Hungarian Business Etiquette

There is an old Hungarian saying:

“A zúrt nagykapu mellett, mindig van egy kiskapu”

Or...

“If the big gate is closed, there’s always a little gate open”

Hungarikum

This term is a combination of “Hungary,” or “Hungaria” and ‘‘unikum’’ meaning “unique.” Hungarians view themselves as citizens quite different from those of other European countries. It can refer to their food, family values, language, folk music, dancing, etiquette and respect. 

The Hungarian language – Magyer— is a unique language that stands under the umbrella of the Uralic language family. The closest known language to Hungarian is the Finnish. Many Hungarians mention this to show uniqueness and it is a source of pride. Hungarians are very respectful and etiquette oriented and will be very aware to show it and expect it to be returned.

Hungarian Names

Before knowing how to use Hungarian greetings it is wise to understand how Hungarians name themselves.

• Hungarians will use surname then first name: Kovács Erzsébet.
• Hungarians will introduce themselves using their surname first and then first name.
• Some married women may want to keep their maiden surname or take on their husbands or take on both names. The word: né is an indicator of marital status. Example: If a woman’s name is “Kovács Erzsébet” and her husband’s name is “Nagy Imre,” she may choose “Nagy Imrené” or she may choose “Kovácsné Nagy Erzsébet.”
• Children traditionally will take on the father’s surname. Hyphenated names are becoming more common than in the past.
• As a term of endearment between friends and family, names can be shortened. For example, men named “Zoltan,” will be called “Zoli.” Or women named “Erzsébet,” may be called “Erzi” as a shortened name.
•  Traditionally, Hungarians may have been named after a religious saint.

Hungarian Greetings 

• In the past, greetings have been gender and aged based.
• It’s best to wait until you are told how a person wants to be addressed, before addressing someone you are meeting.
• The older generation may bow to you.
• If you are known by someone and you have met several times, the person will then use your first name.
• A firm handshake and making eye contact is a suitable greeting.
• Friends and relatives will greet each other with a hug and kiss on each cheek, starting on the left side.
• Men will shake hands only if the women extends her hand first.
• Adults will greet children and teenagers by their first names.
• Children and teenagers will be told how to address an adult.
• During Soviet rule, many Hungarian honorifics were erased from social greetings.

How to Use Honorifics

Please look at the above table and the corresponding numbers to see how to use these Hungarian honorifics. Please note, not everyone will use these terms:

1. “Kovács úr Péter” (surname úr firstname)
2. “Kovács né asszony” (surname)
3. “Mária Kisasszony” (firstname)
4. “Kovács Erzsébet úrhölgy”
5. Kovács néni (using surname), Mária néni (using firstname)
6. Kovács bácsi (using surname), Péter bácsi (using firstname)
7. Kislány Kovács (using surname), Kislány Mária (using firstname)
8. Kisfiú Kovács (using surname), Kisfiú Péter (using first name)


Hungarian Communication

• Hungarian style of communication can be blunt, direct and controversial. To make a point, they will tell a story, use anecdotes with emotion and intensity, mainly to get you thinking. Replying straight after a statement is key, rather than holding back will avoid raising their suspicion.
• Even though Hungarians pride themselves on using etiquette, they will ask probing questions that may make you feel uncomfortable. It is best to have an answer. This will assist in creating trust and open the way for you to ask a tricky question back later.
• Embarrassing a Hungarian in public can be reprehensible on your part. This will lead to bad and lasting ill-feelings. If you feel the need to criticize leave it to a time when you both have privacy.
• Hungarians tend not to show physical affection in public however, this is slowly changing in modern Hungary. There will be differences in how genders display physical contact and based on how well they know each other.
• Personal space for a Hungarian is essential. Crowding them in or getting too close can make them feel uncomfortable.
• Eye contact is especially important. Not looking straight into the eyes of someone can trigger thoughts that the person is hiding something, and they will not pursue friendship or cut their conversation quickly.

Hungarian Business Etiquette 

Hungarians place value on the efforts that go into building business relationships. The efforts include you repeated correspondence, meeting up over time whether it be at a café, restaurantor cultural events, and on the understanding, it takes time and patience. Reciprocating the invitation is advisable, this will build trust and long-term business relationships. Being referred by a Hungarian counterpart is an excellent way to skip some of the beforementioned processes.

• Being on time is key for good social and business relationships to flourish. If you are delayed, immediately call and apologize. Give a reason for being late and promise to be there as soon as you can.
• Appointments should be made two weeks in advance.
• Constantly cancelling appointments will be a red flag to your Hungarian counterpart. Business may not proceed.
• Using titles has been particularly important to Hungarians. Not using someone’s title could mean you are not serious and show disrespect. Always check your previous correspondence and find out the name that your business counterpart prefers to use.
• Hungarians are better with face-to-face contact then through emails, phone calls, Zoom or Skype.
• Initially upon meeting use small talk to get the conversation and trust going. Wait for your business counterpart to steer the conversation. 
• Talking business straight away will concern your Hungarian counterpart. Building trust and showing sincerity is a better route to go. Pressuring business partner and being confrontational will put an end to all business relations.
• Hungarian businesses will have a hierarchical structure which they expect you will respect. 
• If you are wearing a jacket and want to take it off, wait to be invited.
• When there is an agenda, it is best to stay within the agenda, if there are any side topics that can be brought up at the end or at another time.
• Hungarians are incredibly detailed orientated and do not like surprises. When doing business, you need to be open and transparent. Allow for changes to contracts and open dialogue when doing business.
• In dealing with Hungarians in Hungary, during the summer months (July to mid-August), holidays period from mid-December to mid-January will difficult to schedule appointments, especially Friday afternoons.

Hungarian Business Greetings

• Hungarians are very conscious to call you by the name you want to be called by. If you have in your correspondence: Dr Margret Smith, you will be introduced as “Dr Smith Margret.”
• Finding out that you are a CEO or higher rank, you will be given the respect as they would treat you within a Hungarian company.
• If you hear a Hungarian telling you about their university degree upon meeting them, take interest in this and acknowledge the achievement. It is considered a great feat to go to university and pay for it’s fees. 
• If you are doing business within Hungary, its best to invest in a translated business card. One side should be in English or your country of origin and the other side, in Hungarian. Your card should include your surname first, and first name last and any degree abbreviations you have achieved.
• Many Hungarians will know a few languages, depending on the area they where born in and what they have learned in school. This could range from high and low German, French, Croatian, Serbian, Romanian or Russian.

For many years, Etiquipedia contributor, Elizabeth Soos, has had a keen interest in cultural customs. With her European background and extensive travel, Soos developed an interest in the many forms of respect and cultural expectations in the countries she has visited. With her 20 years’ experience in customer service within private international companies based in Australia, and her lifetime interest in manners and research, she decided to branch out into the field of etiquette and deportment. Through her self-directed studies and by completing the Train-The-Trainer’s course offered by Emma Dupont’s School of Etiquette in London and by Guillaume Rue de Bernadac at Academie de Bernadac based in Paris and Shanghai, she founded Auersmont School of Etiquette.

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia