In Austria there are a number of taboos and issues that are considered inappropriate in business style: discussion of the Second World War and criticism of Austria in general. Austrians may find personal compliments embarrassing. Emotionality is seen as a sign of weakness. It is not acceptable to shout, be loud or put your feet on furniture. You must stand up if an older or higher-ranking person enters the room and address people according to their academic titles and surnames. Titles are very important to Austrians. It is necessary to address people by their full correct name, no matter how long this title may seem to foreigners and when addressed in a letter. The offices cannot be reached by phone after 17:00 from Monday to Thursday and after 16:00 on Fridays. There is little joking or talking in the office as Austrians are serious and focused on achieving their business goals. Austrians value order, privacy and punctuality. Austrians tend to be conservative and cautious in their behavior. They respect perfectionism in all areas of business and personal life, and they strive to focus on the task at hand in their approach to work. Following established protocol is critical to building and maintaining business relationships in Austria. Communication is very formal and Austrians tend to be direct. Third party submissions are highly recommended in Austria as they illustrate an image of trust in business. However, they will continue to develop personal relationships with the people they do business with once that trust has been established. The Austrian business culture has a strictly enforced vertically structured hierarchy with clearly defined responsibilities and distinctions between roles and departments. Place in a hierarchy is usually based on a person's achievements and experience in a given field. Academic titles and experience are important, conveying experience and in-depth knowledge of a particular field of work. It is extremely important to show due respect and deference to those who have reached important positions and to all other colleagues. In general, Austrians tend to be conservative when it comes to physical gestures. Unlike France, men never kiss men, and public displays of affection are rare, especially in business settings. Public gestures of affection are usually reserved for close family and friends.

Luxembourgers are excellent linguists, and many of them are quite fluent in meeting in English. Although their communication is more direct than many cultures, they use tact and diplomacy when they speak and expect the same in return. They will tell you what they think, even if it is not what you want to hear, but they will do it with the utmost care and attention. Luxembourgers prefer communication to be logical and based on reason. Business cards are important in Luxembourg. Upon arrival at the office and each person with whom the meeting is taking place, you must be given a business card from the administrator or secretary. It is best not to include academic degrees or titles, as Luxembourgians consider this rude. Luxemburg prefers subtlety to directness. They don't ask personal questions and refuse to answer them. Luxembourgers tend to be polite but reserved, so loudness, confidence and over-familiarity are considered inappropriate at the beginning of a business relationship. Luxembourgers are cautious, prudent and take time to develop relationships before trusting people. They approach a task deliberately without rushing. They won't deal with impatient people. Building relationships requires demonstrating a sincere interest in the country and people. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the history, culture and identity of Luxembourg. Luxembourgers like names, especially in corporate hierarchy. Academic titles and degrees are not considered important and are generally avoided. The most common language for addressing a Luxembourg colleague is French. It is normal to address people as Monsieur, Madame or Mademoiselle without adding a last name. Luxembourg residents expect and value punctuality in both business and social events. Being late for any meeting is considered rude and disrespectful among Luxembourgers.

France has played an important role as a cultural center for centuries and is known for its cosmopolitan, civilized approach to life combined with a great emphasis on style, fashion and appearance. France's distinguished individuality is an important cultural characteristic, embodied in the French passion for uniqueness and freedom of opinion in both society and business. One aspect of French culture that has a big impact on business in France is its attention to the country's rules and regulations. The French do not tolerate uncertainty and ambiguity well, as they do not want to take risks. Gender does not play an important role in French business culture. French organizations and women entrepreneurs, including foreign women, are given the same respect as their male counterparts. However, it should be noted that women are more readily accepted into leadership positions in large cities than in the provinces, where some gender inequality still exists. Women should be aware that flirting is generally considered normal and acceptable behavior in France and is seen as harmless fun to make the day easier at work and socially. However, harmless flirting should not be confused with sexual harassment, which is completely unacceptable. For example, appreciative comments about a colleague's clothing or perfume choice may be considered sexual harassment in America. Meanwhile, in France this is considered a real compliment and is appreciated. Within French business culture, there are a number of issues that are considered inappropriate and disrespectful to their views and values. For example, it is better to start a conversation in French than in English, even if language skills are limited, such an opening can increase the chances of a successful business meeting. The question of wages in France is inappropriate. If, when greeting, a kiss on the cheek is exchanged, which is done at least twice, then it is not recommended to shake hands afterwards. During the lunch break from 12 to 14 o'clock, it is advisable not to call or make an appointment. Bragging about your wealth is considered bad manners. Criticism of Napoleon is misplaced because he represents part of the French spirit.

