Hungary - Culture, Etiquette and Business Practices

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What will you Learn?

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You will gain an understanding of a number of key areas including:

• Language
• Religion and beliefs
• Culture and society
• Social etiquette and customs
• Business culture and etiquette

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The Hungarian Parliament in Budapest. Photo by Mark Maraz on Unsplash

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Facts and Statistics

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Location: Central Europe, bordering Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Serbia and Montenegro 151 km, Slovakia 677 km, Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km

Capital: Budapest

Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers

Population: 9.9 million (2019 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Hungarian 89.9%, Roma 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%, Slovak 0.8%, Romanian 0.7%

Religions: Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist and other 7.5%

Government: parliamentary democracy

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The Hungarian Language

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• The official language of Hungarian is spoken by 98% of the 10.3m population.
• Minority languages have become more prominent in recent years, and they include German, Croatian, Romani, Slovak, Romanian, Serbian and Slovene.
• Attempts are being made to protect these languages, as many members of the ethnic groups actually do not speak them.

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During the summer, horse shows and demonstrations are common across Hungary. Photo taken in Ungarn by Palle Knudsen on Unsplash

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Hungarian Society & Culture

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Nation of Horsemen

• The Ancient Hungarians lived in the Euro-Asian nomadic pastoral region, where the keeping and use of horses played an important role in their lives.
• Therefore it is not surprising that the horse and horse riding has a central place in Hungarian History, leading to Hungarians being regarded as the nation of horsemen.
• Invitations to foreigners for horseback riding are not uncommon.

 

Family in Hungary

• The family is the centre of the social structure.
• Generations of extended family often live together.
• The grandparents play an important role in helping raise the grandchildren.
• The family provides both emotional and financial support to its members.

 

Get Personal

• Hungarians expect friends to share private and intimate details of their personal lives.
• If you ever feel you are being asked personal questions, this is simply meant as part of the getting-to-know-you process.
• Hungarians will even enjoy sharing details of their romantic life with you!

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Etiquette & Manners in Hungary

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Meeting Etiquette

• Both men and women greet by shaking hands, although a man should usually wait for the women to extend her hand.
• The older generation may still bow to woman.
• Close friends kiss one another lightly on both cheeks, starting with the left cheek.
• In the business context is safest to address people by their titles and surnames.

 

Gift Giving Etiquette

• When visiting a company it is not necessary to bring gifts.
• If invited to a Hungarian's home for a meal, bring a box of good chocolates, flowers or Western liquor.
• Do not bring wine as the Hungarians are proud of the wines they produce.
• Flowers should be given in odd numbers, but not 13, which is considered an unlucky number.
• Do not give lilies, chrysanthemums or red roses.
• Gifts are usually opened when received.

 

Dining Etiquette

• If in the rare case you invited to a Hungarian's house:
• Arrive on time if invited for dinner, although a 5-minute grace period is granted.
• If invited to a party or other large gathering, arrive no more than 30 minutes later than invited.
• You may be asked to remove your outdoor shoes before entering the house.
• Do not ask for a tour of the house.
• Table manners are formal in Hungary.
• Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
• The hostess will wish the guests a hearty appetite at the start of each course.
• Do not begin eating until the hostess starts.
• Do not rest your elbows on the table, although your hands should be visible at all times.
• Hospitality is measured by the amount and variety of food served. Try everything.
• If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork across your plate.
• Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate.
• The guest of honour usually proposes the first toast which generally salutes the health of the individuals present.
• At the end of the meal, someone toasts the hosts in appreciation of their hospitality.
• An empty glass is immediately refilled so if you do not want more to drink, leave your glass ½ full.
• Never clink glasses if drinking beer.

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Ghoulash - the quintessential Hungarian dish. Photo by Duncan Stephen (CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Business Culture and Etiquette in Hungary

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Relationships & Communication

 

• Although Hungarians are transactional and do not require long-standing personal relationships in order to conduct business, being introduced by someone they know and trust can often help
• Hungarians pride themselves on using proper etiquette in all situations and expect others to do the same.
• Socializing is an important part of the relationship building process.
• Expect many invitations to dinner or cultural events. If you have the time, reciprocate invitations.
• Hungarians prefer face-to-face meetings rather than more impersonal vehicles of communication such as letters.
• Hungarians are emotive speakers who say what they think and expect you to do the same.
• They do not like euphemisms or vague statements.
• Hungarians often use stories, anecdotes, and jokes to prove their points.
• Hungarians are suspicious of people who are reticent and not willing to share their innermost thoughts.
• Hungarians view eye contact as indicative of sincerity and believe that people who cannot look them in the eye while speaking have something to hide.

 

Business Meeting Etiquette

• Appointments are necessary and should be made 2 in advance in writing.
• It is often difficult to schedule meetings on Friday afternoon or from mid July to mid August. Also avoid scheduling meetings from mid December to mid January.
• Punctuality for all social situations is taken extremely seriously. If you expect to be delayed, telephone immediately and offer an explanation. It is considered extremely rude to cancel a meeting at the last minute and could ruin your business relationship.
• Initial meetings are scheduled to get to know each other and for your Hungarian colleagues to determine if you are trustworthy.
• Expect some small talk and getting-to-know-you conversation before business is discussed. Do not move the conversation to business yourself.
• Do not remove your suit jacket without asking permission.
• If you have an agenda, it may be used as a springboard to further discussion and not followed item by item.

 

Business Negotiating Etiquette

• Business is conducted slowly.
• Deals in Hungary cannot be finalized without a lot of eating, drinking and entertaining.
• Hungarians are very detail-oriented and want to understand everything before reaching an agreement.
• Contracts should be clear and concise.
• Contracts function as statements of intent. It is expected that if circumstances change, the contract will accommodate the revised conditions.
• Hungarians are skilled negotiators.
• Avoid confrontational behaviour or high-pressure sales tactics.

 

Dress Etiquette

• Business dress is formal and conservative.
• Men should wear dark business suits with a white shirt and tie.
• Women should wear either business suits or elegant dresses, complimented with good quality accessories.
• Jeans are standard casual wear. Shorts are uncommon in the city.
• Business wear is appropriate for all formal occasions.

 

Business Cards

• Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual.
• Have one side of your card translated into Hungarian.
• The Hungarian side should list your surname before your first name, Hungarian style.
• Include any advanced university degrees on your business card.
• Include the founding date of your company on the card.

 

Management Style

• Read our guide to Management in Hungary for more detailed information on this topic.

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