What is today known as Bangladesh was established when Bengal separated from India in 1947. It was then named East Pakistan, part of the newly formed nation of Pakistan. Dissatisfaction fueled by political exclusion and ethnic discrimination by the dominant West Pakistan, culminated in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, which the Bengalis won due to the assistance of India and this led to the establishment of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Today
The restoration of democracy in 1991 has been followed by relative calm and economic progress and over the last two decades, Bangladesh’s economy has grown at an average of about 6%.
Bangladesh has a rich cultural heritage which encompasses both old and new traditions. It is also the world’s most densely populated non-island nation. Though it is largely Muslim, the country has a sizable number of Hindus and other minorities.
Bangladeshi Culture – Key Concepts and Values
Identity – Bangladeshi culture assimilated over centuries and is an amalgamation of Hindu, Jainist, Buddhist and Islamic influences. Bangladeshi national identity is embedded in Bengali culture and is symbolically centred on the 1971 struggle for independence from Pakistan. During that liberation struggle, the key elements of Bangladeshi identity focused on the importance of the Bengali mother tongue and the distinctiveness of a culture or way of life connected to the floodplains of the region.
Community – Although progress has been made in terms of the advancement of women (the current Prime Minister is female), Bangladeshi society functions along patriarchal lines and major decisions are still made by males. The village or ‘gram’ is a central concept to Bangladeshis, even those who now reside in cities. Bangladeshis bear a strong sense of community and family and kinship form the core of social relations.
Social Etiquette – Hierarchy is important in Bangladeshi society and differences in age and status are observed through language conventions. Individuals with higher status are not addressed by personal name; instead, a title or kinship term is used. Placing the right hand over the heart after a handshake is an indication of respect. Men and women do not shake hands with each other. In same-sex conversation, touching is common and individuals may stand or sit very close. The closer individuals are in terms of status, the closer their spatial interaction is.
Doing Business in Bangladesh
Although struggling with political instability and corruption, Bangladesh’s economy has grown 5.8% per year since 1996. It is also strategically located as the gateway to South and East Asian regions. Almost half of all Bangladeshis work in the agriculture sector. It is a major producer of rice, tea, sugar wheat, textiles, fertilizer, pharmaceuticals and ceramic tableware.
Bangladesh is subject to annual monsoon floods and cyclones which may negatively impact regular harvesting. Understanding this and other local and cultural implications is essential to successful business in Bangladesh.
Part 1 – Working in Bangladesh: Working practices in Bangladesh
Structure and hierarchy in Bangladeshi companies
Working relationships in Bangladesh
Part 2 – Doing Business in Bangladesh: Business practices in Bangladesh
Bangladeshi Business Etiquette (Do’s and Don’ts)
DO use titles wherever possible, such as ‘Professor’ or ‘Doctor’. If your Bangladeshi counterpart does not have a title, use ‘Mr’, ‘Mrs’ or ‘Miss’.
DO wait for a female business colleague to initiate the greeting. Bangladeshi men do not generally shake hands with women out of respect.
DO not start eating until the oldest person at the table begins when invited to a meal.
DON’T be aggressive in your business negotiations – it can show disrespect.
DON’T take large or expensive gifts as this may cause embarrassment. If you do take a gift make sure you present the gift with both hands.
DON’T refuse any food or drink offered to you during business meetings as this may cause offence.
Bangladeshi Culture Quiz – True or False
1. It is considered an insult to show the soles of your feet.
2. Showing emotion during business meetings is acceptable.
3. It considered polite to refer to your counterparts on a first name basis.
4. When invited to a meal, it is acceptable to flatly decline the invitation.
5. You should only eat or drink with your right hand.
Bangladeshi Culture Quiz – Answers
1. True. Showing the soles of your feet/shoes is considered highly offensive.
2. False. This may lead to loss of respect from your Bangladeshi counterparts.
3. False. Men should be addressed as ‘Sir’ while women should be addressed as ‘Madam’.
4. False. You should use indirect communication to suggest that it may not be possible.
5. True. The left hand is considered unclean.
Bangladesh Today
The restoration of democracy in 1991 has been followed by relative calm and economic progress and over the last two decades, Bangladesh’s economy has grown at an average of about 6%.