The most important feature of Belgium is the linguistic division between Germanic and Romance languages, which divides the country in two from east to west. There is no generally accepted explanation for this, but it has become firmly established as the country emerged from the so-called Dark Ages. Following the implementation of language laws passed between 1873 and 1963, French, Dutch and German became the official languages ​​of the country, and there are various regulations regarding their use. According to the latest census, 60% of the inhabitants of Belgium spoke Dutch, almost 40% spoke French and less than 1% spoke German. In fact, it comes as a surprise to many foreigners that the most widely spoken language in the country is actually Flemish (the local form of Dutch) and not French. Although there are marked differences in behavior between individuals and, to some extent, between communities, the Flemings often display more self-awareness than the Walloons. For example, the Belgians tend to be modest compared to their neighbors the French or Dutch. History has taught them to rely on their own strength. There is a strong sense of hierarchy in Belgium and the Flemings are quite introverted and it is necessary to work with this rather than against it. For example, if you give a management decision to Dutch employees, they will challenge the decision and may well suggest alternatives. The Belgian employees will not say anything, but still will not “agree” with him, in other words, they will express hidden resistance. This reserved character is balanced by pragmatism and the typical common sense of the average Belgian. In Belgium's business culture, people are results-oriented and very hardworking, as long as the employer follows the rules. It is possible to develop a warm relationship with a Belgian, perhaps more so with the Flemings than with the Walloons, but this may take time. Status symbols mean very little to most of them, although they almost always strive for two things: their own home (usually a house on the outskirts) and a decent car. In Belgium, it is also not recommended to discuss politics, community issues (Flemish identity, Wallonia's dependence on Flemish help, etc.), religion, racial minorities.

The Netherlands has a well-deserved reputation as an exemplary democracy, embodying the principles of pluralism, social responsibility, tolerance and hard work. It is a highly organized society, so strong that a uniquely Dutch attitude has evolved to accommodate it and is called gedogen, an untranslatable word that implies the ability to tolerate exceptions to the rules. The impact of living in a relatively unfriendly environment for centuries cannot be underestimated. This created a sense of self-worth, combined with a strong team spirit and a great love for the typically Dutch form of cozy communication, that Dutch sense of freedom. Most importantly, it has also created a consensus-oriented society in which everyone speaks their mind. All Dutch people value their opinions and are not shy about expressing them. It was in the Netherlands that people first rejected the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. In history, this was the place where books that were banned in other countries were printed. This was the basis of their common attitude: tolerance. Everyone has the right to their opinion. There are fundamental differences between the Dutch and Belgians. Some say this difference is due to the fact that the Dutch were born into a seafaring tradition. The egalitarian desire of the Dutch also encouraged them to avoid displays of conspicuous wealth: houses and even streets often appear surprisingly small and modest to foreigners. If a Dutch colleague criticizes the actions or words of a foreign business partner, then this should not be taken as a refusal, in this way he is simply expressing his opinion.

There are no real taboos in Germany that exist in other Western countries. Northern Germany (especially Berlin) is more relaxed about etiquette than Southern Germany. Germans are very direct and honest people: if they can or want to help, they will do it, if not, they will say so. Also, Germans speak briefly and this does not mean rudeness. It is necessary to be tactful in relation to the topic of World War II. The legacy of the war is well known to Germans, and jokes about it are considered unacceptable. What may seem like an “innocent joke” from the outside can actually turn out to be awkward and offensive.

Danes often avoid talking about more personal topics unless they know their colleagues well. The Danes place great importance on equality and the ideal that everyone is equal and should have the same rights and respect regardless of their social or ethnic background. Racist and discriminatory jokes are considered very rude. The Danes are a peace-loving and rather modest people. They have a satirical and self-deprecating sense of humor. The Danes have a deep respect for democracy and equality and are extremely tolerant. The society has a successful, well-organized social structure, a healthy economy, high levels of education, and acceptance of gender equality and sexual orientation. Informality is typical of business life. There is no strict hierarchy between employees and management, and employees usually address their boss by name. Manners between colleagues are informal and relaxed. The “cozy lifestyle” can also be seen in the dress code. They rarely wear suits to work. Wealth and high social status in terms of clothing, jewelry and housing are publicly downplayed. Discussion and debate are central to Danish education, both in a social context and at home. Negotiation and teamwork are highly valued in Danish working life, and democratic processes and structures are central to the Danish mentality. The Danes are considered tolerant, so undesirable behavior is usually a violation of tolerance codes. For example, using sexist or racist humor is considered very rude. Modesty in conversation and behavior is also observed. The Danes do not like materialism and displays of personal achievements

Sweden is a generally open culture, but there are still some problems that are best avoided, especially at the beginning of a relationship. Swedes avoid arguments, especially with visitors. If the discussion turns into an argument, the Swede abruptly changes the topic. Swedes don't like superlatives when speaking. They don't like titles or statuses. They avoid topics such as family, income, and personal background. Swedes are very proud of their society, so it is wise not to criticize their lifestyle, welfare system, economy, government or culture. Racist or sexist jokes are not acceptable.

