The Republic of Poland (Polish: Rzeczpospolita Polska), commonly known as Poland, is a democratic republic located in Central Europe, consisting of 16 provinces.
Social Etiquette and Customs
When meeting guests in social situations, Polish people generally greet with a handshake. When meeting family and friends, they often greet with a hug. They also commonly practice hand-kissing. Hand-kissing is typically done when a lady extends her hand in a downward position, allowing the other person to gently place her hand in theirs and kiss it, while keeping the lips slightly away from the hand.
Conservative-style suits are appropriate for various occasions. Meetings with government officials must be arranged in advance. In Poland, most enterprises are state-owned, and the efficiency of handling matters is quite slow, often requiring multiple negotiations. Polish officials, like those from other Eastern countries, engage in bargaining as part of their job, so you must be prepared to offer discounts.
Using names to address each other is reserved for intimate friends. Prearranged meetings are absolutely necessary.
Even for brief visits, it is customary to bring flowers for the hostess (only an odd number). When presenting them to the hostess, the wrapping paper must be removed. One thing to note: red roses, which symbolize romantic love, should not be given.
They particularly love flowers and attribute different meanings to different flowers to convey various emotions: they regard roses as a symbol of “love”; they believe carnations carry meanings of “wit” and “happiness”; orchids are seen as the “flower of passion”; chrysanthemums are used for “funeral flowers”; and they especially love “violets”, considering them to bring joy and happiness. Therefore, they honor them as the national flower.
