Business Etiquette

Business Etiquette

Mexico's male-dominated business world has made some concessions to women's liberation but remains difficult to infiltrate - even now. Women are making progress though many of Mexico's top jobs still tend to be held by men.

In Mexico City, business attire is conventional and formal in style. Men wear suits and women's clothing should be conservative and well tailored. While English is spoken, it is considered courteous for businesspeople to attempt a few words of Spanish. Social conventions make it almost impossible for Mexicans to say "no" so it is important to bear in mind that "yes" does not always mean yes.

In Mexico City, business discussions are commonly conducted over a meal, often a long breakfast. It is polite to accept a drink with your host and customary to shake hands with everyone upon arrival and departure. Business cards are used extensively and it is a good idea to have the cards printed in Spanish and English - and to make sure you have a good supply. Mexicans attach great importance to professional titles - doctor, profesor, licenciado (lawyer or graduate) and ingeniero (engineer) - and it is courteous to address them as such.

Mexican timekeeping is characteristically fluid though punctuality is observed for government appointments and functions. In Mexico City, businesses tend to open between 0900 or 0930 until 1900, with a long lunch beginning at 1400 or later. In government offices, work begins at about 1000, with a lunch break beginning at 1400 or 1500, with staff not returning until 1700 or 1800 to work into the evening until 2100.