Sri Lanka Culture Tips
+ The influences of Buddhism and Hinduism as well as the caste system have created a culture that emphasizes hierarchical relationships. Sri Lankans are conscious of social order and their status relative to other people, be they family, friends, or strangers.
+ The tenets of karma and reincarnation help foster hierarchical structures because they purport that people are born into their social order based upon their behaviors in their previous life. Therefore, if a person is born to a wealthy family, it is right that this person should be highly educated and achieve material wealth, since that person previously led a good life and should be rewarded.
+ Marriage is considered the most important event in a Sri Lankan’s life. Some parents identify potential souses for their children through a network of friends and relatives, marriage brokers, the Internet, or newspaper advertisements.
+ Meetings generally start with a brief welcoming speech followed by relationship-building conversations. Sri Lankans must feel comfortable with you before they can conduct business.
+ Meetings may be interrupted more frequently than in many Western cultures but less so than in Arab cultures.
+ Relationship building is such a vital part of the business culture that you should expect to be treated extremely well. Sri Lankans pride themselves on being gracious hosts. They also want you to feel indebted to them since they believe that this facilitates negotiations.
- from RW3′s CultureWizard® Country Profiles
