Georgia Technique

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Posted by: Economist.com | LONDON
Categories: Etiquette
TRAVELLING to Atlanta is not difficult: its airport, Hartsfield-Jackson, is the busiest in the world, with annual passenger traffic in excess of 80m. And doing business in the city is not too tricky either: avoid silly redneck jokes and you'll be fine. But just to ensure smiles all round, you should read these tips below (part of a series). Locals can let us know what we've missed out.

• Atlantans are generally quite friendly. A bit of small talk is typical before a meeting. But friendly does not mean informal: it is best not to address your business acquaintances by their first names until invited to do so.

• Atlantans are not particularly fond of hearing how things are done differently in other cities: if you must compare, balance criticisms with compliments. A sure way to lose goodwill is to talk about how much nicer and less commercial the Sydney Olympics were.

• Take the usual care when discussing topics that might touch on race and politics. Play it safe and ask about an alma mater. Many Atlantans are fiercely proud of the university they went to, especially the local favourites: the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Morehouse College and Spelman College. Atlantans can also discuss traffic, and routes to various destinations, endlessly.

• Running a little late is tolerated, but try to plan for traffic. If you get stuck, try to call from the car and give your location and the severity of the traffic; the person taking the call should be able to estimate how much more time you will need.

• Avoid scheduling Friday afternoon meetings during autumn, as people may be travelling to see their favourite college football team play.

• During the summer months, when Atlanta’s heat is at its most punishing, it can be particularly challenging to keep from wilting. Locals, however, will look perfectly pressed and put together. Take extra shirts to change into mid-afternoon.

• Don't be surprised if your contacts lack a southern accent: many Atlantans grew up outside the South, or were told not to sound like yokels as children. Exclaiming over an accent, or the lack of one, is uncouth.

• Despite the above, “y’all” is the inescapable second person plural. Everyone in Atlanta, from the third-generation native to the newcomer who lived in New Jersey six months earlier, uses it. Don’t feel the need to adopt it if it doesn’t trip off the tongue, but don’t react strongly to it either.

• Jokes about rednecks, moonshine, trailers, marriages between cousins, men named Bubba or women named Betty Sue Linda Jean are only acceptable from those who can actually point to such occurrences within their own families.

• A bottle of wine is usually a welcome gift at a dinner party, but some of your contacts may eschew alcohol (ask first). Buy before Saturday at midnight; Georgia does not permit the sale of alcohol on Sundays.

• Atlanta is far more politically correct than it used to be; ten years ago it was still acceptable to hold business lunches at strip clubs. Nonetheless, older businessmen may still take more liberties with female colleagues than their counterparts in New York or San Francisco. If someone calls you “darlin’”, it is better to accept it as a compliment than to take offence.

• If you ask for tea, especially between March and October, it will probably be served over ice; if you want it steaming, you must order “hot tea”. When ordering tea, specify “sweet”, which can be tooth-melting, or “unsweet”.