North Macedonia

Greetings

Men greeting Men – A firm handshake while looking each other in the eye for formal greetings. A light hug is acceptable for men who know each other well.

Women greeting Women – One or two kisses, one on each cheek for less formal instances. For more formal instances and initial introductions, a handshake is common. Traditional & some formal situations call for three kisses on alternating cheeks. Same goes for good friends and family.

Greetings between Men & Women – Three kisses on alternating cheeks for good friends and family. For less formal situation and initial introductions, handshakes are appropriate. One or two kisses, one on each cheek for less formal instances is common as well.

Note: In Muslim areas, touching between men and women may be kept to a minimum. When in doubt follow the local's lead.

Communication Style

• People usually speak in a more indirect way when talking about serious matters or when trying to be polite, and they tend to be direct about less serious matters. For instance, there is nothing wrong with asking how much money you make or in telling someone that they’ve put on weight. However, when it comes to asking for a favor, they tend to be a little less direct.

• People are very kind and also very curious of other cultures. Do not be surprised if they ask you questions that seem inappropriate, such as how much money you make, what your house is like, etc. They are honestly just curious about how other people live.

• The communication style of most Macedonians is defined by the background of the person (religious, ethnic, social, educational, etc). In general, most people are polite but direct; if they consider something very important they won’t hesitate to speak up and argue about it and vice-versa. Even though they are good listeners they tend to speak more. Most of the time they speak fast and loud, using gestures and nonverbal communication.

Personal Space & Touch

• People tend to speak rather close to each other, but not uncomfortably close. A little less than an arm’s length is common.

• Some touching during conversation is okay in close circles, but strangers do not usually touch each other. Close girlfriends will hold hands or walk arm in arm while talking together, but men do not.

• While communicating with members of opposite sex, the ethnicity and religion is an issue. While people from opposite genders keep an appropriate distance, when they come from different ethnic or religious background this distance increases. When they come from similar backgrounds, the distance is not that great.

• Touching is not widely accepted among Macedonians and most often it is perceived as violation of the personal space. Again, teenagers and close relatives and friends are the only groups that are to be omitted from these rules.

• During conversations among friends and family it is acceptable to touch the arms or hands and to get a pat on the back.

Eye Contact

• Eye contact is completely appropriate when conversing in both social situations and more formal business situations.
• Direct eye contact is especially important when shaking hands.

Gestures

• People often wave one finger in a back and forth action while saying “No”. Also, instead of saying “No,” Macedonians will sometimes click their tongue and shake their head very slightly.
• In Eastern Macedonia, closer to Bulgaria, shaking the head can mean “yes” and nodding the head can mean “no,” as it is common in Bulgaria.
• Older women will raise their hand and point their fingers down and motion to come, as opposed to keeping your palm up and moving your fingers.
• Most people point to something with one finger, or make a gesture with their head and eyes towards the direction of the object.
• Most people beckon with whole hand.

Views of Time

• Time is viewed in a loose sense. There are many words for “immediately” and “now”, but even that usually means “within the next 20 minutes”.
• Buses are rarely on time, and it is important to remember that they will eventually come; they'll just be late.
• It is usually never rude to be late in social situations. When you make plans to be somewhere at 5:00, if you show up at 6:00, you may still be the first person there.
• Punctuality is not very valued, and everyone is much more laid back when it comes to schedules and staying “on time”.
• Time is a little more valued in business situations, but not by much.
• When you go somewhere for dinner or lunch, be sure to plan to be there for at least 2 hours, as meals often last a very long time due to socializing.
• Like most of the Balkan and Mediterranean nations, Macedonians have a very relaxed perspective on time. They do not expect someone to be on time: rather, 15-20 minutes is tolerated when arriving to meetings. Recently, this is being changed by the impact of other European business.
• Business situations require more punctuality in general.

Gender Roles

• Macedonian women play large roles in society- they are teachers, judges, attorneys, accountants and doctors. However, they are also expected to juggle a full time work schedule with keeping up the house, taking care of the children, making meals, etc.
• While husbands are expected to just work, women are expected to work as well as keep up the house.
• Foreign women are not as expected to do this as much the locals, but there still tends to be a cultural bias towards that lifestyle.

