If your host is Muslim, during the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and work hours are shortened.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Dress in Israel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- \n
In most Israeli business environments casual dress or business-casual are the norm, inquire with your host. Israeli men will wear polo shirts, short or long-sleeved fabric shirts and cotton trousers or jeans, and women will wear dresses, skirtsand blouse-pant combinations.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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For the first meeting, dress in the same manner that you would dress at home. Israelis expect foreign guests to dress in higher quality that reflects their country’s standard for high-end business-casual attire. You are different; make that statement to be respected for it. Dress down after your initial meeting if you wish.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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In the banking, financial, legal and political sectors, day to day men\u2019s wear consists mainly of jackets, open collared long sleeve shirts and slacks. Dress for formal events in this environment is mostly jacket and tie and suits are reserved for the most official and high-level venues. Female executives normally wear dresses and pant suits.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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For women interacting with conservative or Orthodox Jews, or when visiting certain areas of Jerusalem, modest, non-revealing clothing should be worn, with elbow length sleeves and dresses that extend past the knees.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Negotiating in Israel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- \n
Invest resources in researching your Israeli partner. Make sure that language will not be a negotiation challenge. Communicate in an attempt to understand their needs and expectations.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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Use empathy to your advantage. Limit the amount of de-motivating elements such as control and dictation, creative limitation and reduced significance, and make concessions on secondary issues that may be important to your Israeli counterparts.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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During meetings, seating arrangements are not governed by cultural norms and are at the discretion of both visitor and host.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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Agreements and contracts should typically be supervised by legal experts fluent in both language and international law.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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During business discussions Israelis may get loud and argumentative. It is perfectly acceptable for you to behave in a similar manner. Don’t be surprised if an agreement is suddenly reached, but final decisions take time, so expect a few meetings to be held in the process.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
General Guidelines in Israel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- \n
Addressing people by their first name is common and important for creation of a comfortable communicative atmosphere.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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A friendly invitation for coffee or a soft drink can be expected as a meeting begins. If you are hosting the meeting, ask your guest if they would like something to drink.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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If you are invited to lunch or dinner, make your preferences known. Israelis are sensitive to their guest’s culinary enjoyment and fulfillment.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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If you host a business dinner, or visit a restaurant it is useful to find out ahead of time if your counterparts observe Kashrus. This would mean that they will not eat pork or certain kinds of seafood, and that they will not mix meat and dairy. An appropriate restaurant or menu should be selected accordingly.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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Israelis do not strictly separate business and pleasure. Conversation will commonly gravitate to business even during social occasions.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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Thank you letters are very much appreciated by Israelis who view them as “foreign graciousness”. Such letters can be effective. Business summaries and documentation should be sent separately.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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