Doing business in Nepal

If you want to do business abroad, it is important to be informed about the dominant business etiquette in the country in which you want to do business. As well as infrastructure, legislation, regulations, and communications, there are often cultural customs and habits which you should take into account. We have compiled a few tips for doing business in Nepal.

The meeting

There is a traditional way of greeting each other in Nepal. The word ‘namaste’ is coupled with placing the palms of your hands together in front of you and bowing slightly. This is the equivalent of ‘Hello’ or ‘How are you?’ Nepalese people are friendly and polite and expect the same from you as well. It is polite to ask about the life and family of the person you are talking to before launching into a business conversation. Be aware that in non-verbal communication, ‘yes’ and ‘no’ mean precisely the opposite to what you would expect in the UK. If you want to say yes, you need to shake your head from left to right, and if you want to say no you need to nod.

Business meetings

Nepalese people often keep work and their private life separate. If you are invited for coffee, lunch, or dinner, it is customary to allow a pause in which a little social intercourse can take place before you begin talking about business. Always follow the example of the person you are speaking to.