Intercultural Business Etiquette

Kazakhstan
Communication style
• An indirect style of communication tends to be more effective
than being overly direct, although some bluntness still remains
strong.
• Good topics of conversation: art, food, drink, and
sports. Avoid: politics, religion, and ethnicity.
• Kazakh suggestions and imperatives do not translate well, and
you may find someone giving you dog commands (Sit! Speak!
Eat!)
• An arms length between people while speaking is the norm.
• Touching is best to be avoided between the sexes.
• Direct eye contact is the norm. Avoiding eye contact means
you are ashamed of yourself.
Gestures
• Do not make a fist with your thumb between your middle and
index finger.
• Do not hook two fingers together as it is obscene.