🇬🇪 Georgia Meeting Culture
Georgian business meetings blend warmth and hospitality with respect for status. Initial interactions often include polite small talk to build rapport, and professional or academic titles may be used until invited to be less formal. Relationship-building and trust matter, and business discussions may continue over meals and social gatherings.
- Schedule meetings in advance and share a clear agenda and supporting materials. Research seniority and roles; in more formal settings, be ready to use professional or academic titles with surnames. Plan time for relationship-building and potentially a longer meeting than scheduled.
- Arrive on time and greet everyone individually, typically with a handshake on arrival and again when leaving. Maintain appropriate eye contact, and let the higher-status person initiate when appropriate; wait for a woman to extend her hand if relevant. Use titles and surnames until invited to switch to first names.
- Expect a structured discussion, but allow for conversational rapport-building. Senior participants often steer the conversation; avoid aggressive confrontation and keep a respectful tone. Decisions may require follow-up conversations and continued trust-building, including informal discussions over meals.
- Send a concise written summary of agreed points, responsibilities, and timelines. Maintain contact and follow up politely; relationship continuity is valued and may influence progress on decisions and negotiations.