PERU

PERU

HistoryHistoryPeru was a center Peru was a center

of the powerful Inca of the powerful Inca Empire until Spanish Empire until Spanish conquistadores conquistadores

invaded invaded in 1532. Peru then in 1532. Peru then became the richest became the richest And most powerful of And most powerful of the Spanish colonies.the Spanish colonies.

Language Peru has two

official languages: Spanish and Quechua (an Ameridian languages). Besides Quechua, another Indian Language, Aymara, is widely spoken in the southern highlands.

ReligionReligionThe spanish brought Roman The spanish brought Roman

Catholiscm to Peru., and over 90 Catholiscm to Peru., and over 90 percent of the population is considered percent of the population is considered Catholic. About 5 percent belong to Catholic. About 5 percent belong to various protestant faiths.various protestant faiths.

DemographicsDemographicsNearly one-third of Peru´s twenty-

three (1993 estimates) people live in the Lima area. Aproximately 40 percent of the population is under fifteen years old.

Business PracticesBusiness Practices Peru like many southamericans

write the day first, then the month, then the year (e.g., December 3, 1999, is written 3.12.99).

Appointments should be schedules in the morning, and they might invite you to lunch.

Business are open six days a week, business hours generally run from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 or 6:00 P.M.

NegotiatingNegotiating Include variety of material in

your presentations. (attractive graphics, computer demonstrations, etc).

Be prepared to discuss all aspects of the contract currently rather than discussing individual aspects, be preparef for seemingly extraneous data to be reviewed, and re-viewed.

Ask questions, avoid confrontations.

Peruvians may be more comfortable discussing their Spanish heritage than their indian background.

Have your business card and all company materials printed in both Spanish and English.

Businness EntertainingBusinness Entertaining Discuss business over dinner is not Discuss business over dinner is not

common.common. Most dinners invitations will be for Most dinners invitations will be for

9:00 P.M., which means dinner will 9:00 P.M., which means dinner will probably be served around 10:30 P.M. probably be served around 10:30 P.M. Arrive 30 minutes late and stay 30 Arrive 30 minutes late and stay 30 minutes after dinner ends.minutes after dinner ends.

Stay at first-class hotel. Fell free to Stay at first-class hotel. Fell free to use it to host a meeting. (Be careful use it to host a meeting. (Be careful not to touch anything metal when not to touch anything metal when taking a shower, since shower heads taking a shower, since shower heads are connected to electrical units.are connected to electrical units.

TimeTime

Peru is five Peru is five hours behind hours behind Greenwich Mean Greenwich Mean Time (G.M.T.-5), Time (G.M.T.-5), or the same as or the same as U.S. Eastern U.S. Eastern Standard Time.Standard Time.

ProtocolProtocol

GreetingsGreetings

Men and women shake hands both in greeting and parting.

Once a friendship has been established, men greet each other with a hug, and women may kiss one another on the cheek.

GesturesGestures Peruvians communicate in

close proximity, when they stand nearby do not back away.

Crossing your legs by resting the ankle of one leg ont he knee of the other is inaproppiate, however you may cross your legs at knee.

When eating out, be sure to rest both hands on the table, rather than leaving one in your lap.

““I´m thinking” is represented by I´m thinking” is represented by tapping your head.tapping your head.

““Go away” is shown by holding Go away” is shown by holding your hand flat and flicking the your hand flat and flicking the fingers toward the irritation.fingers toward the irritation.

““Pay me” is signified by an Pay me” is signified by an eyebrow raise, or by sweeping eyebrow raise, or by sweeping your hand toward your body.your hand toward your body.

Gifts A gift with a significant A gift with a significant

connection to your connection to your home state will be home state will be remembered.remembered.

Giving a gift in the first Giving a gift in the first meeting is not meeting is not required, instead buy required, instead buy lunch for your prospect lunch for your prospect to cement the to cement the relationship.relationship.

When invited to home, bring When invited to home, bring wine, whiskey or other liquors, wine, whiskey or other liquors, chocolates. Bring gifts for chocolates. Bring gifts for children: U.S. university T-shirts, children: U.S. university T-shirts, caps,etc.caps,etc.

Avoid sending thirteen of Avoid sending thirteen of anything, any purple or black anything, any purple or black objects (which have connotations objects (which have connotations of religious ceremonies), knieves of religious ceremonies), knieves or handkerchiefs.or handkerchiefs.

DressDressFor business meetings For business meetings

always dress in formal, always dress in formal, well-tailored suits. well-tailored suits.

Invitations to official Invitations to official parties normally require parties normally require tuxedos and cocktail tuxedos and cocktail dresses or evening gowns.dresses or evening gowns.

Foreigners should not wear Foreigners should not wear native indian clothing, even native indian clothing, even if they intend to honor the if they intend to honor the local culture.local culture.