Romania – the gifted business player of “New Europe”
By Gregoire Vigroux

Romania is a country of contrasts. As a matter of fact, there is not only one Romania, but several ones, as the country is made of several regions which have very different cultural roots. Therefore, my modest view is influenced by the people I know best: the ones living in Bucharest.
First of all, I would say most Romanians are very proud of their country and cultural heritage. Never tell a Romanian his country is Slavic, or has been influenced by Turkey, because this is a very sensitive point. Romanians are very proud of their Latin heritage. They like to present their country as a “Latin Island in a Slavic Sea”.

Romanians are also extremely attached to their traditions. If you have the chance to be invited to several Romanian weddings, you will notice that the food, music and dances, are always the same. A Romanian wedding, like any other important event in Romanians’ lives, must stick to tradition. Also, do not forget your colleagues’ birthdays and name days – because it really counts for them. Some events such as Marţisor (1st March) and the Internations Women’s Day (8th March) are so important to Romanians that both dates should be marked in your agenda – and never forgotten. Offer some flowers on both occasions, because Romanians love flowers like no other population in the region. Also, never make jokes about religion, because most Romanians strongly believe in God. You can observe that easily, by looking at all the people who make the sign of the cross whilst passing a church.
Romanians are generous people. Even those who do not have much money will always invite you for dinner on special occasions – such as their birthdays. They are also the kings of hospitality and they will do their utmost to ensure you enjoy a dinner in their home. By the way, never refuse an invitation, it would not be understood.

Romanian employees tend to be obedient and docile with the managers they respect. They do not contest and complain much in front of their superiors, and tend to stick to the given instructions. Reflexes from communist times have not totally disappeared. Sometimes, you may feel lack of initiative; a reluctance to make decisions which involve risk; and incapacity to work with true autonomy. Also, I have noticed that some entrepreneurs are more interested in short-term profits than in creating long-term business value. But I also have the feeling that these weaknesses are vanishing with the new generations.

I think the most striking Romanian attribute is their amazing capacity to adapt to multicultural environments. After all, Romanians are open-minded people who like to study: many of them – no matter what their socio-cultural background is – have master’s degrees and show high aptitude for speaking foreign languages: primarily English and French, followed by Italian and Spanish. Young Romanians are also ambitious, always looking for new opportunities to grow in their company, and they can work very hard to reach their objectives.

Although some Romanians still have unpleasant reflexes harking back to the communist era, times are changing with new generations; whereas their traditions, as well as their hospitality, sensitivity, ambition, multilinguism and capacity to adapt easily in multicultural environments – are remaining intact. Romania is therefore both a charming country and a very gifted business player of the “New Europe”. And that is just great news for all those (like me) who love this country and believe in its future!