Greeting

A common form of greeting in business practice in Peru is the handshake, which both men and women shake in formal situations. Handshakes are also exchanged when saying goodbye.

It is important to say hello to each person if you are meeting with a group of people. Everyone sitting at the table where the meeting is taking place, or who is in the room, should be greeted or said goodbye in person. You should not limit yourself to a general greeting or goodbye to the group.

It is interesting that in Peru, the handshake can be very different. If your partner is from Europe and lives in a big city, the handshake will be firm but also quite warm. People from provincial areas tend to prefer a short and light handshake.

The eye contact is important during the greeting.

While the greeting in the initial contact looks generally quite formal, the later encounters are more emotional and warm. Male partners may greet each other by touching the shoulder or exchanging a light hug, women by kissing (cheek to cheek on the right side without touching the face). Kisses between men and women must be initiated by the latter.

Typical phrases with which Peruvians greet each other are: "Buenos días" ("Good morning"), "Buenas tardes" (Good afternoon") and "Buenas noches" ("Good evening").

Introduction

In first contacts in formal, formal and even social situations, use the formal forms of address - Señor/Señora/Señorita, followed by the person's last name.

In formal situations, use the professional qualifications or position of the partner, if available. The most common are Doctor (Doctor), Abogado (Lawyer), Ingeniero (Engineer), Profesor (Teacher).

In the beginning of the business relationship, Peruvians tend to address the foreign partner using his last name rather than first and expect the same in return. In doing so, be sure to mention the person's appropriate formal title or rank, if they have one.

If you do not know your partner's professional title or rank (or simply do not have one), use polite forms of address, namely: 'Señor' (Mr) for men and 'Señora' (Ms) or Señorita (Miss) for women, followed by the last name of the person.

The Peruvian last names have a Spanish tradition. The surname itself consists of two parts: after the first name comes the paternal surname and then the maternal surname of the father. For example: Arturo Beeche Santiago. It is sufficient to use the first of these surnames, in this case Señor Beeche.

After getting married, women often add the last name of their husband to their own, using the prefix de: Maria Martinez Diaz, if she married Arturo Beeche Santiago, becomes Maria Martinez Diaz de Beeche. You should refer to her as Señora Beeche.

In terms of the use of names and titles/titles, follow the example of your Peruvian colleagues. Be formalistic at the beginning of the business relationship. Wait for the initiative of a Peruvian colleague who will suggest that you switch to the first name.

Wait for the initiative of a Peruvian colleague who will suggest you switch to the first name.

Exchange of Business Cards

In business practice in Peru, it is customary to exchange business cards both during introductions in the first meeting and during meetings such as an exhibition, trade fair, conference or a forum. Therefore, it is important to have enough business cards.

Business cards are exchanged right after the greeting.

In the business card, be sure to indicate not only the title, but also other qualifications or academic distinctions, if any.

The text of the business card, at least on one side, should be in Spanish.

There is no special ritual when passing on a business card in Peruvian business practice. However, when accepting another person's business card, pay attention to what is written on it. A positive comment or compliment about the company or person is helpful.

Small Talk: Overview

Even if you don't speak Spanish very well, try to communicate at least a little in Spanish in non-business situations. This will be appreciated by the Peruvian side.

Don't be surprised if in small talk, your potential Peruvian partner asks you personal questions, such as about your family and your life, to get a feeling for you as a possible business partner. They should be treated with special respect.

Prepare to accept invitations to participate in social events (such as sports). It is at such events that it is easier to get to know each other and begin to build closer relationships.

You should consider how you look before you meet your Peruvian colleague. It is important to look presentable, i.e., dress, hair, and makeup (for women) should be appropriate to the event and the setting.

It is important to look presentable.

Preferred Topics

Peruvian cuisine. Take an interest in this topic. For many in Peru, food and cuisine in general are a source of pride.

Sports and, in particular, soccer.

Family and everything somehow related to home and family relations.

History and culture of Peru. Its sights, nature, famous places.

Positive impressions of Peru, particular areas or cities of the country.

Requests for recommendations of sights or restaurants to visit will be well received.

International news of a non-controversial nature.

Taboo Topics

Controversial topics of a political nature, such as the Second Pacific War, relations between Peru and Chile or Ecuador, various ethnic issues, corruption are taboo topics.

Do not be too frank and straightforward about the domestic politics of Peru. They can be quite painful for your partner.

When talking about the United States of America, do not call that country America and its citizens Americans, because people in the Central and South American states also consider and call themselves Americans. It is better to use the words "US Americans"or People from the United States.

Avoid praising Peru's neighbors, such as Chile. In Peruvian society, they are often perceived as rivals, for example, in matters of trade.

Personal Space

It should be kept in mind that the distance of comfortable communication in Peruvian society is shorter than in other cultures. During conversations, they stand quite close to each other. This is part of the warm, personal style of communication in Peru.

If you stand quite far away from your conversation partner during a conversation (which may be common in your culture), it may be perceived as aloof and uninterested in the person you are talking to.

Body language and gestures are an important part of communication. Peruvians gesture vigorously, often touching each other, such as patting each other on the shoulder or arm, hugging or lightly squeezing shoulders, to show their friendliness and affection.

Having direct, constant eye contact during conversation, it should not be very long. Eye contact with the woman should be even more moderate.

You should not copy Peruvian behavior in conversation. Body language, in general, is a rather complex area that only members of the culture they speak (or rather feel) well.

Don't copy Peruvian behavior.

Communication Specifics

A significant characteristic of communication in Peruvian society is the creation of a relationship of trust and mutual understanding. This can take a long time.

In Peruvian society, it is not common to be straightforward and overly frank when communicating. Peruvians prefer to be careful and friendly so as not to cause a conflict or cause the other person to "lose face".

It is common in communication not to use a straight "No". Instead, it is better to say: "I need to think about it", or even just say nothing, which is socially sanctioned as an affirmation of rejection or disagreement.

It is important to be respectful and be as respectful as possible, while still adhering to protocol, when dealing with people in different positions.

A certain amount of formality should be present in initial communication with a Peruvian colleague in the beginning of a business relationship. This manifests itself in the use of both polite forms of addressing the person and neutral language means.

In general, Peruvians are characterized by a warm and friendly manner of communication. You will make a good impression on a potential partner if you show yourself to be sincere and interested.

In Peruvian society, eloquence is valued. Your fellow Peruvians can be quite talkative. In doing so, they make extensive use of body language and body gestures. Conversation is often emotional and loud. Pauses of silence are usually rare.