Finland is a Scandinavian country with a strong tradition of business etiquette and communication, as well as an ideal work-life balance. Finland has two official languages: Finnish and Swedish. Finland has long been a culturally homogeneous country. Many Finns are not familiar with foreign customs and religions. This can cause some confusion or unintentional misunderstandings in multicultural relationships. However, there is usually a sincere effort on their part to be polite and respectful of the foreigner's culture. A characteristic feature of workforce flexibility is the use of so-called non-standard forms of employment. These include fixed-term and part-time contracts, as well as staff leasing and non-standard work contracts, which are becoming increasingly common in Finland. Staff leasing services are also becoming increasingly common in Finland. These agencies charge companies a fee to use their services and pay all associated costs. The staff provided by staff leasing agencies are often students or unemployed people looking for work, and for them the service is free. Finns are known for their modesty, but are proud of their history and culture, including technological and sporting achievements, as well as their participation in World War II. Finns value trust, honesty, and punctuality. There are also eras in Finnish history that are best avoided. Finland - as a small country - has been forced to make some foreign policy concessions throughout its history, for which it could be criticized. Examples include their alliance with the Germans at the end of World War II or the so-called “Finlandization” era during the Cold War. There is a love-hate relationship between Finns and Swedes, and between Finns and Russians. So don’t praise the Swedes or Russians too much to your Finnish colleagues. Avoid discussing overly personal topics such as salary, health problems or personal life, especially at the beginning of a relationship. Finns usually try to start out cautiously.

By all accounts, Icelanders sometimes seem withdrawn and unsociable. They do not consider excessive cheerfulness to be a normal way of greeting. There are not many issues that are taboo for Icelanders. One reason for this may be that Iceland is a classless society that has never had an upper class. Taboos are often found in cultures with strong authority groups and class divisions, so Icelanders are quite relaxed when it comes to taboos and rules of behavior. Iceland is also a farming society, and people who grow up in such societies tend to be more open-minded in many aspects. As in other Nordic countries, there are often fewer taboos than in countries such as the United States. Public baths in Iceland have a reputation for being places where you can simply join in a discussion without the fear of getting into an awkward situation.

The Irish identify more with their counties than with the cities they come from. Inevitably, there are a number of stereotypes among Irish people regarding the characteristics of people coming from a particular county. Counties are divisions of the ancient provinces of Ireland, which were historically based on traditional geographical areas. Today, the division of the country into counties is still important and accepted by cultural and sports organizations that organize their activities along county lines. The country's history dates back to 600–150 BC, when Celtic tribes arrived on the island. An important moment in Irish history is the English invasion, which began in the 12th century, beginning more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by brutal revolts and repression. In 1921, the 26 southern counties gained independence from Britain and the Irish Free State was created. Ireland left the British Commonwealth in 1948 and joined the European Community in 1973. The division of the island into Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic was primarily based on the religious orientation of the people. Northern Ireland is characterized by a strong Protestant community, while the Republic of Ireland is predominantly Catholic. There are still differing opinions in Ireland as to whether the two countries should unite or remain separate. The official languages ​​are English and Irish. The Irish are naturally polite, go out of their way to welcome visitors to their country and make every effort not to offend anyone. As a result, some foreigners may find them rather superficial. Life in Ireland seems more relaxed than in Western Europe. The Irish love to spend time with their friends and families, which are closely connected and very important to their quality of life. The Irish are considered flexible and good at improvising. Their planning and strategies may be short-term. At a business meeting in Ireland, it is best to only express your opinion on a subject if you are knowledgeable. The Irish do not like cheap and boastful talk. They value facts and empirical evidence. Emotions do not play an important role in business negotiations. The Irish can be quite tough and skilled negotiators who are able to learn a lot of information about strangers without revealing much of themselves. In business conversations, the topic of Anglo-Irish relations should be avoided. Despite the approval of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, the idea of ​​the Anglo-Irish struggle still lives on in Irish society. By discussing this, speakers are putting themselves on very thin ice and can jeopardize harmonious relationships. Other controversial topics in Ireland include the English, immigrants, the Catholic Church, crime and sexual identity. Behaviors to avoid include greeting strangers with kisses and spitting in public.

