What are common business greeting customs in Ukraine
Common business greeting customs in Ukraine include the following:
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Formal Greetings: Ukrainians prefer formal greetings in business contexts. Typical formal greetings include saying “Добрий день” (Dobryi den) meaning “Good day,” or “Здрастуйте” (Zdrastuite) which is a polite “hello.” Time-specific greetings like “Добрий ранок” (Dobryi ranok) for “Good morning” and “Добрий вечір” (Dobryi vechir) for “Good evening” are also common in professional settings. 1, 4
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Handshakes: The standard business greeting involves a warm, firm handshake while maintaining direct eye contact. It is customary to repeat your name during the handshake. When departing, shaking hands again is common. Men typically shake hands with men, and women may also shake hands with men or kiss on the cheek if they are familiar. 3, 6, [10]
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Use of Titles and Formal Address: In business, it is respectful to address colleagues by their title and surname, such as “Pan” (Mr.) or “Pani” (Ms./Mrs.) plus the surname. Academic or professional titles are highly respected and often included on business cards, sometimes translated into Ukrainian or Russian. 6
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Polite Phrases: Common polite phrases in business greetings include “Ласкаво просимо” (Laskavo prosymo), which means “Welcome,” “Дякую” (Dyakuyu) for “Thank you,” and “Будь ласка” (Bud’ laska) for “Please”. 5
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Building Relationships: Ukrainians like to build personal rapport before engaging in business. Light personal conversation at the beginning of meetings is typical, and it is common to let the Ukrainian counterpart steer the discussion from personal topics to business. 6
These customs highlight the formality, warmth, and respect that characterize business greetings in Ukraine. Firm handshakes, proper use of titles, polite language, and initial personal rapport are central elements. 4, 3, 5, 6