It is normal for individuals in Iceland to be direct in their speech.  This should be expected therefore and not taken offensively.

You should ensure that appointments are made in advance and that you state the intended meeting time, using the 24-hour clock as this ensures that potential misunderstandings in respect to the language used (e.g. the use of half / quarter past / to) are avoided.

Individuals in Iceland place great value on punctuality and for this reason it is strongly advised that you contact your respective meeting host, if you are likely to be late.  Always arrive in advance of the start time, so that you are in a position to participate in the meeting at the agreed start time.

It is common practice to exchange business cards when you meet your hosts for the first time.

Republic of Iceland is an island country, located in the North Atlantic Ocean, between the Greenland and the Great Britain, to the northwest from Faroe Islands.

Iceland is the only European country that does not change from summer to winter time.

Icelandic.

Iceland was one of the biggest unsettled islands until the arrival of Norse settlers and Celts (Scots

and Irish) in the late 9th and 10th centuries. The oldest parliament in the world – Althing, founded

in 930, has its origin in Iceland.

The rest of the Chronology:

• 1000 – Christianity  was adopted as a state religion.
• 1262 – Iceland was brought under the Norwegian crown.
• 1397 – Possession of Iceland passed to Denmark-Norway, when the kingdoms of Norway and Denmark were united; without the autonomy, Iceland became one of the poorest countries in
• Europe, economically and socially.
• 1944 – Icelanders voted in a plebiscite and the vote was 97% in favour of the new republican constitution.
• 1949 – Iceland formally became a member of NATO, even without the army.
• 1970 – Iceland became a member of The European Free Trade Association.

Legally permitted opening hours:

Monday - Friday: 9.00am – 6.00pm.

Saturday: 10.00am – 4.00pm.