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Cultural Etiquette |
Mexico |
The People
Mexico is a very class-conscious society where social
stratifications are well-defined. Upper class Mexicans will not
dirty their hands with tasks they find beneath them. A sense of
fatalism is quite strong among many Mexicans, who feel that their
path through life is largely preordained. Macho attitudes are
inculcated in Mexican males almost from birth, and machismo plays a
pervasive role in shaping Mexican culture.
Meeting and Greeting
- Shake hands or give a slight bow when introduced.
- Bow when greeting a Mexican woman. Shake hands only if she
extends her hand first.
Body Language
- Mexicans generally stand close together when conversing. Don't
show signs of discomfort, which would be considered rude by your
Mexican counterpart.
- Mexicans often "hold" a gesture (a handshake, a squeeze of the
arm, a hug) longer than Americans and Canadians do.
- Don't stand with your hands on your hips; this signifies
anger. It is considered rude to stand around with your hands in
your pockets.
Corporate Culture
- Punctuality is expected of foreign businesspeople. Your
Mexican counterpart may be late or keep you waiting. Thirty
minutes past the scheduled meeting time is considered punctual by
Mexicans.
- Spanish is the language of business. You may need to hire an
interpreter (preferably a native speaker who understands the
language as it is spoken in Mexico).
- Meet with top executives first. Top-level Mexican executives
may not attend subsequent meetings, which often take place with
middle-level management and technical people. Don't feel insulted;
this shows that discussions are proceeding positively.
- Negotiations move slowly. Be patient. For Mexicans, the
building of a personal relationship comes before the building of a
professional one.
- Expect approximately ten to fifteen minutes of small talk
before getting down to business.
- If offered something to drink (usually coffee), don't refuse.
This would be seen as an insult.
- Take some time for consideration before agreeing to anything.
Quick decisiveness is often seen as hasty.
- A promise does not mean that your request will be carried out.
You should always ask for written confirmation of any agreement or
commitment.
- Management or other important people may sometimes make
unreasonable or overly aggressive demands to demonstrate their
importance within or to their own group. Be aware of such hidden
agendas.
- Personalize everything. Explain how all proposals will benefit
a Mexican's country, community, family and, most important, the
Mexican personally.
- Deal-making almost never occurs over the phone (and rarely by
letter). Mexicans prefer to do business in person.
- Your local contact person or representative is very important
and should be chosen very carefully. A low-level representative
will be taken as an affront by status-conscious Mexicans, who will
assume that you are not really serious.
- The status of your hotel accommodations, the quality of your
clothes and watch, and whether or not you arrive in a chauffeured
limousine or in a taxi, etc. will be critically appraised by your
Mexican counterparts.
- Be persistent! Don't give up if you don't receive a response
to your phone calls or letters right away or if your meetings are
continually postponed or canceled. If you give up, your Mexican
counterparts might assume that you weren't serious in the first
place.
Dining and Entertainment
- Business entertainment is very important and it is during
these events that personal relationships should be developed.
- Always keep both hands above the table.
- Don't leave the table immediately after you are finished
eating.
- Drinking to excess is frowned upon in Mexico, especially when
it's done by women. Customarily, only men propose toasts; foreign
women normally shouldn't offer toasts.
- Don’t show up on time for a social engagement -- you will be
the only one who does, and will most likely be waiting for a very
long time (possibly hours).
- To reciprocate, invite your Mexican counterparts to dinner at
a nice restaurant (French or Italian are your best bets). Pay in
advance to avoid arguments about the bill.
- Businesspeople are often invited to visit the home of their
Mexican counterparts. On your first visit to a Mexican home, it is
best to wear business attire unless specifically told otherwise.
Dress
- Men should always wear a shirt and tie, except at casual
affairs. Both men and women should dress conservatively.
Recommended colors are navy and dark gray.
- Women should always wear make-up.
Gifts
- While gift giving is not always a necessity when doing
business in Mexico, gifts are much appreciated. Suggested initial
gifts include non-personal items with your corporate logo.
- Flowers should always be given when visiting a Mexican home.
It's OK to have them sent beforehand, or to bring them with you.
If you have them sent, make sure that they arrive before you do.
Helpful Hints
- Any attempt to speak Spanish is appreciated by your Mexican
counterparts and is seen as a gesture of goodwill. Demonstrating
knowledge and appreciation of Mexican culture wins friends.
- Mexicans are very proud of their independence and have a very
strong sense of national identity and pride. Never compare the way
things are done in Mexico with the way they are done in the United
States.
- Deadlines are often little more than (very) general target
dates.
- Note differences in class and status in Mexico, for such
differences are important.
- Little things count. Not saying good-bye, for example, may
well offend and adversely affect your relationship to a much
greater extent than it would in the United States.
Especially for Women
- Women should prepare for some difficulty when doing business
in Mexico. Because some Mexican businessmen you encounter may not
have had many dealings with women in positions of authority, you
should demonstrate your competence, skill and authority.
- Talk and behavior considered sexist and inappropriate in the
United States may well have to be endured in Mexico.
- Mexican men, business colleagues included, will pay foreign
businesswomen many compliments and may even be flirtatious.
Graciously accept such banter -- it is usually done with the
utmost respect -- while firmly reminding your male Mexican
counterparts that you are a businesswoman.
- Foreign businesswomen should not invite Mexican businessmen to
dinner unless their spouses also come along. If invited out to
dinner or to socialize by a male Mexican colleague, a
businesswoman should make it clear that no opportunity for romance
exists. Appearances are important.
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Adapted from material compiled by Window on
the World, a cross-cultural training and consulting firm. Originally
based on material contained in the "Put Your Best Foot Forward" series
of books by
Mary Murray Bosrock . |
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