People in the UK don't like to be embarrassed. In many cases, they are simply afraid that they might say something that the other party will find offensive or lead to misunderstanding. Therefore, they believe that the best way to avoid this uncertainty is to not start the conversation at all. Foreigners often find shorter conversations in the UK on general topics such as the weather always popular and often used as an icebreaker. UK residents value their privacy highly. Although they may seem very open in public, the implicit message that permeates the entire culture is “please don’t interfere in my personal space.” Although the UK is multicultural, this requirement for privacy makes many people wary of making new friends. If a foreigner really wants to adapt to British culture and make valuable connections, they need to be patient and understand that creating such friendships may take longer than expected. The high value of personal space also manifests itself in everyday life, for example when people will avoid sitting next to someone on the bus or apologize if they accidentally touch someone. Foreign business partners may find that their British colleagues may even be too polite. People in the UK don't usually criticize or complain openly in public; rarely express an honest opinion. Therefore, it is important to read between the lines. Although the UK is a generally open culture, there are some behaviors and topics that are best avoided, especially at the beginning of a relationship: greeting strangers with a kiss; ask personal or intimate questions; historical conflict in Northern Ireland, religion, monarchy and royal family, partisan politics, European Union, Brussels and the euro, Middle East, questions of human origins, religion, profession; criticism or complaints in general. Many of these issues are regulated in the business environment under various employment and equality laws designed to prevent discrimination in the workplace.

Spain has experienced an important shift in values ​​and attitudes, especially since the restoration of democracy in 1975. Spanish social values ​​and attitudes were modernized as people became increasingly in contact with the outside world and the country was opened up to the outside world. In this regard, the influx of tourists to Spain has had a major impact. Tourists not only bring foreign currency into the country, but also bring with them the democratic, political and social values ​​of Western Europe. The Spanish culture or way of life is very different from other Western European cultures, with a much more laid-back attitude. Spaniards are less anxious and more relaxed, enjoying life to the fullest; love good food, drinks, dancing and music. Family is an important part of life, and changes in the family institution also affect business culture in Spain. Spaniards are generally open and tolerant towards other cultures, there are sensitive issues that are best avoided in casual conversation or business meetings, these include discussions of the Franco regime, concentration camps and prisons, the Spanish Civil War, guerrilla politics, religion, conflicts between regions of Spain (especially Basque, Catalonia and Gibraltar), homosexuality. Other topics to avoid include bullfighting, machismo and feminism. Moreover, although the body language of a Spaniard is usually more animated. It is advisable not to use unnecessary gestures and avoid, for example, pats on the back or hugs at the initial stage of a business relationship. Once relationships with Spanish business partners have developed into a strong bond, friendly gestures such as hugs may become acceptable.

Over the past 3,000 years, Italy has experienced many migrations and invasions and has been influenced by many civilizations, including the Etruscans, Greeks and Romans. After the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD, Italy remained fragmented into a large number of city-states for many years. During the early modern period, it was annexed by the Kingdom of Spain, the Austrians, and also the Napoleonic Empire. During the restoration period (1815–1835), popular uprisings took place on the peninsula. At the end of this period, the Italian Wars of Independence began. All this led to the unification of Italy under Victor Emmanuel II. in 1861, and this status quo remained until 1946, after 20 years of fascist dictatorship until the end of World War II, when the Italians opted for a republican constitution. Italians are very friendly to foreigners, probably because Italy is a favorite destination for tourists, who are often fascinated by the country's history, natural beauty and culture. Although it is difficult to define a specific "taboo", it should be borne in mind that a number of topics are sensitive, for example, politics, the mafia, private family issues, private income.

The ancient classical and Hellenistic eras of Greece left behind many ideas, concepts and art that formed the basis of what we call “Western Civilization.” The greatest philosophers and mathematicians lived during these eras. The history of Greece is a series of invasions and possessions: the Macedonian Empire, the Roman and Byzantine Empires, which ended with the invasion of the Turks. A new independent Greek state was proclaimed in 1830 at the end of the War of Independence. In 1974, after a seven-year dictatorship, the country's system of government changed from a constitutional monarchy to a presidential parliamentary democracy. In 1981, the country became a member of the European Union. Greece, being a popular tourist destination, warmly welcomes foreigners. Greeks are very proud of their culture and history. They are open to debate and enjoy talking about cultural and historical topics, but tend to have strong opinions on issues related to religion and politics; therefore, it is better not to raise these topics. Topics regarding Cyprus and Turkey should be avoided as both of these are topics on which Greeks find it difficult to change their views and which can evoke strong emotions. Although they often like to criticize aspects of their own society and daily life, they do not accept criticism from others. Additionally, there are certain hand gestures that can be misinterpreted by Greeks, so it is recommended to avoid: the American "OK" sign, which is generally considered an obscene gesture.

