SLOVAKIA | Internship: At work | Dress code and manners
Business culture is based on relations. Although in formal contacts Slovaks use titles and prefer using the family names and more formal way of communication, they have no problem to address foreign partner using their first names. In institutions and companies relations are more formal and hierarchy of positions is respected.
It is common in Slovakia to use titles when addressing people at work. At universities academic titles are used when students address their teachers. We don't address people at work by their first names unless we are explicitly asked to do so. We use the titles such as, for example, Mr. Director, Mr. Supervisor, etc. (It doesn't sound so strange in Slovak.) This is not always true in foreign companies. In the Slovak language there is also the problem of using the second person singular (Ty) or plural (Vy) when addressing people. It is rude to use the singular unless you are asked to do so. An older person can request a younger one to use the singular; a supervisor can request a subordinate, and a woman can request a man.
Many entrepreneurs (mainly the young ones, but not only them) and their employees can communicate in English and English language is getting more and more popular. On the other hand the older generation understands German better or speak Russian as Russian was a compulsory foreign language in the past. To make the communication more efficient Slovak businessmen use the service of interpreters in the process of negotiation.
Prior to commencing placement a trainee should seek advice about dress codes in the company/office. You can usually wear casual clothes at work, but they have to be clean and neat. Unusual hairstyles and clothing can cause doubt about work performance with the older generation