Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Relocating to Kazakhstan isn’t just about changing time zones or employers; it’s about entering a very particular social and cultural universe, at the crossroads of Central Asia, the Russian world, and nomadic heritage. Understanding these codes is crucial for avoiding faux pas, quickly building a solid network, and, quite simply, feeling at home.
Kazakhstan is a vast country, the ninth largest in the world. It features a striking contrast between the modernity of its major cities and a deep attachment to traditional values. Family, hospitality, respect for hierarchy, and a sense of community are central. These are essential to know before preparing your trip.
Understanding the Cultural Framework: A Country Between Steppe, USSR, and Globalization
Kazakh culture is a unique blend of several historical layers: steppe nomads, gradual Islamization, Russian and Soviet domination, and then accelerated opening to the world. This results in a country that is both very welcoming and sometimes puzzling for an expatriate accustomed to more individualistic societies.
The dominant values remain community, stability, family, and loyalty. The rapid changes of recent decades—urbanization, market economy, digitalization—have been grafted onto a foundation that remains profoundly collectivist and hierarchical.
A Multiethnic and Officially Trilingual Country
Society is highly diverse, with over a hundred ethnic groups. This plurality is essential for understanding the variety of behaviors, especially between Russophone major cities in the north, more conservative southern regions, and western oil zones.
Here is a simplified overview of the ethnic and religious composition as it appears in the various cited sources.
| Category | Approximate Share of Population | Key Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Kazakhs (ethnic) | 53–63% | Mostly Sunni Muslims of the Hanafi school |
| Russians | 23–30% | Primarily Orthodox Christians |
| Others (Ukrainians, Uzbeks, Germans, Tatars, Uyghurs, etc.) | ~10–20% | Strong cultural and linguistic diversity |
| Muslims | ~69–70% | Daily practice varies greatly, Islam often “cultural” |
| Christians (mostly Orthodox) | ~17–23% | Catholic and Protestant minorities present |
Two languages structure daily life: Kazakh (the state language) and Russian (an official language widely used in business and administration). Authorities push a trilingual policy (Kazakh–Russian–English), but in practice, English remains concentrated in major cities, international business circles, and among younger generations.
For an expatriate, this means: the necessity to adapt to a new culture and an unfamiliar environment.
In the world of business and bureaucracy, Russian remains the dominant language by far. In rural areas or the southern part of the country, Kazakh may be the reflex language for inhabitants. English can help you get by, mainly in urban services (hotels, cafes, start-ups), but its usefulness remains limited beyond these specific contexts.
A professional interpreter for key meetings is not a luxury, it’s often a condition for success.
An Extreme Climate That Shapes Behaviors
The country has a very pronounced continental climate: long, harsh winters (down to –40°C on the steppe), dry and hot summers. In Astana, records range from about –51°C to over +40°C. This climatic harshness has shaped cultural traits often noted by researchers: endurance, adaptability, solidarity, and an instinctive wariness of risk.
For the expatriate, winter is not just a weather fact: it impacts life rhythms, transportation, sociability (more time at home or at others’ homes over tea), and even health (winter pollution, respiratory illnesses).
Fundamental Values: Collectivism, Hierarchy, and Hospitality
To truly understand cultural differences, one must grasp three pillars: the collective before the individual, respect for hierarchies, and an almost sacred hospitality.
The Collective First, the Individual Second
Kazakh culture is clearly collectivist. Decisions, whether familial or professional, seek consensus and the preservation of group harmony rather than the direct expression of individual interests.
In companies as in families, this translates to: the necessity to maintain open and effective communication.
– A strong expectation of loyalty towards the group (family, team, professional clan).
– An aversion to open conflict: diplomacy, back-channel discussions, or ambiguous phrasing are preferred over a direct “no.”
– Slow decision-making, consulting many stakeholders, often informally.
An expatriate used to very direct, results-oriented cultures must adapt to this tempo. Forcing a decision, issuing ultimatums, or “clashing” is generally counterproductive.
