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| Cultural
Information |
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Mexico
is a land of variety in geography, history and its people.
With over 98 million people, 25% live in Mexico City
making it one of the largest, if not the largest city
in the world. Less than 30% of the population live in
the rural regions. Approximately 60 % of the people
are of mixed Spanish and Indian descent and they are
called mestizo. 30% are Amerindians; mainly Mayan or
Aztec descent.
Most of the population has access to basic health care,
education and a basic standard of living. However, access
to these services and opportunities to follow your chosen
career path varies between regions and ethnicity.
People on the whole are relaxed about schedules and
time, giving such demands lower priority to individual
needs and relationships. This characteristic has started
to change in the urban areas possibly due to the demands
of modern life, although it is still prominent within
the rural areas. As with other cultures, friendship,
honesty, humour and hard working individuals are all
respected within the society. Personal honour and the
honour of the family name are regarded very high. Furthermore,
the machismo ideal of a strong, virile, forceful, courageous
and masculine man is still quite prevalent with-in the
society. - Businesstravelogue.com |
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| Etiquette |
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Mexico
is a very class-conscious society where social stratifications
are well-defined. Upper class Mexicans will not dirty
their hands with tasks they find beneath them. A sense
of fatalism is quite strong among many Mexicans, who
feel that their path through life is largely preordained.
Macho attitudes are inculcated in Mexican males almost
from birth, and machismo plays a pervasive role in shaping
Mexican culture. |
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| Body
Language |
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Mexicans
generally stand close together when conversing. Don't
show signs of discomfort, which would be considered rude
by your Mexican counterpart.
Mexicans often "hold" a gesture (a handshake,
a squeeze of the arm, a hug) longer than Americans and
Canadians do.
Don't stand with your hands on your hips; this signifies
anger. It is considered rude to stand around with your
hands in your pockets. |
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| Gifts |
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While
gift giving is not always a necessity when doing business
in Mexico, gifts are much appreciated. Suggested initial
gifts include non-personal items with your corporate logo.
Flowers should always be given when visiting a Mexican
home. It's OK to have them sent beforehand, or to bring
them with you. If you have them sent, make sure that they
arrive before you do. |
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| Helpful
Hints |
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Any attempt to speak Spanish is appreciated by your Mexican
counterparts and is seen as a gesture of goodwill. Demonstrating
knowledge and appreciation of Mexican culture wins friends.
Mexicans are very proud of their independence and have
a very strong sense of national identity and pride. Never
compare the way things are done in Mexico with the way
they are done in the United States.
Deadlines are often little more than (very) general target
dates.
Note differences in class and status in Mexico, for such
differences are important.
Little things count. Not saying good-bye, for example,
may offend and adversely affect your relationship to a
much greater extent than it would in the United States.
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| Negotiating
or "Getting to Yes?" |
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For
the Mexican, it is always pleasure before business. Developing
a personal relationship is extremely important before
jumping right in to the reason for the meeting. You will
find the atmosphere easy-going and relaxed. If the meeting
is at the office of your Mexican associate, he will be
a gracious host. The person comes before status and rank.
Dignity and preservation of the appearance of integrity
is vital. Pulling rank or using caustic or critical comments
about or to a person in the room is guaranteed to put
a chill on proceedings.
Getting to yes often involves a number of smaller agreements.
However, when your Mexican associate isn't in agreement,
he will avoid saying "no" thus avoiding the
risk of displeasure and disagreement. Rather, he will
say "maybe" or any other equivocating phrase.
Get agreements in writing. An agreement made out of politeness
will later be reversed.
"Dar largas" or "beating around the bush"
is a way of deferring a "yes" that is not committed
to. Learn to distinguish between a real yes and a polite
yes. |
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| Business
Entertaining and Meals |
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Mexico, because personal relationships are so important,
many business transactions occur during meals. The best
times are breakfast (desayuno), or lunch (comida - the
main meal of the day, usually between 2:00 and 4:00 pm).
Breakfast is the preferred event, often in an medium to
expensive place. The purpose is to get to know each other
in a more intimate and informal setting, as well as exchange
information and do business. |
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The
person inviting, or the person selling usually pays
the bill. It s not split.
On occasion you may be invited to your Mexican associate's
home for "cena", the evening meal. This meal
will be eaten between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm. Business
is not discussed here. Your host is showing his respect
and interest in you by inviting you to his home. Do
not insult him and his family by bringing business in
the door with you. Business is only concluded between
friends. This is his way of helping along the business
you have between you.
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| Time,
Punctuality, and Office Hours |
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Time
in Mexico is a relative thing. The present drives out
the future. After all, what is time but to be enjoyed
now.
Thus, although punctuality is respected it is by no means
revered as in Canada and the US. Being 30 minutes late
to a social event is considered normal. Arrive earlier
and you will inconvenience the host. Be on time for appointments,
but be prepared to wait. No matter how late you actually
get together, be genuinely happy to see your associate
and begin with a social discussion.
The normal office day runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 or 7:00
pm, with lunch being taken between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.
Some offices close during the lunch period. Large companies
usually stay open. Stores open from as early as 7:30 am
to 9:00 am with 8:00 am being the norm. The larger stores
will stay open during the lunch period. The smaller stores
will often close during this time. |
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| Dress
Codes |
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For
business, suits are appropriate. Shorts should not be
worn, even for a informal social gathering. They are for
tourists only. Casual pants or dress jeans and an open
shirt are acceptable for informal meetings.
For women in a business meeting, a light suit and skirt;
or good blouse and skirt or good pants are suggested.
Revealing clothing is not appropriate. |
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| Social
Behaviours |
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Learn some Spanish! Besides making life easier, Mexicans
appreciate your attempt to learn their language. Do
not be afraid of making mistakes. Your Mexican associate
will help you to learn and will respect your courage
in trying.
In greetings, men will always shake hands, even if it
has only been an hour since you were apart. If you are
a woman, men will hesitate to let you initiate a hand
shake. Women will touch each other on the shoulder or
arm rather than shake hands. If they know each other
well, they may kiss each other on the cheek. Being an
affectionate people, don't be surprised if you are the
recipient of a hug on the subsequent meeting.
Conversational space (the distance between people) is
much closer in Mexico than in Canada or the US. If you
feel like your space is being invaded, don't back away.
Your movement away will be considered discursive or
negative -www.mexconnect.com
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| Related
Articles |
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"U.S.
Investors Hedge their Bets as Mexico Prepares to Legalize
Casinos." Mexicobusiness.com - Bierma,
Paige
"MEXICO'S
YUCATAN - Update on Economic Development in the Yucatan
Fall 2002." Mexico Connect Business 2002. -
Gordon, Gus
"Personality
and Adjustment: The Foreign Executive in Mexico."
Mexico Connect - Ehrlich, Marc
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| Leading
Newspapers |
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Mexico
Online - www.mexonline.com
Oaxaca
Times - www.oaxacatimes.com
MaquilaMarket.com
- www.maquilamarket.com
List
of Mexican Newspapers - www.onlinenewspapers.com/
mexico.htm
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| Useful
Links |
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Mexico
Connect Business
United
States - Mexico Chamber of Commerce
Mexican
Embassy in the US - www.embassyofmexico.org
US
Embassy in Mexico - www.usembassy-mexico.gov/emenu.html
American
Chamber of Commerce in Mexico - www.amcham.com.mx
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