Out of South Africa

The FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11th. For many business travelers and tourists, this will be their first visit to South Africa. It’s useful to have these rules on the South African lifestyle to hand.

EARLY HOURS. Lunchtime meetings are popular – but so are breakfast ones. South Africans generally go to bed early. Appointments are arranged well in advance. It is not advisable to ask for a meeting during the Christian festive seasons, from mid-December to mid-January or over Easter.

PLAYING PATIENCE. When negotiating with South Africans, allow a lot of waiting time. They fire up easily, but it may be a long time before they’re ready to sign on the dotted line. Don’t hustle them.

BODY CONTACT. You generally greet women just with a nod; men with a brief handshake. Partners may hug after clinching a deal. People like to be addressed by their proper titles.

GIFT OF TONGUES. Almost all city dwellers speak English and Afrikaans. The written language is always English. If you bring an interpreter to a business meeting, or speak in broken school-boy English, they’ll find it hard to take you seriously.

SMALL TALK. Avoid mentioning racism, African politics, crime, or Aids. Reticence is a virtue; parading your superior knowledge isn’t. You can safely discuss sport, the beauties of the South African landscape, or cars. South Africans are proud of what has
been achieved since the end of apartheid – and of their national rugby team. If you know your rugby you’ll soon make friends. People like to feel you’re genuinely interested in South Africa.

LAND OF PLENTY. South African cuisine is excellent and varied. Meat figures largely on the menu: lamb, veal, chicken, turkey, and ostrich – not to mention crocodile, antelope, and buffalo. Barbecues (braai) are very popular. Meat portions are very large by European standards.

TABLE MANNERS. It is advisable to book restaurant tables well in advance and specify where you want to sit. It’s usual to leave a 10% tip. Be sure to enjoy the excellent local wine, and make a point of expressing your appreciation. BYO (Bring Your Own) is acceptable in
almost all South African restaurants, though they will charge corkage.

CHEERS. Toasts and speeches are uncommon. At a formal dinner, the host will start eating in order to encourage the guests to do so. People tend to drink moderately at lunchtime, less so in the evening. Black Christians tend to frown on beer drinking.

COUNCIL OF ELDERS. In South Africa it is normal for the boss to open the door for a trainee. Courtesy is the rule within the corporate hierarchy. As in the old tribal traditions, a junior will never initiate a conversation with a senior or boss. Age is more important than status.

DRESS CODE. Business people dress in accordance with their profession or rank – anything from leisurewear to black suits, but the accent tends to be on formality. European business partners are expected to wear suits and ties at the first meeting, or for the signing of a contract, even if the temperature is in the nineties.

WEAR YOUR LAURELS. Germans have the reputation of being punctual and reliable, so you’d better live up to it.

TIME SLOTS. If you have an appointment with a VIP – a minister, for example – allow plenty of time. It’s quite normal to have to wait several hours, or even come back next morning. Africans consider an official enhances his own importance by making his visitors wait.

CONFESSION OF FAITH. Don’t be surprised if an African businessman asks you what religious denomination you belong to. African Christians are quite unembarrassed by the question.

MANNERS MAKETH THE BUSINESS-MAN. South Africans are favorably impressed by polished manners. Small gestures of politeness, such as opening doors for people, offering a chair, or taking somebody’s coat, are much appreciated.

FURTHER AFIELD. Don’t be taken aback if a business partner unexpectedly invites you to his "farm" or country house. The visit may include water skiing, a hunting expedition, or a barbecue. Europeans are often irritated by this chumminess. Actually it means less than you may think. Still, even if your trip is strictly business only, you’d better pack your jeans.

SOCIAL CONSCIENCE. It’s an advantage to show some social commitment as well as doing business. The government is keen on promoting things like (further) training projects, medical care, and new kindergartens; they may even be stipulated in the contract.