Hierarchy and Respect for Elders
The social structure is strongly hierarchical, based on age, status, and formal position within the organization. Younger people and subordinates are expected to show restraint, not interrupt, and avoid openly contradicting a superior in public.
The practical implications are numerous and must be taken into account.
– In meetings, address the most senior person first.
– Important decisions come from the top; operational-level discussion often has an advisory role.
– On public transport, give up your seat to the elderly.
– Titles and patronymics are important in formal greetings.
For an expatriate manager, this means that a very participatory ” horizontal ” model can be destabilizing: teams often expect clear instructions, validated by the hierarchy, rather than an immediate sharing of power.
A Hospitality Elevated to a Sacred Duty
In Kazakhstan, hospitality is not mere politeness, it’s a quasi-sacred principle. A guest is seen as a “messenger from God.” In the national imagination, a guest should never leave empty-handed, hence the custom of sarkyt: a packet of delicacies from the feast given upon departure. Refusing this packet is a serious affront.
Being invited to someone’s home is therefore a key moment in the relationship, social or professional:
– It is highly recommended to bring a small gift (sweets, chocolate, pastries, a souvenir from your country).
– Shoes are removed at the entrance, often to put on slippers provided by the family.
– Refusing tea, a dish, or leaving the table right after eating is frowned upon: one stays, chats, and drinks several rounds of tea.
– The head of the household and elders have priority for seating and being served.
This hospitality extends into the professional sphere: invitations to lunch, dinner, family visits, or weekends in the countryside are all settings where real trust is built… and sometimes where decisions are made.
Communication: Between Subtlety, Unspoken Words, and Outbursts
The Kazakh communication style blends nomadic, Soviet, and global influences. For an expatriate, it can seem paradoxical: both indirect to avoid conflict, and sometimes abrupt or loud in negotiations.
Verbal: Saying Without Always Saying
Interlocutors often avoid direct refusal, especially towards an elder, a superior, or a partner they wish to spare. You might therefore hear:
– Vague formulations rather than a clear “no.”
– Promises or agreements in principle that later see no follow-up.
– Euphemistic turns of phrase to express disagreement or a problem.
For the expatriate, this implies: adapting to a new culture, managing administrative aspects related to one’s status, and often learning a new language. One must also establish a social and professional network in the host country.
– Asking clarifying questions without aggression.
– Reformulating what was agreed and sending written summaries.
– Understanding that a lack of prompt response can amount to an implicit refusal.
In Russia, the communication style can vary. The Soviet legacy and certain professional circles like industry or administration often favor a more direct, even abrupt approach. It is essential to read the context, considering the industry sector, generation, region, and education level of your interlocutors.
Non-Verbal: Gestures, Distance, and Silences
Body language carries significant weight in local communication:
– Direct eye contact is expected, but staring insistently can be perceived as aggressive.
– Light touching between people of the same sex (pat on the shoulder, two-handed handshake, hug) is common among close acquaintances.
– Silence is not awkwardness but often a sign of reflection or respect.
Certain rules of etiquette are specific:
To show respect, it is customary to pass objects with the right hand (or both hands), as the left hand is associated with impure tasks. In a traditional interior like a yurt, one should avoid walking in front of a seated person, touching the central pole, sitting on the threshold, or throwing waste into the fire.
Greetings and Forms of Address
In modern urban settings, a firm handshake, often with two hands, accompanied by a smile, remains the norm between men. Between women, a handshake or cheek kiss among close friends is common. Between a man and a woman, it is prudent to let the woman decide: handshake, nod, or a simple smile.
Greetings can take different forms:
– Secular form: « Salemetsiz be? » or « Salemetsizder me? » (plural or more formal version).
– Islamic form: « Assalamu alaikum », response « Wa alaikum assalam ».
In a professional setting, it is common to address someone by first name followed by patronymic, or by professional title (director, professor) plus the last name. Switching to just the first name implies a more informal relationship.
