Argentinean Society & Culture
Europeans or Latin Americans?
. Most Argentines are primarily of European descent, which separates them from other Latin American countries where European and Indian cultures are more mixed.
. Culturally and emotionally, Argentines often seem more European than Latin American.
. Culturally and emotionally, Argentines often seem more European than Latin American.
Argentinean Family Values
. The family is the centre of Argentine life with extended families still having prominence.
. The heads of powerful families command widespread respect, but with this comes a responsibility to care for others in terms of security, jobs, etc and to maintain personal and family honour.
. Honour is in all respects the be all and end all and it routinely affects day-to-day life at home, in the community and in business.
. The heads of powerful families command widespread respect, but with this comes a responsibility to care for others in terms of security, jobs, etc and to maintain personal and family honour.
. Honour is in all respects the be all and end all and it routinely affects day-to-day life at home, in the community and in business.
Religion in Argentina
. The Argentine constitution guarantees religious freedom.
. Roman Catholicism acts as the official state religion.
. Other world religions, notably Islam, are gaining a foothold within the country during the last ten to fifteen years.
. Roman Catholicism acts as the official state religion.
. Other world religions, notably Islam, are gaining a foothold within the country during the last ten to fifteen years.
Expressive Communication Style
. Argentines are on the whole open, blunt, and direct, yet are able to remain tactful and diplomatic.
. Argentines are a warm peoples and their unreservedness brings to the fore their passion and sentimentality.
. In addition they are close communicators physically so will often touch each other when speaking and maintain little physical distance between speakers.
. Argentines are a warm peoples and their unreservedness brings to the fore their passion and sentimentality.
. In addition they are close communicators physically so will often touch each other when speaking and maintain little physical distance between speakers.
General Etiquette and Customs
Meeting Etiquette
. Initial greetings are formal and follow a set protocol of greeting the eldest or most important person first.
. A standard handshake, with direct eye contact and a welcoming smile will suffice.
. Maintaining eye contact indicates interest.
. In general, Argentines prefer third-party introductions, so you should wait for your host or hostess to introduce you to others at a small gathering.
. When leaving, say good-bye to each person individually.
. A standard handshake, with direct eye contact and a welcoming smile will suffice.
. Maintaining eye contact indicates interest.
. In general, Argentines prefer third-party introductions, so you should wait for your host or hostess to introduce you to others at a small gathering.
. When leaving, say good-bye to each person individually.
Gift Giving Etiquette
. If invited to dinner at an Argentine's home bring a small gift for the hostess.
. Since taxes on imported spirits are extremely high, a bottle of imported spirits is always well received.
. Do not give knives or scissors as they indicate a desire to sever the relationship.
. Gifts are opened immediately.
. Since taxes on imported spirits are extremely high, a bottle of imported spirits is always well received.
. Do not give knives or scissors as they indicate a desire to sever the relationship.
. Gifts are opened immediately.
Dining Etiquette
If you are invited to an Argentine home:
. Dress well. Men should wear a jacket and tie. Women should wear a dress or a skirt and blouse.
. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes later than invited for a dinner party. Arriving on time is not the norm.
. Telephone your hosts the following day to thank them.
. Dress well. Men should wear a jacket and tie. Women should wear a dress or a skirt and blouse.
. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes later than invited for a dinner party. Arriving on time is not the norm.
. Telephone your hosts the following day to thank them.
Watch your Table Manners!
. Wait for the host or hostess to tell you where to sit. There may be a seating plan.
. Table manners are Continental - hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
. Do not begin eating until the hostess invites you to do so.
. Always keep your hands visible when eating, but do not rest your elbows on the table.
. Wait for a toast to be made before taking the first sip of your drink.
. It is considered polite to leave a small amount of food on your plate when you have finished eating.
. When you have finished eating, place your knife and fork across your plate with the prongs facing down and the handles facing to the right.
. Pouring wine is beset with many rituals and cultural taboos. If at all possible, avoid pouring wine.
. Table manners are Continental - hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
. Do not begin eating until the hostess invites you to do so.
. Always keep your hands visible when eating, but do not rest your elbows on the table.
. Wait for a toast to be made before taking the first sip of your drink.
. It is considered polite to leave a small amount of food on your plate when you have finished eating.
. When you have finished eating, place your knife and fork across your plate with the prongs facing down and the handles facing to the right.
. Pouring wine is beset with many rituals and cultural taboos. If at all possible, avoid pouring wine.
