Only those who throw off their own cultural influences can clearly recognise a foreign culture without any blurring.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.4.3″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.3″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ module_class=”reverse-columns-mobile” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_padding=”0px|||||”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.4.3″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.5″]
Photos: Montage:AdobeStock\/nikitausm, Shutterstock\/Gau Mon, olya\/Freepik; trivero Kommunikation<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_padding=”0px|||||”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.5″]
Awareness of one\u2019s own background is one of the keys to successful intercultural encounters. Another is an appreciation for of all things unfamiliar. But what does this mean when you set out on your first business trip to the former Soviet states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania? \u201cTreat people the way you would like to be treated,\u201d says Tobias Koch, a communication scientist who, among other things, has published an audio book on business etiquette in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. This always applies in principle, of course, but in a special way here as well: \u201cRespect is very important in all three countries, because back in the time of the Soviet Union as mini appendages of it, they received little appreciation.\u201d The need to break away from this overpowering state at the end of the 1980s was correspondingly great. The enormity of the will for independence and freedom was shown by the human chain formed on 23 August 1989 by two million Balts through the then Soviet republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, to demonstrate for their independence. To this day, the three cultures are marked by a high degree of national consciousness and solidarity with their homeland. But be careful: \u201cOne shouldn\u2019t talk of the Baltic States,\u201d emphasises Koch. \u201cThe people in these countries value their national identity highly and have emancipated themselves economically at high speed through digitisation; all three countries are paragons in this respect.\u201d <\/p>\r\n
However, digitisation and in particular the start-up mentality that is anchored in the minds of many younger people should not hide the fact that a too casual approach does not go down well. In Estonia, for example, caution is advised at first when it comes to personal topics: \u201cFamily topics are far too private on first contact,\u201d Koch points out. A far better approach would be to discuss more harmless topics like sports \u2013 and, of course, basketball, which is very popular there, for example. \u201cElectronic voting, e-voting, and electronic tax, e-tax, are also well suited as warm-up topics, as the people there are very proud of them.\u201d On the other hand, it would be an absolute mistake to confuse the capitals of the three countries: \u201cThat would be like stepping on a landmine,\u201d states the expert. However, there are no particular pitfalls for Germans: \u201cGermany is valued far more than Russia.\u201d And in general it is helpful to point out similarities.<\/p>\r\n
The countries also cooperate economically, not least in order to remain politically and culturally independent. Networking is also very important in the three states: \u201cEveryone knows everyone,\u201d states Koch. And that doesn\u2019t just apply to Latvia as the smallest of the three countries. \u201cEspecially in Lithuania, personnel policy is dominated by who you know; this is still intergenerationally anchored in the culture, so to speak, because without relationships it was very difficult to survive in the Soviet Union.\u201d Although the Balts may feel themselves to be Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians overall, they see their future more in Europe than in Russia.<\/p>\r\n
The fact that not everyone speaks Latvian or Lithuanian, and that Estonian as a Finno-Ugric language is particularly difficult to learn, is something that the Balts are quite aware of, of course. That\u2019s why they appreciate it all the more if visitors learn a few words in the national language \u2013 although no one expects perfection. \u201cEnglish is spoken fluently almost everywhere and makes for the best common denominator,\u201d states Koch. Some, including older people, also speak Russian, of course.<\/p>\r\n
Regardless of the language, conversations about beer are always a good starting point in Lithuania. \u201cThe Lithuanians love beer, and it really is their national drink par excellence,\u201d states Koch. Another ice-breaker is to get to know the respective country and its customs in advance. \u201cThe aim should be to find something that the country or company in question can do really well, that they do faster and better than the competition,\u201d explains Koch. \u201cIt can just be a small thing but should also come across authentically, without overdoing it, of course.\u201d If you can convey that you have understood that a small country can be more agile than a larger one, you are also likely to score points for sympathy.<\/p>\r\n
However, drawn out small talk is not required in any of the three countries: \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t rush into things, but you can \u2013 without being pushy \u2013 clearly formulate what your intentions are and state your own goals in concrete terms. Other than in Russia, directness and a business-like approach go down well. \u201cYou can score points here with integrity and by not rambling on,\u201d states Koch. \u201cThat actually suits the German mentality and work ethos very well and forms a good foundation.\u201d However, there is one special thing you should note here: \u201cYou should know that in Lithuania a compromise can be interpreted as a sign of weakness,\u201d states Koch. \u201cThat comes from the time of the party cadre where whoever conceded lost.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
In terms of cuisine, the proximity to Nordic cultures is again evident. \u201cThe cuisine is more Scandinavian,\u201d Koch reports. More proximity to the northerners also exist with regard to the mythological background, for example Christmas. Likewise, vodka does not have the importance it has in Russia. Quality is more important than quantity when it comes to souvenirs. In the end though, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania come down to being three entirely independent cultures. (cb)<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”dtb-sticky” _builder_version=”4.4.8″][et_pb_sidebar area=”et_pb_widget_area_7″ show_border=”off” admin_label=”Werbung Startseite \/ Artikel” _builder_version=”4.5.2″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_sidebar][et_pb_sidebar area=”et_pb_widget_area_9″ show_border=”off” admin_label=”Werbung Artikel” _builder_version=”4.5.2″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_sidebar][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.logistics-pilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Tobias-Koch-c-Trivero-Kommunikation.jpg” title_text=”Tobias-Koch—c—Trivero-Kommunikation” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.7.5″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”25px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ header_3_text_color=”#002e5b” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||40px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] Tobias Koch is a trained carpenter and head of a communications agency in Munich with a master\u2019s degree in communications science.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Logistics Pilot” image=”https:\/\/www.logistics-pilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/GB-LP_Indien_December_2020.jpg” icon_placement=”left” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_color=”#002e5b” header_font_size=”21px” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”17px” body_line_height=”1.4em” animation=”right” link_option_url=”mailto:marketing@bremenports.de?subject=Please%20send%20me%20the%20Logistics%20Pilot%20Magazine” link_option_url_new_window=”on” custom_css_blurb_image=”width:100px;||transform: rotate(-10deg);” custom_css_blurb_title=”padding-top:15px;||margin-bottom:-5px;” box_shadow_style_image=”preset1″ box_shadow_color_image=”rgba(0,46,91,0.3)” global_module=”50941″ saved_tabs=”all”] Die aktuelle Printausgabe – jetzt kostenlos anfordern.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" BALTIC STATES. The culture in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania may be similar, but each country attaches great importance to its own independence. Business travellers are therefore best advised to avoid using the collective term Baltic States during their stay.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":54601,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54713","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-behind-the-scenes-en"],"yoast_head":"\n\u201cRespect is very important in all three countries.\u201d<\/h2>\r\n