Paraguay Business Etiquette

Paraguayans dress conservatively.
Hair, nails, makeup and dress are all important, regardless of a person's economic status. Even the poorest people are well groomed and clean.
Men should wear dark suits and ties for initial meetings. Follow your Paraguayan counterparts' lead in dressing after the first visit.
Women should wear suits and dresses.

Visitors are expected to be punctual for business meetings. Business appointments often begin 10 to 20 minutes late.
Negotiating and decision making will probably proceed slowly. Be patient.
Send the same company representative to negotiate deals. A new person will need to start from the beginning again

Give high quality gifts.
Gifts from your country and home region will be appreciated.
Give your hostess flowers and chocolates. Sweets (cookies and candies) from Argentina are prized by Paraguayans.
For business, give pens and gifts from your home region.

An 8:00 p.m. social engagement could begin at 9:00 or 9:30 p.m.
Dinner is usually served around 10:00 p.m. and never earlier than 9:00 p.m.
Lunch is the main meal of the day. Businesspeople and schoolchildren go home at noon to have lunch with their family.
Guests are served full plates of food. Show that you enjoy your food. Eat dinner and accept seconds, which will probably be pressed upon you. Not finishing all the food offered is a compliment to your host.
When dining continental style, it is customary to hold your fork constantly in your left hand.
Paraguayans share. They buy rounds of drink and offer food to all.
Dinner is a social event. Do not talk business unless your host initiates it.

Men and women always shake hands when greeting, even if they have met earlier in the day.
Paraguayans kiss twice when meeting friends and family members.

10% should be left for the waiters. Small change should be given to porters and taxi drivers.

Content by www.MercaTrade.com

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