Ethiopian Business Etiquette

Ethiopians prize social relationships in business

Ethiopia is a very traditional society. There are many customs and ceremonies preserved in everyday social interactions in the country. This observance of etiquette is equally strong in the workplace, and those who wish to do business in Ethiopia need to be aware of what's considered polite.

Basics

Business hours are generally 8:30 to 5:30, Monday to Friday, with an hour taken for lunch. Formal business wear is the standard, with men in suits and ties. For women, short skirts would be considered unsuitable. If you are doing business in Addis Ababa, you can expect most business people to speak at least some English. However, if you master a few words of Amharic, this will be a huge help in establishing goodwill.

Establishing Relationships

Ethiopians think of themselves as conducting business only with friends, so they take time to build social relationships with business partners. You will probably find yourself spending more time than you would consider usual on social interaction before any business is discussed, but it's wise to relax and go with this pace.

Greeting

A handshake with direct eye contact is the normal form of first greeting in Ethiopia between people of the same gender, but it should be noted that the handshake is usually light, and not the firm grip that might be more usual in Western countries. Ethiopians are generally not comfortable with direct contact across genders. If you are offering your business card, do it with your right hand. It's considered polite not to rush through a greeting -- take time to ask after the person's health or make some small talk about their work.

Style of Address

Address people by their honorific and then first name, unless you are invited to drop the honorific. It's considered rude to speak too loudly, and your conversation should remain humble and respectful. Ethiopians place great emphasis on honor and dignity, and it would be considered highly unprofessional to do anything that might cause embarrassment.

Meetings

There will seldom be a rigid schedule or agenda for business meetings. There may be extended social small talk accompanied by tea or coffee at the start of a meeting. You should not initiate discussion, but wait for your hosts to do so. You should not expect meetings to end at a particular time, but when your Ethiopian hosts decide that matters have been resolved or sufficiently discussed.

References

• Kwintessential: Ethiopia -- Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette
• Culture Crossing: Ethiopia -- Culture, Customs and Etiquette