Taboos

• It is rude to not accept gifts or food from others. When a guest at someone else's house, they will continue to give you food and drink far past when you think you've had enough. It is very rude to refuse this hospitality, as Macedonians are very proud of their stellar hospitality.
• Laughing and speaking loudly is considered rude, as well as cursing. French kissing in public is considered to be impolite. However, a small kiss is to be seen as sweet and polite.
• Making noises while eating, belching, hiccup and picking your teeth/nose in public is usually considered rude.

Law & Order

• The legal drinking and smoking age is 18 and it is rarely enforced.
• Tobacco is a large domestic industry and they encourage the purchase of cigarettes to help stimulate the economy.

• Most laws seem to be only loosely enforced, as everyone seems to follow a basic order and the police don't seem to worry about it too much.

• The anti-corruption laws are strongly enforced.

• Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

Dress

• For Men - Dress shirt and slacks. Suit and tie may be appropriate in certain situations and industries.
• For Women - Slacks and blouse or skirt and blouse.
• Avoid shorts, jeans, and less casual attire in business situations.

Titles & Business Cards

• “Sir” or “Madam” are most common titles used when meeting people in a business setting. Mr./Mrs. is common as well.

• People are very eager to give out their business cards. Having a business card is a point of pride and shows that you are in a good, stable job. It is appropriate to give out business cards as much as you like, and there is no right or wrong way to present the card.

Meetings

• Showing up around when the meeting starts is appropriate. You may find yourself waiting a while for Macedonians to arrive.
• Greetings usually goes according to status – greeting people from higher to lower status. If there are women, they are the first to be greeted.
• Small talk is acceptable and usually expected.
• The person with highest status starts and ends the conversation. Direct questions are acceptable, but once the meeting is finished, there should not be any additional questions.

Negotiations

• Bargaining is accepted, but not always necessary. In basic markets for food, bargaining is fine.
• There is always room for negotiation, and bargaining is normal. Some emotions can be expressed.
• Decisions are expected to be brought in a time range of 3-5 days maximum (in some more complicated cases, a week or two is acceptable).

Gift Giving

• In business situations, it is good to offer to pay for whatever is being served. You will probably not be able to, but the offer is important.
• In general business situations, gifts can be given and received, but only those whose price is no greater than 100 euros. Any present given above this value is seen as a clear attempt for bribe and/or corruption.
• Many people in social situations will bring something homemade and special, such as wine or jams, when visiting, but not always. It is important that the gift is homemade.
• As for birthdays and weddings, most people just give money rather than gifts.
• It is rude to not accept gifts or food from others. When a guest at someone else's house, they will continue to give you food and drink far past when you think you've had enough. It is very rude to refuse this hospitality, as Macedonians are very proud of their stellar hospitality.
• When you go to someone’s home, remember that the guest is the most important person in the house, so don’t bother to help to clean up or to wash the dishes. It might be seen as an offense if you try to look for something yourself (like open the fridge or the cupboards). Ask for anything you need.

In the Classroom

• The university school year varies from school to school, but most begin in the beginning of September and ends some time in June. There are two main vacations, summer (July - September) and winter (January). There is also an Easter/Spring break (usually the week after the Orthodox Easter).
• University students are generally very casual. You will see them wearing jeans, t-shirts, or whatever else is generally in style. Women are allowed to wear short skirts, tight tops and high heels as well as make-up. There is no written dress code. However wearing these kind of clothes at university might be socially unacceptable.
• University level grades are given on a 5 –10 basis with 10 being the highest and 5/6 being failing. Only final exams are counted for the grade, and you must get a high grade in order to have done well.
• Teaching is usually in the form of lecture. However group work, projects and discussions are being used more and more in the teaching process.

• Many students enroll in classes that they never attend because they get the lecture notes some other way. The final exam is by far the most important part of the class.

Other Observations

• Macedonians are proud of their heritage, a mixture of Ancient Macedonian and Slavic ancestors, so foreigners should be careful not to mention something that will insult them. Also, the Orthodox Christians (majority religious group) uses Julian calendar, meaning that Christmas is celebrated on 7th of January, while Easter is almost always two-three weeks later then the Gregorian.
• Macedonian people are usually very gentle and hospitable. Most of the young people speak some English.
• When you go to someone’s home, remember that the guest is the most important person in the house, so don’t bother to help to clean up or to wash the dishes. It might be seen as an offense if you try to look for something yourself (like open the fridge or the cupboards). Ask for anything you need.