The Portuguese are very friendly and welcoming to strangers. They are sincere and usually mean what they say. Personal relationships are especially important in business and, in fact, are very often as important as products or services. In general, the Portuguese prefer to do business with those they can trust, which is usually the result of spending time building relationships. The approach in Portuguese business in general is also one of flexibility, sometimes seeking long-term business relationships rather than one-off transactions. The Portuguese have great respect for foreigners and therefore usually warmly welcome them and their ideas. In the 70s, anything that came from outside Portugal was considered a “new” fact, which was probably due to the Fascist government banning certain products or services. Currently, due to the recession, the Portuguese prefer to buy their own products, although they are usually more expensive due to the lower volume of production in terms of product or service. Topics that are particularly suitable for conversation with Portuguese colleagues include: football, Portuguese food and wine, family, politics, economics, films, travel, music and literature. Portugal is a culture that respects age and status. In Portuguese society, status is crucial. Car brands, executive remuneration, academic titles - all this is very important in Portugal. Interestingly, the car brand is probably the most significant element of status. The position is so important that it is normal to see employees who are underpaid for the work they do but are happy because of their status. Because the Portuguese place a high value on status, they have great respect for their superiors, which is often exaggerated. Because of this approach, Portuguese workers are not used to standing up for their own ideas or questioning management, and so their bosses tend to become dictators. This ingrained cultural reluctance to challenge authority is probably the biggest weakness of the Portuguese workforce. In the workplace, this usually manifests itself as a low appreciation of teamwork, an analysis of only personal interest in action, and a reluctance to take responsibility. The Portuguese are generally complacent and do not like confrontation. Disputes are usually resolved through discussion, negotiation, or avoidance altogether. Very often, Portuguese employees do not seek empowerment and are not used to taking responsibility. When something goes wrong in an organization, it is the fault of a colleague, a competitor, the government or the economy. Therefore, it may be difficult for foreign firms to find someone who will take personal responsibility for carrying out delegated work. Another problem in Portuguese business culture is failure to fulfill obligations on time or at all. Foreign partners are not advised to expect that the obligation will be fulfilled without constant attention and pestering. In Portuguese business planning is often poor and deadlines are not considered very important. Additionally, Portuguese people tend to plan more than they actually achieve - over-promising and then under-achieving. Topics best avoided include colonial wars or the fate of their victims. It's also best to avoid other controversial topics such as religion, racism, discrimination or abortion.

Business in Croatia is very formal, but receptive to cross-cultural management. They are willing to accept foreign ideas as long as they are treated with respect, while any dictatorial or forceful approach to business by a foreigner will not be tolerated. Croatia remains a country in transition, which is why the government encourages foreign direct investment (FDI) and partnerships with local companies through liberal frameworks and tax incentives. Discussions of the political and military history of Yugoslavia, the collapse of communism, the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and anything related to war crimes are best avoided. It is also necessary to avoid a gesture such as raising the thumb, index and middle fingers at the same time, which symbolizes the Serbian gesture and is associated with Serbian nationalism.

The history of Cyprus dates back almost 9,000 years of civilization through the Persian, Egyptian, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian empires. The Hellenization of Cyprus began sometime after 1400 BC, when the first Greeks came to the island. Indeed, Greek influence continues to this day with the spread of their language, culture and religion. The island was invaded by the Turks in 1571 and Cyprus became part of the Ottoman Empire until World War I, although it had been under British government rule since 1878. Cyprus was declared a Crown colony in 1925 and declared independence from the United Kingdom in 1960. Since 1974, the Republic of Cyprus has been divided into two main parts: the southern territory controlled by the Republic covers about 59% of the island's area; and the northern part of the island remains under Turkish control. Northern Cyprus is considered occupied territory of the republic by the international community, and the UN has been operating on the island since 1964. Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus, known by Turkish Cypriots as Lefkosa, and is divided by the Green Line, a border dividing the city and the country in two. The people of the Republic of Cyprus are warm, friendly and hospitable. Most Cypriots speak Greek, but English is widely spoken. Talk about politics and the division of the island should be avoided because it is a sensitive issue for both the Greek and Turkish communities. Although the Turkish occupation of Northern Cyprus is not officially recognized as legitimate by the international community, the Turks themselves believe in their rights and consider themselves citizens of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” and not an invader or a minority group.