Putting Things in Practice
- Give Hungarian people a good chance to get to know you. Do not rush the
relationship. Establishing and building rapport and trust are not singled out as
they are in the US but they are small parts of a bigger process.
- Rushing things at all costs and neglecting the human side of a deal or project
won't get you far in Hungary. The business drives the relationship in the US. Do
not forget it is usually the opposite in Hungary: "I may not do business with you if I
don't like you or don't know enough about you." Hungarian people are generally
suspicious of "unknown" people. “Falling in the house with the front door” (a
Hungarian expression: ajtóstul rontani a házba) is a style Hungarians do not
appreciate.
- Be patient and learn to appreciate the small wonders that Hungarian life has to
offer. Quality of time as a whole, and not especially quality of work time, is of great
importance. Doing something you enjoy is a Hungarian way of living.
- Avoid the aggressive, hard sell approach. Hungarians will not be impressed when
you seem to carry the attitude that your know-how is just what they need to get
them out of the mess they are in. They might not agree that they are in a mess at
all! The typical American self-confidence, "sell yourself" approach strikes the
Hungarian as arrogant and abrasive.
- Avoid touching people in the workplace: don't put your hand on someone's arm or
shoulder, do not use much friendly backslapping or shoulder-punching.
- Try to read between the line, ask back when you're not sure what your counterpart
means, and say what you mean. Be straight and to the point. Be honest when you
don't like something.
- Do not act over-enthusiastic; don't use too many "hollow" superlatives like great,
wonderful, terrific. They are not popular in Hungary and sound insincere.
- Do not give a "too positive or rosy" image that Hungarian people might consider
arrogance, ignorance or hypocrisy. "What is true is true" (ami igaz, az igaz) in
Hungary, (or "a spade is a spade") and the Hungarian do not sugarcoat or mince
words.
- Finally, acknowledge the primary purpose of a Hungarian business meal: to get to
know each other and enjoy a good conversation. A three-hour lunch or dinner is
the Hungarian equivalent of a one-day ropes adventure team building program,
even if you do not discuss business at all. Be deeply convinced of this.
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| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HUNGARIAN BUSINESS CULTURE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
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Hungarian
Culture, Language & Relocation Resources
Culture, Language & Relocation Resources
Final Advice on
Hungarian Business
Culture
Hungarian Business
Culture
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| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HUNGARIAN CULTURE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
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| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - RELOCATION TO HUNGARY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |