Top Culture and Business Etiquettes in Ireland

Financial District in Dublin, Ireland (Photo by David Crespo on Getty Images Signature)

Fáilte! (Welcome!)

Doing business in Ireland can be a rewarding experience, but it’s important to keep certain cultural and professional norms in mind.

Irish culture is steeped in history and tradition, so understanding how people interact with each other is key to successful business dealings. From the way conversations are conducted to gift-giving etiquette and the nuances of negotiation — it pays to be aware of these subtle differences when doing business with Irish partners or colleagues.

In this article, we’ll look at some tips on how you can navigate through the unique Irish approach toward conducting business. So, let’s dive in!

Communication Style

• The art of communication in Ireland is a unique blend of modesty, humor, and a dash of indirectness — they like to make points through anecdotes!
• You’ll find that Irish conversations often take scenic routes before reaching their destination!
• The Irish are renowned storytellers, often infusing their tales with a generous dose of wit and sometimes embellishment.
• While they value personal space, they won’t shy away from engaging in friendly banter and lively discussions.
• Be aware that in Ireland, if you constantly brag or exaggerate, people will be suspicious of you.
• The Irish have this interesting way of not really saying they are unhappy or don’t agree. Instead, they kind of give subtle hints, like changing the topic or using humor or sarcasm.
• The Irish generally speak in softer tones. It’s considered impolite and off-putting to be too loud or disruptive.
• Be aware that some Irish people inhale or take some short breaths while saying “yes” in a conversation to express agreement. It’s like a gasp followed by a “yes.” Don’t get startled if you catch your Irish colleague doing this — and there’s no need to inquire about their breathing!
• In Ireland, it’s pretty common to hear the Irish say “God” and “Jesus” or even use some swear words during conversations. They don’t consider it profanity, and it definitely isn’t meant to offend anyone–it is just how they communicate!

Body Language and Non-Verbal Communication

In Ireland, non-verbal communication is subtle but significant.

• Consistent (but not constant) eye contact is considered a sign of trustworthiness and sincerity.
• They respect personal space and aren’t big on physical touch during conversations unless they share a close relationship. Maintaining about an arm’s length is the norm. And you’ll be glad to hear that they refrain from pushing when in queues or on public transport!
• When talking, the Irish tend to keep their hands moving but they don’t actually make hand gestures.
• Instead of pointing with a finger, the Irish will nod or jerk their chin or head toward what or who they are discussing.

Dress Codes

When it comes to attire, Irish professionals strike a balance between conservative and comfortable.

• In business scenarios, the norm is wearing dark, subdued colors with men typically opting for suits and ties, while women lean towards business suits or dresses.
• Due to the number of rainy days in Ireland, always be prepared with a stylish raincoat as part of your business attire.
• Casual wear is acceptable in less formal situations, but remember, it’s always safer to be overdressed than underdressed.

Business Meetings

• Punctuality is valued in Irish business culture, and although your Irish counterpart might be slightly late, you need to be one time.
• Always shake hands with everyone during the introduction period.
• Meetings usually kick off with light-hearted banter (to build rapport) before diving into serious business matters.
• Don’t be surprised if your business meeting extends to a meal or even a drink at a local pub!
• Sometimes the entire meeting will be held in a pub or restaurant. When this happens, it is all very casual and relaxed and the main focus will be socialization and building rapport.
• Any meetings held in the office will be more formal with clear agendas.

Dining Etiquette

Dining etiquette in Irish culture is pretty informal and relaxed. But let’s look at a few rules of etiquette that you need to be aware of in Ireland.

• Keep your elbows off the table, and keep your hands in your lap when you are not holding your utensils.
• The fork always goes in the left hand and the knife in the right.
• Always pass food to your left.
• It’s considered impolite to make loud noises, like slurping, while eating.
• You should finish all the food on your plate, and then place your knife and fork parallel to each other across the right side of your plate.
• Normally the host will pay the restaurant bill.
• Tip: Take the time to learn a little about the food you will encounter in Ireland, such as Irish breakfast dishes, Irish seafood dishes, Irish meat dishes, Irish vegetarian dishes, and their amazing Irish desserts and sweets. You might like to read up on Irish alcoholic drinks and Irish non-alcoholic drinks too!

Gift-Giving

• Gift-giving isn’t common in Irish business culture, however, bringing a bottle of wine or a souvenir from your country to a social business event is appropriate.
• If you are invited to an Irish home, it’s customary to bring a small gift like a bottle of wine or spirits, chocolates, or flowers. Tip: Avoid lilies as they’re associated with funerals in Ireland.
• Keep in mind that the Irish consider the thought of the gift more important than the actual worth of the gift.
• It is normal for a gift to be open when it is received.

Tips for Successful Business Negotiations

• Relationships: When negotiating in Ireland, relationship-building is key. Start with informal chats to build rapport before delving into business matters.
• Competence: It is important to show your competence by using good communication techniques and fair practice. Be clear, concise, and honest in your propositions.
• All points of view: When it comes to negotiations and business proceedings, there’s usually a lot of discussion involved. It’s important that everyone actively participates to ensure that everyone considers all points of view of the situation.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Avoid bragging about personal accomplishments as it’s seen as arrogance.
• Be very careful to not dominate any conversation or be overly direct or aggressive as it will be seen as being impolite and pretentious.
• Respect for Ireland’s rich history and cultural heritage is essential, so steer clear of sensitive topics like religion and politics unless you know the person well, and even then you still should tread lightly!
• Never refer to the Republic of Ireland as “British” or infer that it is part of the United Kingdom. It is not! Ireland is a separate country entirely.
• Don’t stereotype or use clichés about your Irish counterparts, specifically about alcohol and drunkenness.

Conclusion

Learning about Irish business culture can help you succeed in the workplace when you’re working with an Irish company and/or have colleagues from Ireland. By understanding their cultural norms and knowing how to interact appropriately, you’ll be more comfortable and will ultimately leave a good impression on your Irish colleagues.

Be sure to keep things light-hearted when building relationships, be mindful of dress codes and dining etiquette, don’t forget to bring a small gift if you’re invited into someone’s home, and never call your Irish colleagues “British”!

By following these tips, you’ll surely be well on your way to successful business dealings in Ireland!

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of Irish cultural and business etiquette tips. So if you have any great points to add, just include them in your comments!

Ádh mór! (Good luck!)