Business Etiquette, Customs and Protocol in Argentina
Relationships & Communication
Argentina is a relationship-driven culture, so it is important to build networks and use them.
. Argentines maintain and use an intricate network of family and friends to call upon for help, favours or assistance.
. If a favour is done for you, you will eventually be called upon to re-pay it.
. Name-dropping and nepotism do not have the negative connotations as it has in the West and can be used to your advantage.
. Above all Argentines like to do business with people they know and trust.
. They prefer face-to-face meetings rather than by telephone or in writing, which are seen as impersonal.
. Once a relationship has developed, their loyalty will be to you rather than to the company you represent.
. Looking good in the eyes of others is important to Argentines. Therefore, they will judge you not only on what you say, but also on the way you present yourself.
. Avoid confrontation. Argentines do not like publicly admitting they are incorrect.
. It is imperative to show deference and respect to those in positions of authority. When dealing with people at the same level, communication can be more informal.
. Be alert for nuances and hidden meanings. It is a good idea to repeat details, as you understand them to confirm that you and your business colleagues are in agreement.
. Argentines maintain and use an intricate network of family and friends to call upon for help, favours or assistance.
. If a favour is done for you, you will eventually be called upon to re-pay it.
. Name-dropping and nepotism do not have the negative connotations as it has in the West and can be used to your advantage.
. Above all Argentines like to do business with people they know and trust.
. They prefer face-to-face meetings rather than by telephone or in writing, which are seen as impersonal.
. Once a relationship has developed, their loyalty will be to you rather than to the company you represent.
. Looking good in the eyes of others is important to Argentines. Therefore, they will judge you not only on what you say, but also on the way you present yourself.
. Avoid confrontation. Argentines do not like publicly admitting they are incorrect.
. It is imperative to show deference and respect to those in positions of authority. When dealing with people at the same level, communication can be more informal.
. Be alert for nuances and hidden meanings. It is a good idea to repeat details, as you understand them to confirm that you and your business colleagues are in agreement.
Business Meeting Etiquette
. Appointments are necessary and should be made 1 to 2 weeks in advance, preferably by e-mail or telephone.
. Avoid January and February, which are their vacation times; the middle weeks of July, which is when many go skiing; and during the two weeks before and after Christmas.
. You should arrive on time for meetings, although the person you are meeting may not be punctual.
. In some older, more bureaucratic organizations, the more important the person you are meeting, the longer they keep you waiting.
. Do not immediately begin discussing business. Small talk helps establish a rapport.
. The person you are meeting with may accept telephone calls and attend to other business while you are there.
. Have all printed material available in both English and Spanish.
. Decisions are not reached at meetings. Meetings are for discussion and to exchange ideas.
. Avoid January and February, which are their vacation times; the middle weeks of July, which is when many go skiing; and during the two weeks before and after Christmas.
. You should arrive on time for meetings, although the person you are meeting may not be punctual.
. In some older, more bureaucratic organizations, the more important the person you are meeting, the longer they keep you waiting.
. Do not immediately begin discussing business. Small talk helps establish a rapport.
. The person you are meeting with may accept telephone calls and attend to other business while you are there.
. Have all printed material available in both English and Spanish.
. Decisions are not reached at meetings. Meetings are for discussion and to exchange ideas.
Business Negotiations
. Argentines expect to deal with people of similar status.
. Hierarchy is important. Decisions are made at the top of the company. Business moves slowly because it is extremely bureaucratic. Decisions often require several layers of approval.
. Argentines have a difficult time disagreeing, so do not think that things are going well simply because no one is challenging what you say.
. Hierarchy is important. Decisions are made at the top of the company. Business moves slowly because it is extremely bureaucratic. Decisions often require several layers of approval.
. Argentines have a difficult time disagreeing, so do not think that things are going well simply because no one is challenging what you say.
What to Wear?
. Business attire is formal and conservative, yet stylish.
. Men should wear dark coloured, conservative business suits.
. Women should wear elegant business suits or dresses.
. Good quality accessories are important for both sexes.
. Dress well if you want to make a good impression.
. Men should wear dark coloured, conservative business suits.
. Women should wear elegant business suits or dresses.
. Good quality accessories are important for both sexes.
. Dress well if you want to make a good impression.
Business Card Etiquette
. Business cards are given without formal ritual.
. Have one side of your business card translated into Spanish.
. Present your business card so the Spanish side faces the recipient.
. Have one side of your business card translated into Spanish.
. Present your business card so the Spanish side faces the recipient.
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