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Talking about greeting people or entering in a Slovak’s house, there are some customs that we haven’t in France. Thanks to the handbook and the internet, we discover those customs which will help us to minimize the culture shock. 

Thus, about greetings, they are warm but not effusive. In fact, Slovaks are used to doing a handshake with direct eye contact and saying “dobry den”. Moreover, in Slovakia, people use “Pan” or “Pani” as mister and miss and their surname to introduce them. It’s very recommended to wait the agreement of someone before using his first name.

If we look into the customs when we are in a Slovak’s house, it’s recommended to be well dressed and arrive on time. We also learn that it’s impolite to keep our shoes when we enter in the house. So we will have to take our shoes off but in order to not be cold, Slovaks are used to offering slippers for their guests. Moreover, it is very important to refuse the first even the second offer of the hostess to be polite. It’s better to wait the third one or that the hostess insists. If we will eat at a Slovak’s house, we will have to wait the phrase “do brou chut” from our host before eating and we will should finished our plate to be polite.

Fortunately, some customs are the same than in France. For example, we have to look each other in the eye when we are toasted. It’s also a good thing to bring a gift to the hostess when we are invited, this gift can be wine, flowers or good quality chocolates as in France.

By Mathilde Petiteau and Manon Rosset

	Bibliography :
https://www.uniza.sk/images/pdf/propagacne-materialy/UNIZA_welcome-guide-2018.pdf
https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/slovakia-guide

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