How to Practice Business Etiquette in Guatemala

This Central American country has its own customs and traditions when it comes to doing business. Make sure you take those into concideration while conducting business there. Here are some tips to help you along the way.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Consider enlisting the services of an interpreter if no one in your group speaks fluent Spanish, the official language. Many businesspeople speak English, but Spanish will be necessary in dealing with the government. To avoid offending, check with your Guatemalan business associates before bringing an interpreter to a business meeting.

2. Wear a lightweight suit for men, a dress or skirt and blouse for women. It is illegal to wear military clothing or even bring it into the country.

3. Arrive on time for meetings. Unlike many of their Latin American neighbors, Guatemalan business people are very punctual and will expect the same from you.

4. Greet with a handshake, and it may please your host if you include a greeting of "mucho gusto," a proper salute.

5. Make small talk before doing business, and keep to safe subjects, such as Guatemalan history, geography or culture. Speaking softly is considered polite.

6. Use professional titles, such as "Doctor," "Professor," "Ingeniero" (engineer) or "Abogado" (lawyer), whenever appropriate. In the absence of a professional title, always use Mr., Mrs. or Miss, or Spanish equivalents Senor, Senora or Senorita, when addressing associates.

Tips & Warnings

• Use hand gestures sparingly, preferably not at all, to avoid inadvertently offending anybody. Many hand gestures have meanings you may not know (or want to convey), and things such as using the "OK" symbol with thumb and forefinger are considered obscene.

• Gifts can be given but are generally not necessary on the first visit. It is a good idea to choose unbreakable gifts; Guatemala experiences frequent earthquakes and even some volcanoes.

• Keep in mind that you are likely to do business over breakfast or lunch but not often dinner. Lunch is considered the main meal of the day.

• Do not give white flowers as a gift. White signifies death, and white flowers are for funerals.