Cyprus

Greetings

Men greeting Men – During initial meetings, men shake hands when greeting one another and maintain direct eye contact. A relatively firm handshake is the way to go. Hugs and light pats on the back and shoulder are common between good friends and family. Some men may engage in a kiss on each cheek depending on how well they know each other.

Woman greeting Woman - A kiss on each cheek is common if two women know each other well. A light handshake is the norm if they are meeting for the first time.

Man greeting Woman - At a first meeting a warm handshake will suffice and is sometimes combined with slight touches on the arms and/or elbows. Friends and family usually share a kiss on each cheek. Note: It is taboo for religiously observant men to touch women and vice-versa.

Communication Style

• Cypriots tend to be direct in their communication style, but very respectful.

• When paying a bill if you know the owner of a shop somewhat, it's important to sit down with a cup of coffee and talk about the family (and extended family) first.

Personal Space & Touch

• Personal space is important and people normally don't invade each other's personal space. A little less than an arm’s length tends to be the norm. This distance becomes greater when interacting with strangers and less when interacting with friends and family
• Business conversations are usually conducted without crossing the personal space boundaries.
• It is best to limit touching during conversation unless you're among close friends.

Eye Contact

• Direct eye contact tends to be expected, irrespective of who you are talking to.

Views of Time

• Time is generally viewed in a relaxed sense. It is very common to be late in social situations without giving an explanation for it, or in some cases not showing up at all.
• Business situations generally call for punctuality.
• Being late tends to be the norm. It's rare for anything to start on time, and people talk about ' time' meaning at least twenty minutes after the actual time scheduled.
• Buses tend to run approximately on time, but there are very few. People tend to give freely of their time.

Gender Roles

• is still somewhat patriarchal, so women are expected to do most of the housework and all the cooking and child-care as well as hold down jobs. Attitudes are slowly changing, however, with more equality for younger Cypriots
• When retired, many men go to coffee shops and play backgammon, while women continue cooking and cleaning.
• Ex-pat women are not usually held to the same standard as Cypriot women.

Taboos

• The "moutza", consists of extending all five fingers, palm out, towards a person in a forward motion. The closer the hand is to the other person's face the more offensive it's considered. Similar to the American "talk to hand" gesture.

Law & Order

• The legal drinking age is 18, and it is usually enforced. The smoking age is 18 as well, but not heavily enforced.

• Penalties for possession, acquisition, and trafficking of drugs are severe and include fines and mandatory lengthy imprisonment in local jails.

• Breaking traffic rules can result in losing your license.

• Children are allowed to drink with their families from a fairly young age, and lots of people smoke from about age 15.

Dress

• For Men: Dark or medium colored suits with shirts and ties. Business casual attire is common in most situations as well.
• For Women: stylish yet classic business suits or dresses and blouses. Accessories are usually worn. Business casual attire is common in most situations as well.
• Jeans and less casual attire is usually not appropriate.

Titles & Business Cards

• Titles are important and it is best to address people directly by using their professional title or Mr., Mrs., or Miss, followed by the surname.
• You should always wait to be invited to use first names before doing so yourself.
• There is no specific ritual surrounding the giving of business cards although it is advisable to treat the card with respect.

Meetings

• Arriving on time for a meeting is important even though you may have to wait.
• There is usually some amount of small talk before getting down to business.
• It is best to allow your host to begin and end the business discussion.
• It is considered acceptable to interrupt someone who is speaking.
• Building and establishing the personal relationship tends to be the focus of initial meetings.
• Agendas are made but do not tend to be followed closely.

Negotiations

• Cypriots often show emotion during the negotiation process, but you will most likely earn more respect if you remain calm.
• Bargaining tends to play a large role in negotiating.

Gift Giving

• Gifts are good. Doesn't matter whether they're wrapped or not.
• Gifts are not usually expected in business situation, but most often they're welcome.
• Chocolates, good quality diaries/pens, or a simple souvenir from your country are some good gift options.

In the Classroom

• The school year at most institutions begin in early September and ends in mid-June. There are usually three terms, much like school terms, with a two-week break over Christmas and New Year, and another two-week break over Greek Easter. Then there are several other public holidays during the year, when schools are closed.
• Dress at most schools in casual and common attire tends to be jeans and tee-shirts, but students come from so many different countries that there are many styles of dress around.
• Lectures and discussions are the most common form of teaching at most universities.

Other Observations

• Try socializing with the locals as much as possible, it is not easily done however.

• Try to pick up some basic Greek – it always helps.

• Don't assume you can work, unless you're European. Even more importantly, the degree is not considered worth very much anywhere other than. Many students have come here expecting a 'European' style of degree, and found the courses are worthless. The government is slowly trying to improve the standards, and close down the institutions that teach nothing at all, but it's a slow process.

• Be prepared for lengthy communications, and countless dinners.
• People tend not to share bills at restaurants– someone usually pays for everyone.