BUSINESS GIFT GIVING IN ESTONIA
- Be conscious that generosity and giving presents in business associates are not standard practice in Irish business culture
- Estonians are somewhat reserved, especially in the early stages of developing a business relationship. It’s not necessary send gifts at the beginning of a business relationship.
- They expect foreign businesspeople to keep their word
- Estonians dislike an overly casual attitude towards business, especially from foreigners. If you want to send a business gift, choose something that’s not too expensive nor too personal. They’ll sure appreciate an office gift containing tea, coffee or biscuits.
- If your Estonian colleagues invite you to a social occasion, they want to get to know you as an individual and develop a personal relationship. Afterwards you can send them a little thank you gift, like a bottle of white wine.
- Present your business card so it is readable to the recipient.
- Treat someone’s business card with respect.
- Estonians are not emotive speakers
PERSONAL GIFT GIVING IN ESTONIA
- In Estonia gifts are usually exchanged for birthdays and at Christmas. Christmas time is still the most important holiday celebrated in Estonia. For Estonians, Christmas is a mixture of the traditional, the modern, the secular, and the religious. Why not send a surprise breakfast for this ocasions?
- If you want to send a gift to an Estonian friend or beloved, a gourmet basket with chocolates and candies will always be appreciated. Sending champagne to Estonia or a good bottle of French wine is also a good idea.
- Estonians are fond of coffee.
- Gifts need not be expensive as it is more about the thought than monetary worth
- Gifts are usually opened when received.
Links to helpful sites about Estonia:
Holiday dates in Estonia
http://www.riik.ee/en/
http://www.vm.ee/eng/kat_174/1191.html
Taxes and Customs to Send a Gift to Estonia
http://www.fedex.com/us/international/irc/profiles/irc_ee_profile.html?gtmcc=us
http://www.emta.ee/?lang=en
http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/europe/european-union/estonia/currency-converter.htm
Estonian Personal White Pages for Addresses & Postal Codes
http://www.wayp.com/eng/europa3.shtml
http://www.numberway.com/phone-numbers/45/
http://www.arikataloog.ee/ari.php
