Business
Etiquette
It is normal for business visitors to address new associates by
their first names followed by ‘Bey’
(sir) or ‘Hanim’ (lady). Ottoman
society was exceptionally hierarchical and this system
still remains unshakable in Turkish business practice, however,
hosts (many of them women) may appear modern. The boss will often
have a huge, deluxe office in which to entertain, while employees
just outside the door are squashed into overcrowded spaces and have
little authority delegated to them. Secretaries are hardly ever
empowered to take important messages or even know the boss’s
schedule, so when telephoning, it is usual for callers to be told
to ring back ‘one hour later’ or fax your queries. Once
the appropriate contacts have been made, however, business visitors
are generally treated with personal warmth and courtesy.
Business meetings could be formal or take place over dinner, and
punctuality is at all times expected. Relations
between business equals can be profusely generous and although one
is expected to make at least a gesture of resisting, the boss will
almost always insist on taking visitors to the most expensive places
in town and footing the entire bill. Turkish people
do, however, love having their photos taken with visiting
dignitaries, even more so if it appears in print somewhere,
so visitors should bring a camera. When visiting people’s
homes, flowers or sweets are more appropriate than alcohol; as the
host might not drink. If they do drink, however, good whisky is
a definite hit.
Business dress is the same as
in Europe or North America, though women
are advised to wear business suits with skirts below the knee. Visiting
businesswomen will generally be treated with the same respect as
male colleagues. However, women should be alert that after-dinner
invitations to accompany the men to a revue bar or belly-dancing
club in fact means going to an up market brothels, and a woman’s
company will be disliked. Women are advised to clarify the nature
of the establishment before going.
Business hours are technically 0900-1700, Monday to Friday, although
many employees are still expected to put in a 10 hour working day.
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