Social Life: Guests, Meals, and Endless Tea
Social life often revolves around the table, whether for simple tea, a feast in a yurt, or a wedding banquet. For an expatriate, knowing a few customs around food and drink avoids many misunderstandings.
Meals: Abundance Without Pressure
During a meal, typical codes are as follows:
– The eldest or the guest of honor is served first and starts eating before others.
– The dish usually circulates from the center of the table; some foods are served by hand by the head of the household.
– Refusing to taste a dish can be perceived as disrespectful. It’s better to take a small portion.
– Leave a small amount of food on your plate to signal you are full; finishing everything is an invitation to be served more.
A crucial point for expatriates: horse meat is highly valued in Kazakh cuisine (in dishes like beshbarmak, sausages, or smoked neck fat). If you prefer not to consume it, it’s recommended to tactfully indicate this in advance.
Tea: A Social Ritual More Than a Drink
Tea is a true social glue. A few important codes:
– Tea is served in handleless bowls (pialas or kese), rarely filled to the brim. A cup filled to the brim can, conversely, signal that it’s time to take your leave.
– It is often a woman (hostess or young woman of the house) who serves and refills the tea.
– Systematically refusing tea is frowned upon. If you don’t want more, you can turn your bowl over or leave it full; but it’s better to accept at least a little to honor the invitation.
– Tea is frequently accompanied by milk or cream, dried dairy products (kurt, irimshik), baursaks (fried dough balls), and confectionery.
In some rural contexts, you may be offered traditional fermented beverages like kumys (mare’s milk) or shubat (camel’s milk). These drinks are often accompanied by specific rituals. Tasting them, at least symbolically, is considered a mark of respect towards the host.
Gifts: Small but Significant
Giving and receiving a gift is a powerful tool for building bonds, both in private and professional spheres. A few guidelines:
– When visiting someone’s home, bringing sweets, chocolate, a specialty from your country, or a small decorative item is good practice.
– In business, typical gifts are quality pens, illustrated books, corporate souvenirs, or chocolate gift boxes. Avoid gifts that are too expensive, as they could be seen as bribery.
– Certain objects are considered bad omens (e.g., clocks).
– Give the gift with both hands; it is often opened immediately, and the host will seek to reciprocate at a future meeting.
Finally, the sarkyt, that packet of carefully chosen leftovers given by the host to guests, is a symbol of generosity. Refusing it genuinely hurts the relationship.
Working in Kazakhstan: Hierarchy, Apparent Slowness, and Back-Channel Decisions
For an expatriate, the most sensitive differences often play out in the professional sphere. The country combines management practices inherited from the USSR, strongly marked family values, and an injection of Western methods, especially in the private sector and multinationals.
A Highly Assertive Hierarchy Culture
The structure of companies is generally pyramidal. Key decisions are made at the top, often by a single person (CEO, owner, senior official). Subordinates expect clear directives and rarely challenge authority in public.
For a foreign manager, you must:
– Quickly identify who really decides (it’s not always the person with the most impressive title on the business card).
– Avoid contradicting a local manager in front of their team: handling disagreements one-on-one is more effective.
– Understand that personal or tribal loyalties can sometimes outweigh official organizational charts.
Management styles vary: authoritarian in the civil service and large semi-state structures, paternalistic in family businesses, more participatory in international companies and start-ups.
Business Time: Patience Required
People often speak of a ” moderate time culture“: punctuality is improving, especially in large companies and globalized circles, but deadlines remain flexible. In practice:
The phase between initial contact and contract signing can last up to two years, especially with public entities.
Formal decisions can seem very slow, but much is decided beforehand, during informal meetings, dinners, visits, or corridor discussions. Academic works compare this process to the Japanese nemawashi: the ground is prepared discreetly, then the official meeting merely ratifies an already-formed consensus.
Meetings and Negotiations: Face-to-Face Above All
Business is rarely conducted by email alone. To make progress, face-to-face is king. Even over the phone, effectiveness remains limited until trust is built.
