PUNCTUALITY
ALERTS!
• Schedule all your meetings
outside the summer months. Summers are the time when many scots
go on holiday
• Always arrive on time. Scottish
business culture does not aprreciate a person being late to
a meeting or social gathering
CONVERSATION WITH SCOTS
• The Scots are a soft spoken
and private people. They tend to welcome people only when they
are better acquainted.
• They are very proud of their
literary tradition, avoid derogatory remarks on any aspect of
their culture.
• Avoid grouping the Scots
with the English, Scots are very proud of their distinctive
heritage
Suggested topics
of conversation
• Weather
• Travel in Scotland
• Travel through out Europe
• Oudoor activities
Avoid topics
• Politics
• Northern Ireland
• Religion
SCOTTISH DRESSING
• Darker colours and heavier
fabrics tend to prevail
• For men, suits with starched
shirts and ties are best
• Business Women usually wear
skirt-suites. However, pant suits are also permissable
• Avoid wearing stripe ties
of any kind. This is because British "regimental"
neckties appear in a variety of striped patterns, each representing
a different institution, such as a public school or military
unit. Your wearing a tie that resembles a striped regimental
pattern could be perceived as a crass affectation
• Kilts are considered an
important part of Scot heritage
BUSINESS ATTITUDE
Business cards should be printed in English, the national language.
Ensure that you bring a plentiful supply, since Scottish businesspeople
are keen to exchange them.
The most senior
executives in the majority of Scottish companies are known as
“managing directors” (as distinct from CEO). They
are responsible for making final decisions.
One way of understanding
the “chain of command” is by observing the amount
of deference given to others during a meeting. While the managing
director will be instrumental in the final decision, carefully
watching how the participants treat each other can be very informative.
Although Scottish
women participate in the work force, relatively few are in managerial
positions. The most effective ways women business travellers
can assure Scotsmen of their competence are by maintaining a
professional demeanour, displaying a strong knowledge of their
field, and dressing conservatively.
Refer to things
that originate from Scotland as “Scottish.” Be aware
that “Scotch” is not the correct term to use and may
cause offence.
As with practically
any other meeting, it is an asset to bring presentation materials
accompanied by visuals such as charts and graphs.
During your presentation,
allow for a “question and answer” period.
If the meeting
becomes informal at times, it is still important to remain guarded
and professional.
Shortly after a meeting, it is a good policy to provide follow-up
by sending a summary of the results to your Scottish contacts.
BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT
• Lunch and dinner are usually
the preferred times for business entertainment.
•
Dinner parties frequently take place in homes, and spouses are
usually included on these types of occasions. You should arrive
on time, and bring flowers for the hostess. Wine and fine chocolates
are also good gifts to give
•
Business entertaining frequently occurs in restaurants as well.
A woman should extend a lunch--rather than a dinner-- invitation
to a businessman.
•
The lounge section of the pub in Scotland is often referred
to as the “saloon” and it is the area where women
tend to feel most comfortable. Although women often go to pubs
alone in England, they don’t do so as often in Scotland.
• Customarily, at a dinner party, the host and hostess
will be seated at opposite ends of the table, facing one another.
A male guest of honour will be seated to the right of the hostess,
whereas a female guest of honour will be placed to the right
of the host.
•
The traditional Scottish toast—and the one you are most
likely to hear during your stay--is “Shlante,” which
means “To your health.”
•
Whisky (spelled without an “e”) is Scotland’s
national drink. It is typically served straight or diluted with
water. As in many European countries, ice does not usually accompany
drinks.
•
The Scots use the “continental” style of dining, with
the fork kept in the left hand, tines down, and the knife in
the right hand at all times.
•
Be sure to keep your hands above the table at all times.
•
Food is typically served “family-style” in Scotland:
platters are passed around, allowing you to serve yourself various
kinds of food.
•
One way to indicate that you have had enough to eat--and that
the hospitality was more than adequate--is to leave a small
amount of food on your plate.
•
In a restaurant, the proper way to request the bill is to lift
your hand and pretend that you are writing on it.
•
A 10-15% gratuity is usually included in restaurant bills. But
if the tip is included in the bill, you may also leave some
change. If the gratuity is not included in the bill, a tip of
10-15% is in order.
•
Tip hotel porters about 25p for each bag handled. Chambermaids
should receive 1 pound for each day of your stay.
Taxi drivers should
be tipped 10-15 % of the fare.
Many of the foods
on this list are also ceremonially eaten on New Year’s
Eve (referred to as Hogmanay) and Robert Burns’s Night
(January 25). The Scottish cuisine
GESTURES
• When in Scotland make an
effort to speak in a low, moderate tone of voice. Talking too
loudly in public is sometimes considered offensive and embarrassing.
•
In conversation, the Scots tend to downplay hand gestures and
other physical expressions.
•
Keep your hands out of your pockets when standing and walking.
Scots tend to be a “low-contact” people. Rather than
touching or getting too close, it is more appropriate to remain
at least one arms’ length distance from your Scottish counterpart.
•
Scots are usually very respectful when standing in line. Some
people around you may even ask you questions, but you should
try to limit any “small talk" to the subject of your
immediate surroundings
GIFT-GIVING
When you are invited to a dinner party in a private home, you
may bring flowers for the hostess. Wine and fine chocolates
are also good gift selections on these occasions.
You do not have to present a business gift until the deal is
about to conclude. Wait for the propitious moment.
Appreciated
Business Gifts
• Desk accessories
• A paperweight with your
company logo
• A coffee table book about
your home country or city
• A bottle of good whisky
