Country Customary Information:
• If you are 18 years or older you may bring the following into Colombia
– 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars – 500g of tobacco
– 2 bottles of an alcoholic beverage
– Reasonable quantity of perfume
Communication Etiquette:
• Upon first meeting men will shake hands with direct eye contact
– Use the approiate greeting for the day in Spanish
– Buenos dias (good day)
– Buenas tardes (Good Afternoon)
– Buenas noches (Good Evening)
• Always refer to people by the appropriate honorific titles and surnames
• Men should wait for women to extend their hand
• It is polite to leave a small amount of food on your plate
• Don’t use a toothpick at the table
Business Etiquette:
• There may be an agenda, meetings do not always stay on path
• Colombians value relationships
• Spend time establishing trust between each other for first few meetings
• Can be very indirect – more information comes through their body language
– They do this to save the relationship and to save face
• Avoid confrontation at all costs
• Can be classified as a hierarchical society
• Treat business cards with respect