Business Dining Etiquette in Jamaica
If you're planning on doing business with Jamaican professionals, learning the etiquette of dining when engaging in negotiations is essential. Making a good impression involves knowing when to talk business--and when to enjoy the company of your host(s).
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Business Culture
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The business culture in Jamaica is more formal and conservative than in the U.S. This means that time spent in the office will be structured, and meal times, even with business partners, can be more casual. It's best for men to wear a suit and tie to business meetings--women should wear business suits when meeting with Jamaican professionals. When meeting outside of the office, you should wear appropriate casual clothing, but not provocative or suggestive clothing, as well as clothes that look unkempt (i.e. wrinkled, ripped).
After Business Meetings
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Jamaicans love to properly entertain their guests; when business associates from other countries are in Jamaica, it is customary for Jamaicans to treat a guest to lunch or dinner. Proper etiquette suggests the guest should offer to pay for the meal once as a gracious gesture. However, it's not appropriate to be too insistent in paying, especially if there are a number of colleagues at the meal, as this can be offensive.
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Eating and Drinking
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While it is acceptable to order an alcoholic beverage during evening meals with Jamaican business associates, it is best not to do so during lunch hours, unless other colleagues at the table have done so. No matter the time of the meal, using discretion when drinking is extremely important; drinking too much will cause any professional to be seen in a bad light and may negatively effect the closing of a potential business deal.
Jamaican Cuisine
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When dining with businesspeople who are native to Jamaica, being willing to try Jamaican cuisine can help to improve professional relationships, as is shows respect for the culture and displays open-mindedness. If the Jamaican host does not offer to take the team of professionals to lunch or dinner, international businesspeople should still ask to be directed to the best Jamaican restaurants in town, as this will still make a good impression.
Dining Conversation
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When dining with professionals in Jamaica, it is bad etiquette to bring up professional matters at the lunch or dinner table. It's best to wait until the Jamaican host has started a conversation that has to do with the business deal at hand, and this may not occur at a meal. Jamaican professionals are completely focused on work-related matters when in the office, but meal times are usually spent engaging in small talk--although there may be periods of silence when everyone at the table is eating. Expressing satisfaction in the food, however, will also help to improve business relations.
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References
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