In meetings:
Meetings usually begin with informal ‘small talk’ about health, family, or current events before addressing the main topic. It is standard for refreshments (tea, coffee, water, cookies) to be offered. The seating arrangement often follows hierarchy, particularly on T-shaped tables where senior personnel occupy central positions.
In terms of negotiation, Kazakh interlocutors are described as: realistic, pragmatic, and respectful of traditions while adapting to modern changes and demands. They also prioritize building long-term trust and partnerships.
– Oriented towards long-term relationships rather than one-off “deals.”
– Tough in business, testing limits, not hesitating to raise their voice to defend a point—which is not necessarily a sign of personal hostility.
– Not fond of ultimatums: threatening to walk away or break off negotiations is generally poorly received and lacks credibility if the relationship has been built over time.
For the expatriate, the best stance is to remain firm on substance but flexible on form, avoiding displays of aggression or, conversely, obvious signs of weakness.
Business Cards, Dress Code, and Presentation Codes
In a professional context, appearances matter. Inhabitants of large cities place great importance on dress, sometimes even more so than expatriates.
In corporate, government, or financial circles, men wear a dark or discreet suit with a shirt and tie. Women opt for an elegant business suit, dress, or ensemble, often paired with heels, well-done makeup, and hairstyle in urban settings. In sectors like start-ups, tech, or some NGOs, ‘smart casual’ is increasingly accepted, but it’s advisable to start with more formal attire.
The business card is a must:
– Ideally bilingual (Russian/English, sometimes Kazakh).
– Take a moment to read it briefly before putting it away.
– Clearly displaying your position and level of responsibility helps clarify interlocutors.
Holidays and Their Impact on Business
The Kazakh calendar is rich in national and religious holidays that directly impact the availability of contacts, administrations, and banks. It is essential to consider these when planning trips, contract signings, and administrative follow-ups.
Here is a summary table of major holidays:
| Holiday | Usual Period | Impact for the Expatriate |
|---|---|---|
| New Year | Jan 1–2 | Country slows down, widespread closures |
| Orthodox Christmas | Jan 7 | Day off for part of the population |
| International Women’s Day | Mar 8 | Very popular holiday, official day off |
| Nauryz (Spring New Year) | Mar 21–23 | Major national holiday, long break |
| Day of Unity of the People | May 1 | Administration closures |
| Defender of the Fatherland Day | May 7 | Military ceremonies, day off |
| Victory Day (WWII) | May 9 | Parades, commemorations, little business activity |
| Capital City Day | Jul 6 | Major festivities in Astana |
| Constitution Day | Aug 30 | National holiday |
| Republic Day | Oct 25 | Patriotic celebrations |
| Independence Day | Dec 16–17 | Major holiday, often with extended breaks/bridges |
| Qurban Ait (Eid al-Adha) | Variable date (lunar) | Official religious holiday, reduced activity |
Authorities may move workdays to create long weekends. It is therefore prudent to check the practical calendar for each year with your local partners.
Daily Life: Society, Gender, Religion, Leisure
Beyond the office, the expatriate’s daily life is shaped by social norms sometimes far removed from what they know.
Gender Roles: Modernity and Traditions Mixed
Officially, gender equality is strongly emphasized: many women hold leadership positions, are entrepreneurs, or have political responsibility. Fighter pilots, chess champions, and award-winning actresses illustrate this visibility.
But traditional roles remain well-entrenched:
– In many households, women are still expected to handle cooking, cleaning, child-rearing, even if they work.
– A man who invests in these tasks may be viewed ambiguously.
– A woman smoking, drinking in public, or dressing in a very “masculine” way (baggy sweatshirts, heavy hiking boots) can draw judgment, especially outside major cities.
In dating, patterns are often classic: the man invites and pays the bill; the woman may be very well-groomed. Relationships are generally seen as serious rather than brief flings.
