What should I expect when doing business in Malta? That is a question my people ask themselves, yet few master…
10. Don’t use Maltese
Just as with other countries, especially Luxembourg, no one in Malta uses Maltese. Well… that’s a slight exaggeration but at least when you are doing business in Malta, no one will speak it!
Even if your Maltese counterparts speak Maltese at home. They will never speak Maltese in a business sense. Often, if you try, you will be rebuked and told that Maltese isn’t used in a business sense.
Whilst often there will be no issue with you trying. The Maltese may even be grateful that you’ve made the effort! It will be polite but assertive that they don’t really use Maltese.
9. Don’t speak ill of the British or Italians
Both the British and the Italians have had a monumental impact on Malta. Not just in terms of their language but also their culture and politics too!
As such, the Italians and the British are revered by many Maltese! Many Maltese people often have heritage from at least one of these countries, whether directly or indirectly!
As such, by insulting, whether directly or indirectly, Italy or Britain, the Maltese take it quite personally. Much like an insult to the Maltese directly!
Whilst making a joke about a British or Italian politician with a longtime business associate won’t be taken offensively. Doing it in your first or second meeting… will be.
8. Don’t offend Catholicism
Malta has long been seen as the bulwark of Catholicism. With the Ottomans, the Russians and the English, Malta stood strong against them. Even if they lost in the end anyway!
Probably the most famous (and historically significant) Catholic order, The Knights of Malta, are from… well… Malta! There is even an entire section of the Maltese constitution dedicated to making it clear that Catholicism is religion!
In fact 93.9% of Maltese people identify as Catholic!
As such, if you insult or otherwise offend Catholicism (for some reason or another), you are likely offending your business associate! Something that won’t help you at all, if you are doing business in Malta!
7. Conservative yet fashionable
Just like the French, the Maltese are very conservative but also quite fashionable!
If you are attending a business meeting in Malta, there is an expectation that it will be formal. Men will be dressed in a casual business suit with polished shoes, or at least a shirt if it is during the hot summer months.
For women, a stylish and fashionable (yet appropriate) dress (with an accompanying jacket or blazer) is appropriate! Alternatively, women can wear a standard suit as they would if thy were doing business anywhere else!
As long as it isn’t offensive or overly revealing, the Maltese are generally fine with it!
6. The difference between Maltese, Italian and English
As with many other countries, there is a divide inside Malta. Whilst it’s not as prominent as it is in perhaps Belgium or Luxembourg. It is still there.
However, there is certainly a divide between those of English, Italian and Maltese descent. However, it must be said that in recent years, this has begun to disappear, in many parts of Malta, it is still quite prevalent!
The English are by far seen as the ‘civilised’ force in Malta. Most people of English descent are better off and generally hold more prestigious jobs than those who aren’t of English descent.
The Italians are considered to be the hard working middle class. They are the teachers, local government managers and librarians (among other middle-skill jobs!)
The Maltese on the other hand are a mixture of all both, but also the lower class. As such, with some in the country, there is some dislike between the three races, although this is often few and far between!
5. Know your Maltese counterparts
Whilst I’m not suggesting that you should stalk your counterparts. It will help you to know your Maltese counterparts.
Do they like sports? If so, what sports? Do you have anything in common? If so, what? Do you share anything similar? Origins from the country (if you’re both foreigners!)?
Once you have done this, you will be able to (subtly) make conversation about it. If it is that you both like football (whether American or European), do your teams have a rivalry? Do you support the same team?
If you have origins from the same country (many Maltese have English, French, Italian and Middle Eastern heritage!) can you bond over that? It will certainly give you an advantage over your competitors!
Thanks to the advent of social media and the internet, you will be able to find that information out perhaps a little easier! Although you could always ask them the old fashioned way!
4. Use their media
Once you know a bit about them, you can probably then find out their political leanings. This is also key to knowing what media you should trust! (Most media in Malta is owned by either the Nationalist (conservative) or Labour Parties!)
If they are conservative, you’ll know that they probably read The Malta Independent or something similar. If they support the Labour Party, they will probably read something like Malta Today.
Once you have done that, you will know how to best approach them. Talk with them about the latest headlines or current events. But make sure not to overdo it!
3. Punctuality is key!
As with most other countries, if you are doing business in Malta, it is expected that you are on time, all of the time!
It is expected that you provide sufficient time beforehand in order to make the necessary arrangements. As with many countries, tardiness gives an impression that you are unorganised, or even that you don’t care about doing business with them!
This could have the unintended consequence of derailing your business negotiations. Which may or may not harm your business more!
2. Food
As with the Andorrans, the Maltese are fond of their food. Unlike the Andorrans however, the Maltese will rarely conduct business over food.
The Maltese are avid bakers, and equally love their work and their traditional dishes. How do this translate to doing business in Malta?
Much of this will be on offer. Confused? Don’t worry.
Much of the Maltese traditional dishes can shrank almost. This means that you may be offered a smaller version of Kapunata or Lampuki Pie. However, the Maltese won’t be offended if you turn it down.
(However, many businesses have stopped doing this in recent years!)
1. Complimentary!
During negotiations, there is often a stigma about complimenting people. For many in the west it feels almost like, even if the compliment is sincere, that somehow it is false.
Yet the Maltese don’t feel this way! If you are doing business in Malta, and your Maltese counterparts compliment you or a member of your team. It is not a false compliment! It is genuine!
If you are complimented, compliment them back! They won’t see it as not genuine! So why not?!
What else should you know about doing business in Malta? Remember, if you are looking to do business in Malta, our translation services are world class!