Azerbaijan

Greetings

Man greeting Man - Men shake hands when greeting one another and maintain direct eye contact. Many give each other a kiss on the cheek accompanied by a light hug/grasp. A warm handshake is the way to go for a first meeting. Hugs are common between good friends and family.

Woman greeting Woman - A kiss on the cheek is common if two women know each other. A light handshake is the norm if they are meeting for the first time, especially with foreigners. Sometimes a simple nod of acknowledgment will do.

Man greeting Woman - At a first meeting it is best to allow the woman to offer her hand before trying to shake it. Light handshakes are the way to go.

Note: Always use and offer your right hand to shake if possible. It is taboo for religiously observant men to touch women and vice-versa.

Communication Style

• Azeris tend to be pretty direct and the command form is most typical in communication. This form may be off-putting to English speakers who are used to subjunctive or conditional verbs in speaking.
• Direct communication is appreciated, but saving face is valued as well. So it is best not to be too direct when it comes to personal opinions.

Personal Space & Touch

• Family members and friends will speak closely when first meeting each other – sometimes keeping a hand on and arm or the back.
  
• An arm’s length of space, or just a bit more, is a good distance to keep between acquaintances, colleagues and casual friends.
• There is a fair amount of teaching between members of the same sex. It is common to see men walking and arm with other men. This is viewed as a sign of friendship. Same goes for women with other women.
• There is little to no touching between men and women during conversations.
  

Eye Contact

• Eye contact is not that much different from what most westerners are generally used to.
  
• Direct eye contact tends to be the norm.
  

Gestures

• Azeris don’t generally point with one finger (as it can seem rude) but with whole hand.
  
• A hand held palm up and shaken back and forth asks a question (really any question).
• Take your shoes off before entering mosques and most peoples homes.
• If someone offers you tea, accept it. It’s proper to refuse a gift twice and accept on the third offering, and gifts/repayments/etc. should be offered three times.

Views of Time

• Time is not strictly kept. People will be late, but will give their time freely as well.
  
• Public transportation tends to leave when it leaves. Marshutkas (smaller passenger vans) will leave when they’re full. Buses that look like our charter buses tend to be more prompt (especially if leaving from Baku, the capital).
  
• Trains generally leave on time, but may be late arriving to a destination, especially when the electricity goes out (which it does).
• Socializing and personal relationships tend to take precedence over meeting deadlines and following set agendas.

Gender Roles

• Women may work outside the home, but are generally teachers or nurses. They will not go to restaurants or tea houses by themselves (except for in Baku, the capital).
  
• However, foreign women will go to restaurants, though not really tea houses.
• Azeri women will not drink alcohol, except possibly a bit of wine in a home on a special occasion. This is generally true for foreign women, as well – wine is okay, beer not really, vodka definitely not. This is not necessarily true in Baku and other major cities.
  
• Most married women are expected to stay home and take care of the house and children. Most single women live with their parents until they are married.
• Foreign women should be aware of being propositioned. “Can I get to know you?” (“Tanishmaq olar?”) is a phrase commonly used to pick up a prostitute.

Taboos

• Don’t put your thumb and pointer finger together to make a circle (like the American “ok” sign) as it is an obscene gesture.
• Avoid slapping the palm of your hand on your closed fist (the flat part, by the thumb and first finger) as it is obscene as well.
• Putting your thumb between your pointer and middle finger in a fist (like “Got your nose” or “T” in sign language) is considered obscene.
• Crossing your legs to show the sole of your foot is considered rude.

Law & Order

• There is no minimum drinking age. Even though is predominantly Muslim country, alcohol is readily available.
• Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in are severe and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
  

Dress

• Businesspeople tend to dress well, opting for more formal styles.
• For Men - Suits and ties. Darker colors are the way to go.
• For Women - Conservative yet stylish is a good choice. Long skirts (at least to just below knees) with a nice top. Foreign or younger women can often wear pants (but not always). Avoid wearing overly expensive accessories, dresses/skirts cut above the knee, and sleeveless attire to a first meeting.
  
• Business casual and more relaxed styles may be appropriate in some industries.
  

Titles & Business Cards

• It is common to address people by their first names followed by title (such as muellim/a for teachers, hemkim for doctor.) The title of muellim/a is often given for anyone with a degree.
• There is no formal protocol surround the giving and receiving of business cards but always give and receive with your right hand.

Meetings

• Arriving on time for meetings is important even though you may be kept waiting.
• Beginning with small talk helps establish a base for the relationship, after which discussion of business matters can begin. It is best to allow your host to begin the business discussion.
• Appropriate small talk topics include: family, sports, Azeri food and places of interest.
  
• Avoid talking and asking about politics, drugs, sex, and religion.
• Meetings can go on for longer than scheduled. Be patient and polite and go with the flow.
• If you are offered tea, accept it.

Negotiations

• Decisions tend to be reached from the top down and can take awhile. Be prepared to have several meetings to reach a final decision.
• It is best not to rush anything or appear impatient.
• Bargaining and haggling make take on a large role in negotiations.

Gift Giving

• It’s proper to refuse a gift twice and accept on the third offering, and gifts/repayments/etc. should be offered three times.
• Gifts are not usually brought to a first business meeting.
• If invited to an Azeri home, it is appropriate to bring fruit, pastries and/or flowers. Avoid bringing alcohol.
• It is best to wrap gifts nicely and do not expect for them to be opened right away.

In the Classroom

• The school year usually begins in early September 1 and ends in late May 25. There’s a week vacation for New Years, and attendance may be sporadic during Novruz, Spring holiday in March.
• The grading system in most schools is on a 1-5 scale as follow: 5 excellent; 4 good; 3 pass; 2 unsatisfactory; 1 totally unsatisfactory
• Teachers mostly lecture in class. Students take notes on what the professor says and then usually regurgitate these notes for the exam.
  

Other Observations

• It’s proper to refuse a gift twice and accept on the third offering, and gifts/repayments/etc. should be offered three times.