Dress Code: Bulgarians are fairly formal in their work attire. Men usually wear a suit and tie and women also wear suits or dresses with high heels and ample make up. In creative and media fields the dress code is much more casual, and many international companies have implemented the ‘dress down Friday’.
Smoking: It is now illegal to smoke in the workplace, though in reality some people still do since there is next to no system for checking it, but most smokers are now resigned to smoking on the street.
Punctuality: Bulgarians are not known for their punctuality and you may find people strolling in late for meetings, often without even apologising. Obviously your reaction will depend on your relationship to the offending party, but if you have arranged to meet in a cafe or restaurant, it may be worth waiting 15-30 minutes before deciding to leave.
Formality: Most Bulgarians are on a first name basis with their colleagues, using the familiar ‘you’ (ti), but will address the boss by his/her full name and the polite ‘you’ (Vie).
Equality: Women in the workplace are treated fairly equally in Bulgaria, but US citizens and other westerners may find male comments sexist. Bulgarian women tend not to get too bothered about this kind of behaviour but if it bothers you point it out firmly and politely.