Bangladesh has a rich cultural heritage which encompasses both old and new traditions. It is also the world’s most densely populated non-island nation. Though it is largely Muslim, the country has a sizable number of Hindus and other minorities.
Bangladeshi Culture – Key Concepts and Values
Identity – Bangladeshi culture assimilated over centuries and is an amalgamation of Hindu, Jainist, Buddhist and Islamic influences. Bangladeshi national identity is embedded in Bengali culture and is symbolically centred on the 1971 struggle for independence from Pakistan. During that liberation struggle, the key elements of Bangladeshi identity focused on the importance of the Bengali mother tongue and the distinctiveness of a culture or way of life connected to the floodplains of the region.
Community – Although progress has been made in terms of the advancement of women (the current Prime Minister is female), Bangladeshi society functions along patriarchal lines and major decisions are still made by males. The village or ‘gram’ is a central concept to Bangladeshis, even those who now reside in cities. Bangladeshis bear a strong sense of community and family and kinship form the core of social relations.
Social Etiquette – Hierarchy is important in Bangladeshi society and differences in age and status are observed through language conventions. Individuals with higher status are not addressed by personal name; instead, a title or kinship term is used. Placing the right hand over the heart after a handshake is an indication of respect. Men and women do not shake hands with each other. In same-sex conversation, touching is common and individuals may stand or sit very close. The closer individuals are in terms of status, the closer their spatial interaction is.
Doing Business in Bangladesh
Although struggling with political instability and corruption, Bangladesh’s economy has grown 5.8% per year since 1996. It is also strategically located as the gateway to South and East Asian regions. Almost half of all Bangladeshis work in the agriculture sector. It is a major producer of rice, tea, sugar wheat, textiles, fertilizer, pharmaceuticals and ceramic tableware.
Bangladesh is subject to annual monsoon floods and cyclones which may negatively impact regular harvesting. Understanding this and other local and cultural implications is essential to successful business in Bangladesh.
Part 1 – Working in Bangladesh: Working practices in Bangladesh
Structure and hierarchy in Bangladeshi companies
Working relationships in Bangladesh
Part 2 – Doing Business in Bangladesh: Business practices in Bangladesh
Bangladeshi Business Etiquette (Do’s and Don’ts)
DO use titles wherever possible, such as ‘Professor’ or ‘Doctor’. If your Bangladeshi counterpart does not have a title, use ‘Mr’, ‘Mrs’ or ‘Miss’.
DO wait for a female business colleague to initiate the greeting. Bangladeshi men do not generally shake hands with women out of respect.
DO not start eating until the oldest person at the table begins when invited to a meal.
DON’T be aggressive in your business negotiations – it can show disrespect.
DON’T take large or expensive gifts as this may cause embarrassment. If you do take a gift make sure you present the gift with both hands.
DON’T refuse any food or drink offered to you during business meetings as this may cause offence.
Bangladeshi Culture Quiz – True or False
1. It is considered an insult to show the soles of your feet.
2. Showing emotion during business meetings is acceptable.
3. It considered polite to refer to your counterparts on a first name basis.
4. When invited to a meal, it is acceptable to flatly decline the invitation.
5. You should only eat or drink with your right hand.
Bangladeshi Culture Quiz – Answers
1. True. Showing the soles of your feet/shoes is considered highly offensive.
2. False. This may lead to loss of respect from your Bangladeshi counterparts.
3. False. Men should be addressed as ‘Sir’ while women should be addressed as ‘Madam’.
4. False. You should use indirect communication to suggest that it may not be possible.
5. True. The left hand is considered unclean.
