Bulgaria vs. Germany: Business Culture Contrasts Essay Example

that often have little to no communication with each other. This lack of communication results in distinct compartments within German corporations, which can be classified as bureaucratic organizations. In these organizations, personal relationships play a minor role as the focus is primarily on accomplishing tasks, with success depending on individual skills. Conversely, Bulgarians were influenced in a different manner. The limitations and restrictions of the communist era fostered open-mindedness, camaraderie, good humor, motivation, and strength among the people. Since the start of democracy in 1989, citizens have finally been allowed to engage in private business ventures.

The business environment is abounded with motivated and creative individuals who are inspired by the new opportunities available. Unlike the Germans' reserved relationships, Bulgarian companies have smoother and more effective communication among themselves. Nonetheless, both countries successfully collaborate in business. According to a government report from December 2009, Germany is one of the top investors in Bulgaria, with over 1200 active and thriving companies. Despite the economic benefits, Bulgarian-based companies still need to interact with local counterparts.

Despite cultural and business differences, both countries can trust each other's behavior and effectively communicate. Germans are known for being diligent, honest, frugal, and organized. They prefer a low-context communication style, emphasizing individual details rather than the overall perspective.

If they express their liking for something, it is because they genuinely appreciate it, rather than simply avoiding offense. Hence, they value punctuality, privacy, intelligence, and interpersonal abilities. Contrasting with Germans, Bulgarians have a High-context communication culture, situated on the opposite bank of the river. When conveying a message, their approach is more vibrant and expressive in comparison to the German communication style.

In conversations, they tend to employ more words, body language, and gestures than most Germans.

During a normal business meeting, the differences between a Bulgarian and a German businessman can be observed. For instance, in a business negotiation, the German businessman tends to showcase his expertise in knowing how the business should be conducted and emphasizes on details like price and delivery in the near future. On the other hand, the Bulgarian businessman prioritizes negotiating a long-term business relationship and does not place as much emphasis on the finer details compared to his German counterpart.

The difference in communication styles can be attributed to cultural factors. Germans tend to prioritize showcasing their skills and expertise during negotiations, while Bulgarians prioritize building long-term business relationships. Both approaches have their merits and are influenced by cultural norms.

In Germany, Germans have a strong aversion to making mistakes due to viewing them as a form of uncertainty. They are reluctant to acknowledge when they have made an error because they want to maintain the impression of being capable and competent. This behavior is driven by their fear that making a mistake would imply the opposite. To protect this image, some Germans even engage in childish behavior by refusing to admit their errors.

The Bulgarians and the Germans are contrasting in their characteristics. The Bulgarians exhibit maturity and uniqueness, while the Germans possess opposite qualities. Unlike the Germans, Bulgarians display fearlessness in taking risks and acknowledging their mistakes to learn from them.

Having experienced living in both nations, I can offer my personal viewpoint on the lifestyle and culture of Germany and Bulgaria. Germany is a country with a strong focus on business, boasting

exceptional infrastructure and ample opportunities. Punctuality and perfection are highly valued by the Germans, as everything is meticulously arranged in its appropriate position.

Despite the fact of everything being perfect, living in a work and money-saving obsessed country can be quite boring. It seems that Germans prioritize "existing" and then "living", with retirement being the critical point between these two ways of life. Once retired, every German is well-prepared to live the way they have been waiting for their whole life, which includes buying a nice car, traveling, and more. The government even supports this life cycle by providing a high standard of living to make it easy to achieve. In contrast, Bulgarians prefer to live their life the opposite way, choosing to "live" first and then "exist".

Bulgarians typically have an amusing and carefree childhood, thanks to their wild student life. While family and career are crucial to them, they also place great importance on having fun.