Slovak culture according to Interculturalist R. Lewis

Slovak identity & main values

Slovak people are proud of their country and their cultural heritage and value their national identity (tend to xenophoby)

Everyday life in Slovakia is modernizing, but is still influenced by traditional values:
- Established gender roles: although things are changing, Slovak men still retain a privileged position in the home, social and business world
- an emphasis on Catholicism
- class differences
- hierarchy and respect for the elder and pregnant wimins

 

Slovak people are generally welcoming, modest and humble. Slovakia is an europhile country (became EU member in 2004 : “back to Europe”)

General behaviors and precious values for the Slovaks

 

The relation to time and space

- Slovaks are monochronic, organized and punctual. Slovaks take time seriously and respecting it for meetings or deadlines indicates genuineness and politeness.

 - Earlier beginning of a working day.  In most bigger companies, the first shift continues to start at 6 a.m. and finish at 2 p.m.

 - The attitude of Slovaks towards time is relatively medium-term. They do not prefer short-term effects but at the same time do not like waiting too long for the harvest.

- Small personal space (lebensraum), which must be respected
Touching each other is uncommon and even considered unacceptable in formal situations.

 - Perception of distances typical of a small country

 

Greetings, first contact, appearance and stereotypes of the Slovaks

 

Slovak communication style

Understanding the Slovak communication style is crucial to interacting successfully with Slovak people

 Communication is direct yet diplomatic with sensitive information being delivered subtly.

 Older Slovakians have a tendency to tell foreign business people what they think they want to hear.

Maintaining an eye contact is important.

Slovaks use many gestures; however, in formal situations, they are rather conservative. In terms of facial expressions they are rather moderate.

 

 

How to communicate with the Slovaks and how to constitute personal networks?

Slovaks like humour, but at first, they are likely to be rather formal.

- The formal you is commonly used. However, with the younger generation this is changing and interaction is usually less formal when the conversation is in English.

- First names are used among friends or family, or once people get to know each other. (diminutives)

You may want to bring a small gift if invited to your business partner’s home.

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A few errors to avoid

Identity – It is important for foreigners not to confuse Slovakia and Slovenia (Both countries became EU members in 2004. Both countries have shield-shaped coats of arms in the top-left of their flag. Both of the above-mentioned coats of arms feature mountains with 3 peaks.

A female resident of both countries is a “Slovenka” in her native tongue. The adjective form in both countries, in their respecitve languages is “Slovensk..” : You find Slovenska Televizia in Slovakia and Slovenske Zeleznice in Slovenia. Both would be possible the other way around.)

Care is needed when comparing Slovakia with the Czech Republic Best to avoid subjects Roma (gypsies); government policy towards Hungarians, and Slovakia’s role in World War II.

 

“The only thing I know about Slovakia is what I learned firsthand from your foreign minister, who came to Texas. I had a great meeting with him. It's an exciting country." told George W. Bush a Slovakian journalist in 1999.Mr. Bush had never met with any representative of Slovakia, rather the SLOVENIAN Prime Minister of the time, Janez Drnovsek.

Other useful sections of the website

Communication an language in Slovakia