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Cultural Etiquette
Cultural Dos and Taboos
1. A firm handshake is the customary greeting. Make sure your handshake is firm. The firm handshake is the standard greeting for men and women, upon meeting and again upon departure.
2.When introduced to a woman, wait to see if she extends her hand before offering to shake.
3. Most greetings take place at a close distance. Yelling hello across a room would be considered culturally inappropriate. Wait until the person or persons with whom you are meeting are in close proximity to you where a quiet and polite greeting can be exchanged.
4. Until acquaintances become close friends, people generally use last name and titles when addressing each other. Younger people are more apt to move to less formal forms of address quickly. Among men, it is common for last names alone to be used in forms of address. Outside the personal sphere, however, it is advisable that professional and governmental titles be used. Note also, however, that in business, titles are used more rarely in verbal communication although they are customarily used in written communications.
5. Maintain direct eye contact during conversations.
6. It is considered rude to speak to someone with your hands in you pockets. Although many younger people may not be as careful in their self-presentation, care in this regard is suggested.
7. Be punctual in all meetings and for all occasions.
8. Proper table etiquette is important in most dining situations. When dining, make sure to keep your hands on the table rather than your lap. Note also that dining is typically continental-style with the fork steadfastly held in the left hand and the knife in the right hand.
9. Bring a gift such as flowers or chocolate for the host or hostess when invited to someone's home for dinner. If flowers are chosen s the gift, ask the florist to recommend type and number of flowers appropriate for the occasion. A gift from one's home country should be fine as well. Do not bring food or drink to the dinner, the hosts may become offended.
10. When making conversation with strangers, never ask personal questions such as "Why aren't you married?" or even "What do you do for a living?" The people of Liechtenstein, like many Europeans, may not appreciate the immediate assumption of familiarity. It is preferable to stick to more sundry conversational topics, such as the weather, sports, travel and the country's natural beauty, and save more personal inquiries when some rapport has been established. Criticisms of the monarchy are not advised unless a relationship with conversation partners has been well-established.
11. One should not expect to see public displays of affection or smiling between strangers passing on the street. Liechtenstien is a fairly conservative culture. (Naturally, this is a generalization and exceptions are guaranteed to occur.)
12. Dress is generally casual and should conform to the temperate climate. Business wear tends to be more conservative; suits are the norm for both men and women.
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