Proper Polish business etiquette is essential to gain new partners and clients in Poland’s business community. Becoming confident with the appropriate nuances developed over centuries in Polish business etiquette will help you establish new partners and clients in this wonderful part of the old country, translating into success for your business. Impress your Polish colleagues by becoming aware of what they value and be confident in your use of proper etiquette, which will enhance your network in the Polish market.

1. Foreign Staffing, Inc.

2.  Proper Polish business etiquette
Impress your Polish colleagues by
becoming aware of what they
value and be confident in your use
of proper etiquette, which will
enhance your network in the Polish
market.
 Proper Polish business etiquette
is essential to gain new partners
and clients in Poland’s business
community.
 Becoming confident with the
appropriate nuances
developed over centuries in
Polish business etiquette will help
you establish new partners and
clients in this wonderful part of
the old country, translating into
success for your business.

3.  Shake hands first, and be sure to shake
hands with everyone individually.
 Always wait for a woman to extend her
hand first.
 Never kiss the hand of a businesswoman in
Poland.
 Be sure to use titles. Keep in mind that Poles are impressed by academic
and professional titles.
 Include titles on your business cards.
 It is important that you be invited by your Polish colleagues to be on a first
name basis.

4.  Building relationships is key. Poles
want to know who you are and what
your values are before doing business.
 Developing that strong bond is vital.
 Trust is very important in business
connections.
 Be ready for small talk at the
beginning of a meeting.
 This will help your Polish colleagues
get to know you better and become
more confident in creating a bond
with you.
 Respect authority; remember that
Polish businesses are hierarchical.
 The most senior members of a
company will often make the final
decisions, and know that the most
senior member in a meeting will set
a verbal agenda.

5.  Go that extra mile and impress your
Polish colleagues by getting a Polish
translation of all relevant
documents.
 Learning a few Polish phrases will
also impress your Polish colleagues.

6.  Avoid scheduling meetings in June, July
or February.
 These are popular vacation months in
Poland.
 Also avoid scheduling meetings on
Sundays as they are reserved for family
time.
 Don’t be surprised if a business lunch
starts at 4:00 p.m., as the Polish
workday is ending.
 Lunches and dinners help your Polish
colleagues build relationships with you.

7.  Be political: your Polish colleagues
take great care in deciphering the
emotions of the other person in order
to tailor any remarks accordingly.
After a relationship has been
recognized, Poles will become more
honest. It is also considered rude to
keep your hands in your pockets and
to sit with one ankle rested on your
knee.

8.  Dress conservatively.
 Men and women both should wear suits
when working with big companies.
 When working with a small or medium-
sized company, dress can be more casual.
Always wear passive colors, like black,
grey, brown or beige, rather than vivid
colors. Women should avoid too much
jewelry.
 The Polish business culture is modest and
conservative. Always make sure your
clothes are well cared for, always wrinkle
free.