an etiquette guide to peru general and useful information to visiting peru return to visit peru!
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An Etiquette Guide to Peru
General and Useful information to visiting Peru
Return to Visit Peru!
Background to Peru and its People
Spaniards discover New World and find a concentration of Silver in the Andes Region, Peru Peru was the wealthiest Spanish Colony
The Inca Civilization was Destroyed by Pizarro and his Conquistadors Traces of Inca Civilization lost after conquest
Today, the Peruvian society is separated by a small wealthy governing class and a larger more poor class
Religion and Demographics 95% Roman Catholics
Many religious practices mix indigenous traditions
50% of population under 25 Significant, Asian
immigration Bring political & economic
influence
www.ycr.org.uk
Greetings & Introductions
Languages: Spanish & Quechua (modern Inca language) When answering a phone
Peruvians usually say “Alo?” Kissing once on the cheek is
common between women or men and women
To be courteous, permission for photos of the people is recommended as well as a tip
The Okays & Not-Okays of Communication
Americans are very welcomed in Peru & hosted “very warmly” while visiting Be sure to mention how much you are enjoying
your stay Do not discuss political problems or past
relations with neighboring countries Peruvians do not get along with Bolivians and
have little relations with Ecuadorians The traditional hand wave is done with
your palm facing outward and waving from side to side
Protocol in PublicProtocol in Public• Travel by car is not
recommended– Poor road conditions and
the threat of guerilla activity make cars dangerous
• Visitors should not wear expensive jewelry due to high crime rates
• Women should always be accompanied by men
• Men should try not to look too much like a foreign business person
www.filtrs.com/peru/Peru-Dave/Peru.jpg
Business Culture
Travel with a female associate & have respected men at home establish your “authority” with Men
Appointments should be scheduled for the morning
Expect “stop and go” meetings
Peruvians prefer building relationships with business partners rather than building relations with a corporation www.geolingua.org/imagens/peru_lima2.jpg
How to be a good guest or host…
Peruvians like to be impressed; Choose to dine and stay at a nicer hotel and restaurant
Invite spouses to join everyone Dinners are a social gathering
Avoid talking about business Save it for the office or for lunch
www.peru-explorer.com/limahotels.jpg
Dining in Peru
In the early evening, Peruvians eat a “lonche,” a small breakfast like meal Intended to hold you over until dinner Entails cakes, coffee or tea
Dinner comes around 9pm or 10pm The quantity of food served is usually
large Potatoes, rice, bread and other starches
are common servings The host and the honored guest usually
sit next to one another Males to the right and Females to the left
www.angrypsycho.com/apweb/photos/arch/peru
A Hawaiian Chicken dinner in Peru
Drinking in Peru
“Mate de Coca” is a common drink especially in higher altitudes
The herbal tea helps people adjust to the higher altitudes
Due to the altitude, water is sometimes mixed in with beer or wine
Pisco is a eau de vie made from grapes mixed with lemons and sugar
Chicha is a fermented corn or grain drink like wine
A purple colored drink is alcoholic, where as a non-purple drink is non-alcoholic
Giving gifts to Peruvians
When sending flowers, send an odd number of roses, but not 13 Thirteen is seen as an unlucky number If you send another type of flower, it
looks like a cheap substitute
Linen handkerchiefs represent sadness
Gift giving is expected in business
Thoughtful gifts should either : Represent the receiver of the gift Be a rarity in Peru
Special Holidays and Celebrations
January 1 … Ano Nuevo (New Year’s Day) March/April … Semana Santa/Pasqua (Holy
week and Easter) June 29 … Feast of Saints Peter and Paul July 28-29…Independence Day August 30…Saint Rosa of the Americans
Celebration November 1…Dia de los Santos (All Saints
Day) December 8…Imaculada Concepcion
(Immaculate Conception)