Romanian Culture and Traditions
What will you learn
after reading this article?
You
will get knowledge and gain an understanding of a number of key areas
including:
·
Languages spoken in Romania
·
Religion and beliefs of Romania
·
Romania’s Culture & society
·
Social etiquette and customs in Romania
·
Business protocol and work culture in Romania
Facts and Statistics
Location: it
is located in Southeastern Europe, bordering Hungry 443 km, Bulgaria 608 km, Moldova
450 km, Montenegro and Serbia 476 km, Ukraine (east) 169 km, Ukraine (north)
362 km.
Capital: Capital
of Romania is Bucharest
Population:
according to (2019 estimated) 19+ million.
Ethnic Make-up: Romanian 89.5 percent, Hungarian 6.6 percent, Roma 2.5
percent, Ukrainian 0.3 percent, German 0.3 percent, Russian 0.2 percent,
Turkish 0.2 percent, other 0.4 percent
Religions: Eastern
Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 87 percent, Protestant 6.8 percent,
Catholic 5.6 percent, other (mostly Muslim) 0.4 percent, unaffiliated 0.2
percent.
The Romanian Language
Languages spoken in
Romania
Official language of
Romania
Romanian is the official language is Romania,
and it is spoken by approximately 89 percent of the 23m population of Romania.
Hungarian language is spoken by around 7 percent of the population of Romania,
mainly in Transylvania. There is also a population of German langauge speakers
within country who make up around 1.5% of the national population.
Romanian Culture and
Society
Hierarchy
·
Romania
is a hierarchical society where age and position factors are highly respected.
·
As
the Older people have earned life experience that’s why they are viewed as wise
persons.
·
By
age and position Romanians expect the most senior person, to make decisions
that are beneficial and that are in the best interest of the group.
·
Titles
denote respect and titles are very important.
·
Until
use their first names it is expected that you will use a person's title and
their surname until invited to use their first name.
The Family
·
The
family forms the basis of stability for most people and it is the foundation of
the social structure.
·
The
individual derives assistance and a social network in times of need from their
family.
·
Families
are patriarchal. The father is considered as the head of the whole family.
Privacy
·
Romanians
are very formal and reserved with a strong need for their privacy.
·
Most
of Romanians do not trust strangers readily.
·
They
are generally quiet and shy when you first meet and admire modesty and humility
in themselves and others.
·
Romanians
will open up slightly ,Once you develop a personal relationship
·
Although
Romanians are always polite, they seldom move to a first-name basis with people
outside their extended family or very close friends.
Romanian Etiquette and
Customs
Meeting and Greetings
·
Initial
greetings are very formal and reserved: direct eye contact, a handshake, and
the appropriate greetings for the time of day.
·
Some
of the older Romanian citizens kiss a woman's hand when meeting them. And a
Foreign man is not expected to kiss a Romanian woman's hand.
·
Close
friends may hug and kiss each other when they meet.
·
When
kissing to each other, expect to kiss twice on both cheeks, once on each cheek
starting with the left cheek and then right cheek.
·
When
your relationship has reached this level of intimacy. Allow your Romanian
friends to determine and keep relationship with them for long time.
Titles
·
Within
country of Romania people are addressed by their honorific title
("Domnul" for Mr. and "Doamna" for Mrs.) and for their
surnames.
·
Friends
may address each other using the first name and honorific title.
·
Only
family members and close friends use the first name without appending the
honorific title.
Gift Giving Etiquette
·
If
you are invited to a Romanian's home for dinner and lunch, bring chocolates,
flowers, or imported liquor to the hosts.
·
Even
numbers are used for funerals that’s why give and odd number of flowers.
·
Carnations
and Roses are always well received.
·
A
gift that is given for the children is always appreciated.
·
Gifts
are generally opened on the spot when received.
Dining Etiquette
·
If
invited to dinner arrive on time.
·
Up
to 15 minutes late you may arrive for a party.
·
You
might wear dress in clothes to the office.
·
Check
to see and be aware if there are shoes at the front door. If so, remove yours.
·
Expect
to be treated with respect and great honour.
·
Table
manners follow established protocols of good behavior and good manners.
·
There
may be a seating plan that’s why wait to be told where to sit.
·
Table
manners are Continental -- hold the knife in the right hand and the fork in the
left hand while eating.