Religion: A Secular Society, But Not Indifferent
Kazakhstan is constitutionally a secular state, with freedom of conscience guaranteed. In practice, the vast majority of the population identifies as Sunni Muslim or Orthodox Christian, but daily practice is often limited to major rites of passage (birth, marriage, death) and major holidays like Qurban Ait or Orthodox Christmas.
For the expatriate, the implications are mostly practical:
– Most people do not strictly follow the five daily prayers, but Friday noon prayers and the Ramadan period can influence meeting or meal schedules.
– Alcohol consumption is widespread, even among some Muslims, although it is declining overall.
– Religious proselytism is strictly regulated and can lead to serious trouble. It’s better to avoid “converting” or insisting on your own beliefs.
In conversations, caution is advised on certain sensitive topics: criticism of the state, of the first president, regional geopolitical tensions, religion, or polarizing subjects like homosexuality. These are all potential minefields for a dinner among friends… and even more so for a business meeting.
Practical Life, Health, and Environment
Settling in Kazakhstan also requires getting familiar with some prosaic but important realities:
In major cities, bank cards are accepted, but have cash on hand for small shops. The healthcare system falls below Western standards except in the private sector; insurance with medical evacuation is advised. Be mindful of winter air pollution, especially in Almaty. City tap water is generally safe for brushing teeth, but prefer filtered or bottled water for drinking, especially in rural areas.
Finally, getting around also involves a learning curve:
– Official taxis and apps like Yandex, Uber, or local services are recommended; “gypsy cabs” exist but require negotiation and vigilance.
– Driving can be aggressive, rules poorly respected, especially in cities. In winter, ice and snow add to the mix.
– Long-distance trains and domestic flights (Air Astana, Fly Arystan, SCAT) are comfortable alternatives for intercity travel.
Cultural Preparation: Keys to Successful Integration
Faced with the scale of the differences, one might be tempted to retreat into an expatriate bubble. Yet, the expatriates who integrate best are those who invest in understanding the local culture and truly accept adapting to it.
Learn a Few Words… and Observe a Lot
Even if mastering Russian and Kazakh takes time, knowing a few basic phrases is extremely appreciated and facilitates relationship-building: greetings, thanks, polite phrases, numbers, everyday vocabulary.
But the most rewarding effort remains observation:
– Who speaks first in a meeting?
– How are seats arranged at the table?
– How do locals express disagreement without saying “no”?
– What topics do they bring up spontaneously, which do they avoid?
This back-and-forth between observation and questions cautiously asked to trusted colleagues allows for gradually decoding behaviors that, at first, seem contradictory.
Accept a Different Pace
Expatriates from cultures heavily oriented towards “time is money” may be frustrated by the apparent slowness of procedures, flexible deadlines, or appointments never confirmed. However, much of this temporality stems from the priority given to relationships, group consultation, and avoiding abrupt ruptures.
In practice, this means you must:
– Plan wider time margins for each project stage.
– Multiply informal contact points (tea, lunches, visits) to follow up on files.
– Avoid imposing reporting standards and deadlines without adapting them to local realities.
Play the Card of Humble Curiosity
Finally, someone who arrives with the idea of importing best practices or “correcting” the local culture will quickly close doors. Conversely, an attitude of humble curiosity—explaining one’s own codes, asking about the other’s, acknowledging misunderstandings—is widely appreciated.
The nomadic heritage values welcoming strangers and learning about their culture, but within a framework of reciprocity. To fully benefit from it (being guided, protected, and invited), it is essential to make a sincere effort to be open and adapt to the local culture.
—
So, relocating to Kazakhstan is not just about facing formidable winters and learning to pronounce patronymics ending in -ouly or -ova. It’s about entering a value system where one is not defined first as an isolated individual, but as a member of a network of families, clans, teams, and colleagues.
For the foreigner, the reward of such learning is considerable: behind the formalities, hierarchy, and unspoken words, one discovers a society of great warmth, where you are treated as an honored guest once you accept to play the game of trust, long-term commitment, and mutual respect. For those who know how to prepare, this cultural difference becomes less a difficulty than a rare wealth.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
