🇪🇹 Ethiopia Meeting Culture
Ethiopian business meetings are formal and respectful, with strong emphasis on courteous greetings, eye contact, and deference to seniority. Relationship-building and patience are important.
- Schedule meetings in advance and prepare detailed materials. Be mindful of hierarchy and formal titles in government or large organizations.
- Greetings are formal; handshakes may be prolonged and combined with direct eye contact. Avoid rushing greetings and observe norms around cross-gender contact.
- Expect time spent on polite inquiries before business. Senior people often speak first; avoid embarrassing others and keep disagreement diplomatic.
- Follow up in writing with a respectful summary and agreed actions; allow time for internal consultation and decisions.