Foreign Staffing, Inc.

Proper Turkish business etiquette isessential to gain new partners andclients in the Turkish businesscommunity.

Because global expansion is derigueur today, when you areconfident in practicing the properprocedures involved in Turkishbusiness etiquette you will achievethe business success desired.

Your Turkish colleagues want toensure that you have a strongappreciation for respect andloyalty.

When you are aware of Turkishvalues and share in Turkishetiquette, you will easily impressyour Turkish colleagues andthereby enhance your entry intothe Turkish market.

Turkey is an ancient and regal country.As such, earned titles are valued.

When addressing your Turkishcolleagues, show respect for their statusand use these titles, if appropriate,without needing to include thesurname.

This includes not only professors ordoctors but also lawyers, engineers andmanagers.

When greeting a Turkish colleague,greet him or her by first name, and thenadd “bey” (pronounced like “bay”) formen and “hanim” (pronounced “ha-num”) for women.

Be prepared for a slow decision

making process.

You will meet with lower ranking

members of a company first, to prove

that you are a trustworthy potential

colleague.

Then you will meet the more senior

members of the company.

The most senior member of a

company will always be the only one

who makes the decisions.

Always use both hands whenexchanging business cards.

Print one side in Turkish and one inEnglish.

Show your Turkish colleagues howmuch you value them bypresenting all of your businessmaterials translated and printed inTurkish and English.

Go that extra mile by getting aTurkish translation of all pertinentdocuments.

Always be punctual and if you areunavoidably delayed, promptly notifyyour Turkish colleagues.

Avoid scheduling meetings in July andAugust, which are the most valuedvacation months.

Avoid scheduling meetings duringRamazan (known in other Muslimcountries at Ramadan).

This is a religious month of fasting. Alsoavoid scheduling meetings from Junethrough August as many Turks areaway on vacation to spend more timewith families.

Building relationships is vital to anysuccessful endeavor.

Turks like to do business with peoplethey know.

Relationships are often best solidifiedover meals.

Expect small talk at the beginning ofany meeting as it gives your Turkishcolleagues a chance to get to knowyou.

Often a first meeting will be spentsimply allowing you and your Turkishcolleagues to get to know oneanother.

Much of Turkey is Muslim and Islamdictates five prayer times each day.

It is important that you are aware ofthese prayer times to best scheduleyour meetings around them.

If you go out to a restaurant with aTurkish colleague remember that thehost always pays the bill.

Turks will not split bills.

You will be refused if you offer to pay.To return the gesture, offer to host yourTurkish colleague at another time.

Dress conservatively always.

Men and women should wear suits.

In the summer, you can avoid wearing a

jacket and tie as the weather tends to be far

too hot and humid.

Outside of large cities and especially in

Eastern Turkey, be sure to dress even more

conservatively.

Women should cover their arms and legs

and men should wear long pants.