticulation and physical touching, keep a certain distance between yourself and your partner, maintain direct eye contact.

In communication Hungarians may keep restraint, especially with people they do not know well. It is not customary to smile without feeling really friendly. Smiling too often will be received with scepticism.

Preferred Topics

Hungarian food, groceries and wine are a source of pride for Hungarians. Saying something nice about any of them will help to melt the ice in the conversation and initiate the development of personal relationships.

Nature of the country, places of interest.

Art, theatre, antiques.

Sports topics, especially the Olympic Games.

Current events, business news, economic issues.

After establishing a relationship, Hungarians will be open to discussing more personal topics.

Taboo Topics

Political topics are an absolute taboo. Especially painful will be any statements referring to Hungary's recent socialist past. Any value judgements should be avoided as they may be misinterpreted by your partner.

The historical events that Hungary was involved in during the 20th century, in particular the First World War and the Treaty of Trianon, which resulted in the country losing around 70% of its territory and 60% of its population.

Any comparisons with neighbouring countries such as Romania will be painfully perceived. Nor should the capitals - Budapest and Bucharest - be confused. In addition, it should be remembered that Hungarians, unlike, for example, Czechs and Croats, are not Slavs.

Criticism of Hungarian cuisine, food, wines may offend your partner from this country.

You should not start talking about luxury items that Hungarians cannot afford to buy due to high prices (cars, houses, etc.).

Personal Space

Comfortable speaking distance in Hungary is usually an arm's length or a little more. This is the usual comfort zone of speaking people in most Western European countries.

Physical contact during communication is not accepted in any of its forms, be it patting, hugging, etc. The exception is the handshake, which people exchange when greeting or saying goodbye.

During communication it is important to maintain eye contact with the interlocutor, which in Hungarian society can be characterised as direct and quite intense.

Communication Specifics

Relationship building is important in Hungarian business culture. A polite, discreet, attentive, serious, sincere line of behaviour will be appreciated by your Hungarian colleague and will lay the foundations for effective cooperation.

Business meetings are usually quite formal, but not tense, rather relaxed and even casual.

It takes time to build trust in a relationship, as well as joint participation in various social activities.

Do not allow familiarity in communication, formalities should be observed in any case.