Visiting other countries for business can be difficult sometimes. Being immersed into a new culture is difficult and mistakes are often made. Over the last few decades, Latin America has become a hub for businesses, while also being known for its cultural differences from the U.S. The following advice when doing business in Latin America is crucial to your success.
When visiting Latin America, and picking up on some local Spanish, you may pick up some slang words. In some countries it is common for slang to be used very casually in conversation and is involved in many verbal discussions. However, never use slang in a business meeting. It shows an uneducated level of Spanish that is not appropriate in a professional setting.
When discussing ideas with coworkers, it is crucial to never say that someone’s ideas are “dumb” or “stupid”. In Latin America, your ideas are an extension of your person, so if you say that someone’s idea is “dumb”, it may be taken as “you are dumb”.
When greeting Latin Americans, you may be surprised by how they say hello. A kiss on the cheek is the most common form of this greeting. The idea of personal space is not seen as being as important in Latin America as it is in the US.
If you get invited to a dinner, don’t be surprised to find that you are the first person there. Latin Americans are known for their tardiness, since punctuality is more relaxed than in the U.S, and meals are often eaten late. When at a meal, however, it is important to not discuss business too much. Business in Latin America is based mainly on relationships and trust, so it is important to make friends with your co-workers. Try talking about less controversial topics such as sports for example. As seen in the World Cup, Latin America is no stranger to the love of soccer.
Now that you know some of the basic do’s and don’ts of the Latin American business world, do you have any questions? Feel free to leave your questions in the comments below, and we’ll be happy to answer them!
