Business Culture and Etiquette in Mexico
BUSINESS CULTURE
AND ETIQUETTE
IN MEXICO
BUSINESS ETIQUETTE IN MEXICO
1. Greetings
2. Names and Titles
3. Business Meetings
4. Conversation Topics
5. Negotiation
6. Business Entertaining
7. Gift giving
8. Practical Advice
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
GREETINGS
The usual form of greeting is shaking hands. A man should wait for a woman to hold out her hand first.
Men, who already know each other, usually embrace each other. The usual form of an embrace is as follows: first they shake hands, then they embrace each other and, finally, they shake hands again.
When they greet a woman that they know, they kiss her on her cheek.
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
NAMES AND TITLES
In introductions, Señor (Mr) or Señora (Mr) is followed by the surname. If the person has a university qualification, Señor or Señora is replaced by the qualification (Doctor, Architect,
Engineer, etc.).
First names are only used when there is a close relationship. It is better to wait for them to address you with your first name.
University qualifications are important. In meetings it is normal to address people using only these titles.
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
BUSINESS MEETINGS
The best times for business meetings are breakfast or lunch, the main meal of the day. Business breakfast are usually held at a guest´s hotel and start at 8:00 am. or even earlier.
The meeting begins with small talk before proceeding to the real business. During the course of the meeting, as well as discussing professional matters, they also make personal comments.
Mexicans are ostensibly polite and friendly in both personal and professional contexts. Therefore they avoid giving a straight
“no”. Although they may think that the proposal is not right, they will say that the product is good and has potential in such a huge market. They do not like to upset the foreign visitor.
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
CONVERSATION TOPICS
AND ETIQUETTE
IN MEXICO
BUSINESS ETIQUETTE IN MEXICO
1. Greetings
2. Names and Titles
3. Business Meetings
4. Conversation Topics
5. Negotiation
6. Business Entertaining
7. Gift giving
8. Practical Advice
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
GREETINGS
The usual form of greeting is shaking hands. A man should wait for a woman to hold out her hand first.
Men, who already know each other, usually embrace each other. The usual form of an embrace is as follows: first they shake hands, then they embrace each other and, finally, they shake hands again.
When they greet a woman that they know, they kiss her on her cheek.
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
NAMES AND TITLES
In introductions, Señor (Mr) or Señora (Mr) is followed by the surname. If the person has a university qualification, Señor or Señora is replaced by the qualification (Doctor, Architect,
Engineer, etc.).
First names are only used when there is a close relationship. It is better to wait for them to address you with your first name.
University qualifications are important. In meetings it is normal to address people using only these titles.
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
BUSINESS MEETINGS
The best times for business meetings are breakfast or lunch, the main meal of the day. Business breakfast are usually held at a guest´s hotel and start at 8:00 am. or even earlier.
The meeting begins with small talk before proceeding to the real business. During the course of the meeting, as well as discussing professional matters, they also make personal comments.
Mexicans are ostensibly polite and friendly in both personal and professional contexts. Therefore they avoid giving a straight
“no”. Although they may think that the proposal is not right, they will say that the product is good and has potential in such a huge market. They do not like to upset the foreign visitor.
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
CONVERSATION TOPICS