Armenia

Greetings

Men greeting Men – In Armenia, the most common greetings between men are handshakes followed by a kiss on the cheek if the two parties have a close relationship. For new introductions, just a handshake will usually suffice.

Women greeting Women - In Armenia, women usually greet each other with hugs and a kiss on the cheek. Even if it is a first time meeting someone, most traditional Armenian women will kiss you on the cheek.

Men and Women – Traditionally, and in the rural areas, a women needs to wait for the man to present his hand for the handshake. Between good friends a family a kiss on the cheek and a light hug are common.

Communication Style

• In Armenia, people tend to be very direct and say exactly what they want to say. There is usually no holding back on what one needs to say. A visitor must not take this to heart, as it is a special part of the Armenian culture. There are no "going around the concepts"; the communication is direct.

Personal Space & Touch

• People tend to speak to one another at a very close distance compared to what a Westerner may be used to. When interacting with business colleagues an arm’s length of space is acceptable, but when speaking to the family members, friends or people of the opposite sex it is less than the arm’s length.

• The better one knows another, the more touching is involved. Typically, males and females show no affection through touching, no matter what the relationship may be (sister, wife, etc). However, it is important to note that in the more populated regions of Yerevan, Vanadzor, and Gyumri, the "westernized" style of communication and physical touching is more prevalent, but still not that common.

• While talking, no matter the conversation, touching is not done unless someone knows the other party well. The regional areas are more intimate in their conversations than the metro-areas.

• Don't be surprised if someone "pets" you during a conversation. It usually is a sign that one is adored.

Eye Contact

• Direct eye contact is preferred; however there tend to be no strict rules when speaking with Armenians.

Gestures

• One can beckon someone with the raise of the hand, stop the transport with a side wave (like shooing away a cat).

Views of Time

• For the most part, things start within a 15-20 after the designated time. However, if one is attending an Armenian event, "just five more minutes", may end up being hours.
• Transportation tends to follow a stricter schedule, but if the buses and mini vans (marshutnies) fill up sooner than the departure time, they will leave. It is always better to error on the side of caution and get to the station on the early side. However, don't be shocked if the transport is late.

Gender Roles

• Women typically work in homes and do all work associated with the home. After marriage, a woman is expected to bear children and retire from sport activities. This is typically in the rural regions. In Yerevan (the capital), you would very seldom come across anything like this.
• In the metro areas, the role of the woman is increasing in independence. Again it is important to note that may be a small country in size, but there is significant difference in views and attitudes from the rural regions to the cities. It is almost as if there are two different countries.
• For foreign women, smoking, sport activities, wearing short shorts, tight clothes, etc., is not typically seen as a "good woman" in the rural areas. In the metro areas, these things are commonly performed as the area tends to be more liberal.

Taboos

• Making a fist and placing the thumb between the index and middle finger is an obscene gesture.

• Drunkenness and prostitution, though found in Armenia, are typically looked down upon.

Law & Order

• The legal drinking and smoking age is generally considered to be 18, but it is not so strongly enforced. If young children drink and smoke, there parents and relatives will find out rather quickly as the Armenian culture has strong and deep family ties.
• Possession of illegal drugs will result imprisonment and is heavily enforced. Armenian is starting to become stricter with its laws (seat belt, speeding, etc)., but it's still developing and fighting corruption within the government to enforce these laws.
• It's best to be careful when crossing the street as Armenian drivers frequently break laws when driving, and Armenian pedestrians are used to it.

Dress

• For Men - Regular business attire, suit, jacket, trousers, etc.
• For Women - Elegant business suits, or skirts up to the knee. Bright colors are usually not appropriate. Armenian women value being well-dressed. They are hardly ever underdressed for an occasion.
• Jeans and more casual attire is generally not acceptable for conducting business.

Titles & Business Cards

• It is common to address people by their first names followed by title such as Parin for Mr., Bjishk for doctor, Tikin for Mrs., and Oriord for Ms./Miss.

• There is no specific protocol for the exchanging of business cards in Armenia.

Meetings

• One should show up on time and engage through listening and speaking. Small talk is expected, but for the most part allow for your the Armenian counterpart to start and end it.
• Business is business, but Armenians tend to be very friendly and communicative so it is best hat you create a friendly atmosphere during your business meeting, make proper jokes and so on.

Negotiations

• Bargaining is acceptable depending on the situation but not desirable.
• It's best to not show overly strong emotions during negotiations and expect the decisions to not be made right away.

Gift Giving

• Gifts are expected. Personal gifts are inappropriate. Souvenirs for office are the safest ones to give.
• When receiving a gift you generally wouldn’t open it in public. It is desirable that gifts be wrapped but not obligatory.

In the Classroom

• The school year begins at the beginning of September and ends at the end of December. The second term starts at the beginning of February and ends at the beginning of June. Winter holidays last a month and summer holidays last 2 months and a half.

• Casual dress is expected for both women and men at the university level. Some students may come into class in a sweat suit, and nice shoes. This is typically not looked down upon. Raggedy, dirty and unclean clothes tend to be socially prohibited outside of the home.

• The Armenian educational system is going through a trial period in which it will eventually switch over to a western system of grading (within the next 5 years). Some universities grade on a 1-10 system, the failing grade of which is 3, some others grade on the 100% system, the failing grade of which is 30% and less, and some other higher educational establishments grade on A-F system. Most institutions grades on the following scale: 5-Excellent 4-Satisfactory 3-Average 2-Below Average. The "failing" concept is not really enforced. However, grades 3 and below are looked into at a deeper level. There also can be a plus (+) or minus (-) that can be added to the grade to increase or decrease the number value.

• Interactive communicative teaching approaches such as experiential, group/pair work, etc, have been introduced in Armenia, but are just now becoming a highlight in the classroom. Typically, the classroom teaching environment is still very Soviet based, with the teacher as the leader, lecturing, and the students as pupils, listening. There is two-way communication, but the teachers are typically known as specialists.

Other Observations

• In the rural areas, don't be surprised or frightened if a local invites you in for tea or coffee. The Armenian culture loves to serve its hospitality to anyone and they truly enjoy doing so. Even if there is a language barrier, the Armenians love to chat and spread their hospitality.