What to wear
In general, corporate dressing in Ireland is formal and conservative. Males are expected to be in formal button-up shirts with formal trousers and a suit to top them. During summer, it is acceptable to skip the suits. For females, it is still not common to wear trousers, therefore a knee-length skirt is advised, together with a formal button-up shirt and closed shoes. Always wear your hair nicely and avoid extravagant jewelry.

What to bring
If there is a special occasion, it is acceptable to bring flowers or a box of chocolates. However, it is unacceptable to bring gifts to your business counterparts unless there has already been a successful conclusion in your deal. Gift-giving is not common in the Irish culture. Always bring your business card to introduce yourself and the company you represent. If you will be doing a presentation, be sure to bring with you the materials you are presenting as references of your counterparts, besides the soft copy of your presentation.

What to expect
Punctuality is very important to the Irish business culture, but it is acceptable to be late for a maximum of 15 minutes because meetings don’t usually start on time. However, always inform your partners that you will be late, otherwise, it will be taken as impolite. When you arrive at a meeting, except that the subject of the meeting will not be discussed right away. Irish people are a little reserved to those who are strangers to them, so it is advised to take advantage of the usual small talks at the beginning of the meeting to introduce yourself and build rapport.

What you should know
If meetings are supposedly outside the office, they should be set in a good hotel and are done over a cup of coffee. Several hotels in Dublin are suitable for small events and gatherings which also presents an amicable atmosphere to your counterparts. Since the business structure in the country is hierarchical, you should know those final decisions are made at the top of the management. Although division managers are also given the chance to contribute to decision-making, the final say is always given to high-ranking officers.

When negotiating, keep in mind that everything you say will mean literally as how it is told. Locals appreciate straightforward and direct conversations, and would be confused if you will discuss by ‘beating around the bush.’ Always be modest in presenting your ideas and do avoid any displays of a financial reputation for the purpose of bragging or overselling your company.

Although the Irish business culture is improving in terms of its treatment between males and females, the two sexes are still not equal in the corporate settings. Some companies still find it hard to appoint females in higher positions, and the decisions of males in the workplace are usually heard more.

To better take advantage of your benefits in an Irish company, take a look at the corporate leaves you’ll be entitled to below: