Peru Business Etiquette

 

Dress Code

  • Formal, well-tailored suits are standard attire for business meetings. Business casual styles are not considered appropriate attire in Peru.
  • Women should wear suits or dresses 
  • Invitations to official parties normally require tuxedoes and cocktail dresses or evening gowns.
  • Tennis shoes and shorts are reserved for the beach and the gym

Conversation

  • Positive topics include:
    • Peruvian contact's family
    • Your own family
    • Sights you've seen in Peru
    • Restaurants in the particular area you are visiting
  • Topics to Avoid
    • inquiring about a person's ancestry [especially if it is Indian]
    • the Peruvian government
    • politics in general

Meetings

  • Arrive on time for your meeting even if you may be kept waiting for 15 to 30 minutes longer.
  • Appointments should be made at least two weeks in advance.
  • Appointments should be scheduled in the morning and sometimes involve a lunch invitation, so do not plan more than one meeting each morning.
  • The working week in Peru is six days a week. Business hours generally run from around 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. Peoplemay go home for lunch, so offices sometimes close between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.
  • Government offices and banks work different hours in the summer [January to March] and winter [April to December].
  • Many Peruvians go on vacation between January and March, and two weeks before and after Christmas and Easter. Avoid scheduling major appointments at those times.
  • Ensure that you have your business card printed in Spanish, since making this effort will please your Peruvian contacts. If you hold a title such as "Doctor", "Engineer" or "Professor", it should also be displayed on your business card.
  • Have your business cards and all supporting materials printed in both Spanish and English.
  • Avoid switching your company's representatives during the negotiating process
  • Be aware that you probably will be in a higher altitude than normal when you are in Peru, so give yourself some time to get used to it.

Gifts

  • Wine
  • name brand pens/quality pen sets
  • Desk accessories
  • Something with a significant connection to your home region [i.e., native folk art or an illustrated book]
  • Ties, scarves, or other accessories in natural fabrics  

Gifts to Avoid

  • 13 of anything
  • Purple or black objects [which have connotations of religious ceremonies]
  • Handkerchiefs [which are equated with mourning]
  • Knives [which can signify cutting off a relationship]
  • Letter openers or any item with a sharp edge [these items are associated with severing ties]

Successful Business Entertaining

  • Staying at one of the finer international hotels in Peru will help you create a good impression as a visitor.
  • Lunch is the largest meal of the day and is eaten around 12:30 p.m. This meal will consist of several courses, beginning with soup and ending with fruit for dessert.
  • An invitation to tea at a private residence is usually for 6:00 to 8:00 p.m where you will be served a light snack.
  • If you are hosting, choose a prestigious restaurant and include spouses in the invitations if the event is a dinner.
  • When you are inviting for dinner, be sure to suggest that you meet around 9:00 p.m., which is the typical dinner hour in Peru.
  • Most dinner invitations will be for 9:00 p.m., which means dinner will probably be served around 10:30 p.m. Arrive around thirty minutes late, and stay about thirty minutes after the meal ends.
  • Itis a rare honour to get invited to a Peruvian home. Be sure to arrive later than the time of the invitation. If you arrive early or on time, it may embarrass your host, who may not be prepared to receive you.
  • When invited to a Peruvian home, you should bring a gift. Your host's spouse might appreciate receiving quality chocolates from your country. If your host has children, you can take along a gift from your favourite sports team or bring toys that children in your own country would like to receive.
  • In any formal function, you will find that the host will be seated at the head of the table. If a hostess is present, she will sit opposite the host. The most senior female guest will be seated to the immediate right of the host, although the most senior male will be seated to the immediate left of the hostess.
  • As a general rule, business is not discussed during dinner.
  • When you are attending business luncheons or dinners, you will probably be offered an alcoholic beverage. If a toast is made during this occasion, be sure to reciprocate by proposing one in return. Simply lift your glass and say "Salud!"
  • The "continental" style of dining is a must: the knife stays in the right hand and the fork remains positioned in the left. These utensils are never switched.
  • In this culture, you are encouraged to eat all of the food that has been served to you, rather than leaving some of it on your plate.
  • Beer is the most common alcoholic beverage in Peru. Be aware that Peruvian beer tends to be rather strong.
  • In this country, imported alcohol is very expensive.
  • A very common nonalcoholic beverage that you will be offered is lemonade

Public Conduct

  • Men and women shake hands both upon greeting and departure.
  • Once a friendship has been established, men frequently greet each other with a hug, and women may kiss one another on the cheek. When you are greeted with more than a handshake, this is a sign that you have been accepted by these people.
  • Peruvians communicate in close proximity. When they stand nearby, do not back away, as you will offend them.
  • When eating out, it is proper form to rest both hands on the table.
  • Crossing your legs by resting the ankle of one leg on the knee of the other is considered inappropriate. Instead, you may cross your legs at the knee.

Tipping:

  • Most restaurant and bar bills include a 10% gratuity. It's customary to add an extra 10% if the service has been satisfactory.
  • Taxis do not expect tips. Fares are negotiated prior to initiating the trip.
  • Hotel porters and bell boys expect a tip of $ 1 per bag

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