Iceland🕣
Island country in the west of Northern Europe. Official name – Republic of Iceland. Population – 343,000 (as of April 2021). Capital – Reykjavik. Official language – Icelandic. Government type – unitary parliamentary republic. Main religion – Lutheranism.
Iceland
Greeting
The traditional form of greeting in Icelandic society is the handshake. Such things as seniority, status or age are not that much important. The greeting is given to the person standing next to you or who has just entered the room.
Both men and women shake hands during a meeting. Greetings between the sexes also take the form of a handshake.
Only women exchange light kisses on the cheek, and even this is only possible after they have got to know each other well.
In Iceland, there are no specific etiquette or behavioural rules to be followed when communicating in business contacts. Equally, there are no pronounced prohibitions or taboo zones. Icelanders communicate equally smoothly with both their colleagues and potential partners from abroad.
Introduction
In Iceland it is customary to address each other by their first name. This does not only apply to residents of the country, foreigners are encouraged to follow this rule. In fact, Iceland does not have a system of naming people, which is common all over the world, including surnames and first names, and sometimes middle names or patronymics.
What in the understanding of other nations is...
Exchange of Business Cards
In Icelandic business practice, it is customary to exchange business cards during introductions at the first meeting, as well as at various events, conferences and forums.
The text of the business card can be in English or Danish. Both of these languages are compulsory in secondary school, so the level of proficiency is quite high in this society.
On the business card, in addit...
Small Talk: Overview
During a business meeting, Icelanders devote little time to small talk and are ready to move straight to discussing business matters.
The Icelanders' manner of communication at the initial stage of business contacts can be characterised as reserved and somewhat closed. However, they quickly switch to less formal communication, seeking to create an atmosphere that is comfortable for all...
Preferred Topics
A traditional topic of conversation is the weather. It is very unpredictable and can change several times during the day. Icelanders are very dependent on the weather, so it is always on the agenda.
Icelanders will be happy to tell you about the marvellous natural phenomena and unusual places that Iceland is known for. These include hot springs (geysers), northern lights, ice caves, w...
Taboo Topics
Be careful when discussing economic issues, especially the global economic crises of the recent past. Your Icelandic colleague may react emotionally to the topic, as Iceland suffered the most from the effects of the latest financial crisis and people still remember it.
Even if the weather gives you a day of surprises, changing from rain to hail with snow and wind, don't show your irrit...
Personal Space
In Icelandic society, a comfortable conversation distance is the length of an outstretched arm, i.e. about 1 metre. It does not matter whether the participants in a conversation are men or women, acquaintances or strangers, natives or foreigners. With the latter, however, the distance may be even slightly greater.
You should not try to shorten this distance, your Icelandic interlocutor...
Communication Specifics
At the beginning of a business relationship, Icelanders may seem reserved, not very sociable and even a bit harsh. However, over time, as they get to know you better, their manner of communication will become more open and friendly.
The friendliness of Icelanders will also manifest itself in the fact that as your business develops, your partner is likely to invite you to their home or ...
Any questions? Contact us.
Ask a Question