It can take a while to get used to the business etiquette in a new country.

Dress Code:
Bulgarians are fairly formal in their work attire and would be horrified by the US-style ‘dress down Fridays’. Men usually wear a suit and tie and women also wear suits or dresses with high heels and ample make-up.

Smoking:
Most offices are now legally nonsmoking, but it doesn’t stop people from smoking in the corridors or closed offices where majority rule is in force!

Punctuality:
Bulgarians are not known for their punctuality and you may find people strolling in late for meetings, often without even apologising. Obviously your reaction will depend on your relationship to the offending party, but if you have arranged to meet in a cafe or restaurant, it may be worth waiting 15-30 minutes before deciding to leave.

Formality: Most Bulgarians are on a first name basis amongst their colleagues using the familiar ‘you’, but will address the boss by his/her full name and the polite ‘you’. Women in the workplace are treated fairly equally in Bulgaria, but US citizens and other westerners may find male comments sexist. Bulgarian women tend not to get too bothered about this kind of behaviour, but if it bothers you point it out firmly andpolitely.