Working in Mexico: Five Cultural Blunders to Avoid
When you make a sales trip to Mexico, you not only step into a new country, you also walk into a different culture. As an outsider, there are many potentially harmful mistakes you can make, ranging from embarrassing to utterly offensive and destructive for business. To build lasting business relationships, you’ll want to avoid as many of these as possible. Following are some of the most common cultural blunders foreigners make in Mexico. Avoid these, and your chances for success in this growing market will be greatly improved.
Blunder No. 1: No Hand Shakes
Manners and politeness are essential elements in Mexican culture. Extending a hand when you meet someone is vital to making a good first impression. If you enter a room full of people, you’ll want to greet every one of them individually. The same is true when you leave: Shake hands before heading out, and you’ll exit on good terms.
As you spend more time with your Mexican business partners, you’ll find they tend to be very warm and friendly. Men will often greet each other with a hug, and women kiss one another on the cheek. If you are not sure how to greet people you know, extend your hand. If they make a move to embrace you or offer a kiss, follow their lead.
Blunder No. 2: All Business
Mexicans are social people and place a great deal of emphasis on social activities, even in business. Trying to run a meeting by following a tightly organized outline will not be beneficial. Instead, do your best to relax and engage in the small talk that occurs during the beginning of a meeting. Mexicans often wait until the end of a meeting to bring up important issues, so practice being patient and do not try to rush through other topics.
Blunder No. 3: Inappropriate Gestures
Tossing documents on a table is similar to slapping someone in the face: Mexicans consider it very rude. When handing out papers or brochures, hand them individually to each person at the table.
Making the OK sign with your finger and thumb is a vulgar gesture in Mexico. You will find, however, that many Mexican businessmen use their middle finger to point out highlights on a document or a whiteboard. If you’re not sure how a gesture will be viewed, avoid making it or ask a trusted friend before using it in public.
Blunder No. 4: Translation Errors
The Chevy Nova did not sell well in Mexico. One of the most likely reasons for this is that “nova” can be read as "no va," which means "does not go," a feature most Mexicans shopping for a new car did not find attractive. Before your company places ads on billboards or sends out fliers, hire a professional translator for a consultation. And if you have problems communicating in a meeting, bring a translator to the next one. The cost of hiring one is small compared to the amount you could lose on a poorly communicated business deal.
Blunder No. 5: Sarcasm
Mexicans tend to be fun-loving, and chances are you’ll see many smiles when you visit. Humor and jokes, however, are generally not sarcastic. In fact, most forms of sarcasm are considered extremely offensive. So back away from the sarcasm and say what you really mean. If you’re looking for topics of conversation, comment on Mexico’s history, mild climate, or fascinating archaeological sites. These subjects will be considered polite, and your partners will appreciate your interest in their country.
Finding your place in a different culture is not an exact science, and most people learn about blunders through trial and error. As you establish business relationships in Mexico, work hard to learn from your mistakes and show others that you generally care. Your good attitude will not go unnoticed, and your business relationships will be better off for it.
