Bolivia Business Etiquette

Men wear suits and ties when conducting business.
Do not take off your jacket or tie until your counterpart has done so.
Wear light fabrics and colors in Santa Cruz during the summer as the humidity can be stifling. In La Paz people tend to wear dark-colored suits in heavier fabrics.
Women should wear skirts down to the knee and a crisp shirt and jacket.
A woman who dresses impeccably and very professionally will be taken more seriously.

You should begin with a firm handshake when first introduced. Eye contact and a smile are both important.
Begin your greeting with "Buenos días" (good day) or "Buenas tardes" (good afternoon) or "Buenas noches" (good evening).
Allow your host to introduce his/her staff before you introduce yours is good business etiquette
It is not good social or business etiquette to address a person by their first name until they have done so with you first.

Bolivians tend to be formal in their business dealings.
Shake hands when meeting and leaving.
Wait for a woman to extend her hand.
Eye contact is important.
Business cards are exchanged during the initial introductions.
Try and have one side of your business card translated into Spanish.
Make sure to include any academic qualifications on your card.
Wait for the other party to move the conversation on to business.
Meetings are generally relaxed affairs but there is always a sense of formality that should be followed.
Time is not considered more important than completing a meeting satisfactorily, therefore meetings will continue until the discussion is completed.
Most business is conducted in Spanish so try and arrange for your own interpreter.
Similarly have any materials translated into Spanish.
Do not rush meetings or show impatience.

Personal relationships are vital.
Since face-to-face interaction is so important when doing business here, you should plan on holding several meetings on an issue before coming to agreements or entering into a contract.
Do not rely on verbal contracts. Nothing is final until a contract is signed.

Gifts are usually given at birthdays, Christmas and New Year.
The general rule is by good quality but price is not too important.
Flowers, spirits, pastries, sweets/chocolates if invited to a house
Do not give yellow or purple flowers as they have negative connotations.
Do not give scissors or knives as they indicate a desire to sever the relationship
Gifts are not generally opened when received.

It is not good form to discuss business at social functions -concentrate of getting to know people on a personal level.
At a table the guest is served first.
The host generally says "buen provecho" ("enjoy" or "have a good meal") to invite guests to eat.
Keep elbows off the table.
Always use utensils - even fruit is eaten with a knife and fork.
Wait for a toast to be made before taking the first sip of your drink.
The host makes the first toast.
The most common toast is "Salud!"
When you lift your glass, look at the person being toasted.
Never leave straight after a meal - you should stay for at least half an hour.

People will stand very closely to you and if you back away will think you are being rude.
Be aware of the social and cultural backgrounds of the people you are with. There are large Japanese, Lebanese, German and other groups in Bolivia, many of whom continue to uphold the traditions of their ancestors, so learn about the people you will be spending time with and research their social etiquette as well.
When greeting, it is customary to shake hands with your right hand. In social situations, when you are introduced to someone ,you are also expected to lean to your left as you clasp their hand and kiss them on the cheek. Women kiss women and men kiss women, but men do not kiss men.
If a woman enters the room, stand up and don't sit down again until she does. It is customary for men to offer their seats to women

Tipping is generally not a part of Bolivian culture and won't be expected except perhaps at the highest rated restaurants.

Content by www.MercaTrade.com

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