Greeting

A handshake is the accepted form of greeting in Mongolia, both in society at large and in business practices.

If you greet someone by saying a few phrases or words in Mongolian, it will be seen as a sign of respect for the country's culture by your colleague in Mongolia.

Forms of greeting like hugs and cheek kisses, which are common between friends and relatives in many other cultures, are not widespread in Mongolia. In informal settings, it is possible to see an older person greet a younger person by taking their hand and bringing it close to their face without actually touching it.

It is important to show respect towards elderly people. In the Mongolian language, there are several ways to address them, including different forms of the pronoun "You," which vary depending on the person's age and hierarchical position in the company.

During a greeting, especially during the first meeting, it is important to maintain direct eye contact with your Mongolian colleague. This helps build more sincere relationships.

Introduction

In Mongolian society, it is customary to address each other by first names. This is primarily due to the fact that Mongolian surnames are often very long. For the same reason, Mongolians frequently use nicknames, especially in informal settings.

However, in business and formal communication, when addressing a Mongolian partner, you should use their surname rather than their first name or nickname.

If the conversation is in English, use polite forms of address, such as Mr., Mrs., or Ms., followed by the person's surname.

Communication with officials, especially in government structures, tends to be quite formal. When addressing such a person, you should first mention their job title, such as Director or Department Head, followed by their surname.

When addressing an elderly person in Mongolia—whether a man or a woman—add the respectful suffix "-guai," for example, Baatar-guai or Sarnai-guai. This respectful particle can be used when the speakers, for some reason, do not know each other's names or surnames.

In Mongolia, there are accepted forms of address for elderly or older people. For men, these include: -guai, -akha, -agaa; for women: -emee, ajaa (something like "grandmother"), or -egch, -egee, -ania (typically for middle-aged women, meaning "older sister").

After marriage, a woman retains her surname, which is often her father's name. Typically, children take their father's name as their surname.

Exchange of Business Cards

In addition to your last name, first name, and contact information, also include your position in the company, such as your job title. This will help your Mongolian colleague understand your place in the company's hierarchy and adjust their behavior toward you accordingly.

For a business trip to Mongolia, it’s a good idea to prepare several versions of business cards with different languages on them. You can use both sides of the card, with Mongolian on one side and, for example, English on the other.

In Mongolia’s business and official circles, exchanging business cards is common. So, it’s best to always have a sufficient supply of cards with you. During business meetings, the exchange of cards usually takes place at the beginning.

There is no special ritual for exchanging business cards in Mongolia. Just note that you should hand your card to your Mongolian colleague or receive their card with your right hand or with both hands.

Small Talk: Overview

In Mongolia, great importance is placed on developing and maintaining relationships, especially with foreign partners. However, you should not expect much time to be dedicated to small talk during business meetings.

In formal settings, Mongolians tend to behave quite reservedly, refraining from openly displaying emotions. However, in informal settings with people they know well, their behavior becomes more expressive.

At the beginning of a relationship, particularly during the first meeting, your Mongolian partner may ask where you are from or who your father was. Don’t be surprised; your Mongolian partner is simply trying to get to know you better.

If you plan to spend some time in Ulaanbaatar, it makes sense to discuss this with your Mongolian colleague. They will gladly answer your questions about how to better organize your life in the capital, recommend a restaurant or café, a shopping center for your needs, or a reliable taxi service. Such questions will indicate the development of a more trusting relationship between you.

Formality, modesty, and simplicity are the key principles to follow when building relationships with Mongolian partners. Theatrical gestures and pompous phrases will be poorly received by your Mongolian colleagues.

Preferred Topics

A possible and safe topic for small talk, especially to start a conversation, is the weather. For reference: Ulaanbaatar is considered the coldest capital in the world.

Your Mongolian partners will appreciate discussing the national festivals held in the country, especially Naadam, celebrated annually in mid-summer as Mongolia's national holiday.

Sports are a very popular topic in Mongolia, particularly wrestling and horse racing, as well as the victories of Mongolian athletes in the Olympic Games, particularly in judo, boxing, and shooting.

Mongolians will gladly engage in a conversation about the country's economic growth and achievements. They will be pleased to hear your positive impressions of Mongolian culture, historical monuments, local landmarks, and nature.

A good topic for conversation could be the province your partner is from, especially if you have visited that province or know about it for some reason.

Taboo Topics

Personal topics should be avoided, especially in the early stages of developing business relationships. Questions about family, health, age, or financial status are considered inappropriate when speaking with foreigners. Likewise, it is not customary to make any remarks about a person’s appearance.

Refrain from talking about your personal life or family, especially if your conversation partner is an official working in a Mongolian government agency. Such discussions will make them feel very uncomfortable.

Interestingly, Mongolians themselves may occasionally make comments about a person’s appearance or ask foreign guests personal questions, such as their marital status or plans to have a family and children, especially if the guest is a woman.

Sensitive and sometimes even contentious topics include politics, history, and religion. Avoid criticizing or repeating common stereotypes about Genghis Khan, who is a national hero in Mongolia.

Do not compare or mix Mongolian culture with Chinese or Buryat culture. Mongolia has its own unique culture, which the people of the country are very proud of.

Foreign men should avoid giving compliments to Mongolian women, as this could be misinterpreted.

Personal Space

The comfortable distance for communication in Mongolian society may generally be slightly smaller than in other cultures, such as Central or Northern Europe. Observe your Mongolian colleagues during interactions at events to draw your own conclusions.

The so-called comfort zone for communication can vary depending on several factors. One of these is the level of trust and closeness between the individuals. With people from their "inner circle," Mongolians are more comfortable communicating at a relatively close distance, typically less than 1 meter (or an arm’s length).

With less familiar or unfamiliar individuals, Mongolians will follow accepted social distance norms, which dictate increasing the space between interlocutors, often over 1 meter.

Another factor influencing comfortable communication distance is a person's status in society or their position in the company. When speaking to someone of higher rank, a Mongolian will maintain a greater distance. In the workplace, this distance will generally be larger than at home.

Avoid physical contact during conversations with Mongolian colleagues. The exception is handshakes as a form of greeting.

If you wish to hand something to a Mongolian colleague (for example, a gift), do so with your right hand, not your left.

Communication Specifics

Mongolia has a unique culture rooted in the country’s rich history and its remarkable geographic location between Russia and China.

Communication in Mongolian society can vary significantly depending on where people live, the professional sphere they work in, and even the company they work for. For example, the communication style of employees in domestic companies may differ from that of those working in multinational corporations.

An important aspect of communication among Mongolians is the context or situation, which already holds a certain meaning. It is assumed that participants understand this meaning because they have lived together for a long time, so there is no need to repeat what is already known. Therefore, communication can be quite concise and to the point.

When working with foreigners, Mongolians generally follow the established communication rules and norms of their culture, expecting their conversation partners to fill in the gaps that may arise. However, this often leads to misunderstandings and misinterpretations.

In business interactions, Mongolians prefer a direct and unambiguous communication style. They expect their partners to express clear intentions, goals, or proposals. This might explain why small talk is not given much importance.

When communicating with Mongolian colleagues, especially in the early stages of business relationships, it is important to maintain a formal communication style. It is also customary to show respect for people who are older, higher in social status, or hold a more senior position in the company.