·
After
eating leave your napkin on the table. And don’t put it in your lap.
·
Before
you begin eating wait for the host or hostess to say "pofta buna"
(good appetite).
·
When
eating always keep your hands visible. On the edge of the table keep your
wrists resting.
·
Expect
to be offered the second and even the third helpings.
·
You
will have to insist that you cannot eat any more and stop eating, as refusals
are seen as good manners and are not taken by the invited persons seriously.
·
It
is acceptable to soak up extra sauce or gravy on your plate with your bread.
·
Cross
hour knife and fork on your table to indicate you have not finished eating.
·
When
you have finished eating and want to eat anymore, place your fork and knife
across your plate with the prongs facing down and the handles facing to the
right.
Business Protocol and
Etiquette
·
The
country of Romania is still governed by a great deal of bureaucracy.
·
If
you want to cut through the red tape personal relationships are crucial.
·
Much
business in Romania involves overlapping local bureaucracies, which make
conducting business a time consuming process that requires perseverance.
Building Relationships
·
Romanians
prefer to do business with those people who are down-to-earth and do not brag
about their financial achievements or accomplishments.
·
In
all situations they pride themselves on using proper etiquette and expect
others to do the same.
·
When
they feel any doubt, start out in a more formal style and allow your business
colleagues to progress the relationship to a more personal level.
·
You
will be treated with utmost formality if you are not from their family or not a
close friend of them.
·
Once
your Romanian colleagues get to know you properly, they will think of you as an
insider (as their family member or close friend), which lets them treat you
more informally.
·
This
is not a process that can be rushed it works slowly and with the passage of
time they get to know you.
·
It
is with you personally once a relationship has been developed not necessarily
to the company you represent. Therefore, if you leave the company and resign to
the job, your replacement will need to build their own relationship. If at all
possible in this situation, introduce your replacement to those with whom you
do business.
Business Meeting
Etiquette
·
Appointments
are very necessary and should be scheduled 2 to 3 weeks in advance for meetings,
preferably by letter.
·
In
July and August it is often difficult to schedule meetings, which is a common
vacation time within country and enjoy time with families.
·
During
the two weeks before and after Christmas and the week before and after Easter
Businesspeople are often unavailable.
·
Arrive
on exact time and be prepared to wait.
·
In
entrepreneurial companies Punctuality is common or those that frequently do
business in the international arena.
·
You
will most likely be kept waiting, when dealing with state-run companies.
·
Meetings
follow old-world rules of courtesy and meetings are generally formal.
·
Wait
to be told where to sit there may be seating plan or there is often a strict
protocol to be followed.
·
Until
the most senior ranking Romanian does don’t remove your suit jacket or don’t remove
without permission.
·
Expect
to spend time getting to know people properly before delving into the business
purpose of your visit.
·
Presentations
should be easy to understand and should be factual.
·
To
back up your conclusions include facts and figures.
·
Avoid
hyperbole or making exaggerated claims.
Negotiating
·
Business
is hierarchical that’s why decision-making power is held at the top of the
company.
·
Most
of the decisions require several layers of approval. At times it may appear
that no one wants to accept responsibility for making the decisions that’s why
there may be long time taken to make decisions.
·
To
accomplish a simple task it may take several visits.
·
Romanian
people can be tough negotiators.
·
Romanian
people are concerned about being taken advantage of by foreigners.
·
For
meeting and negotiations hire your own interpreters.
·
Base
sales on confirmed, irrevocable letters of credit. Use local banks that are
correspondents of the western banks.
·
Romanian
people have a tendency to tell others what they think they want to hear.
·
Avoid
high pressure sales tactics or confrontational behaviour.
·
Decisions
are easily reversed.
·
An
indirect negotiating style is used. And being too direct is viewed as poor
manners.
·
Contracts
function as statements of intent. It is expected that if circumstances and
situations change, the contract will accommodate the revised conditions that is
made with free will by both parties.
·
Do
not change the members of a negotiating team before a decision is reached or
the relationship-building process will have to begin anew.
Business Card Etiquette
·
Without
formal ritual business cards are exchanged.
·
Include
the founding date on your business card if your company has been in business
for more than 50 years. Romanians are impressed by stability.
·
Have
one side of your business card translated into Romanian.
·
Any
advanced university degrees include on your card.
Post a Comment