About UsCenters in LatinamericaPrograms and ProjectsNews and EventsInformationNewsletter

Dining Etiquette

Lunch is the main meal of the day, and a popular choice for a business meal.
Colombians have tradition of hospitality and frequently invite guest to their homes.
Good topics of conversation:
- Colombian culture
- Colombian literature
- Colombian history
(Or at least show curiosity about such things)
Topics to avoid:
- Politics
- Terrorism
- Illegal drugs in Colombia
Comparisons between the US and Colombia
Theoretically, the person who has initiated the invitation will pay for a meal in a restaurant. In practice, you may have to fight for the check even when you issued the invitation.
Leave a small amount of food on your plate to demonstrate that you have had enough to eat.
top

Venezuela

It is good practice to for morning appointments to be followed up with an invitation to lunch, where you can continue your business discussions.
If you are invited for a meal at a Venezuelan home, be aware that this is a sign of close friendship and is not to be taken lightly.
Good topics for conversation:
- Family
- Your job at home
- Venezuelan culture and history
(Or at least show curiosity about such things)
Topics to avoid:
- Government
- Personal relationships
- The influence of the US on South America
Unlike lunch, dinner is for socializing, not for business.
Dinner begins at 8:30 p.m. or later and lasts until midnight. Spouses are usually invited to dinner.
Women may encounter some resistance from male Venezuelan counter parts in paying the check.
Businesswomen should be aware that going out alone with Venezuelan businessmen might be misconstrued.
top

Ecuador

Lunch is the main meal of the day, and is the usual business meal.
Ecuadorians are very hospitable and friendly; if you establish a good relationship, you may be invited to your associate’s home or farm. Consider this an honor.
Good topics for conversation:
- Family
- Sports
- Ecuadorian culture and history
(Or at least show curiosity about such things)
Topics to avoid:
- Politics, especially Ecuador’s relations with Peru.
- Ecuadorians are sensitive to US attitudes of superiority
It is considered rude to suggest an ending time for a social gathering.
It is acceptable to order a cocktail (such as scotch) before the meal. However, since you will be on an interview, be careful with any kind of liquor. Know your limits!
Wine may be served with the lunch. Keep in mind that Ecuadorians will be accustomed to a heavy meal with alcohol at midday.
Women should note that while it is acceptable to drink wine, Ecuadorians are not accustomed to seeing women drink whiskey or other hard liquor.
Men will resist letting a woman pay for a meal.
top

Peru

Business entertaining will usually take place at prestigious restaurants, and will include spouses in the invitations if it will be dinner.
Discussing business over dinner is not common.
Good topics of conversation:
- The Peruvian’s Spanish background
- Family
- Sports
Topics to avoid:
- An individual’s [Indian] ancestry
- Peruvian government
- Terrorists
- Politics in general
Most dinner invitations will be for 9:00 p.m., which means dinner will probably be served around 10:30 p.m. Arrive around 30 minutes late and stay about 30 minutes after dinner ends.
Imported alcohol is very expensive. Don’t order it!
An invitation to tea at a private residence is usually for 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
top

Bolivia

Business meals are popular in Bolivia. They are usually held in restaurants; offers to dine in a Bolivian home are relatively infrequent.
While one can discuss business over lunch, dinner is considered a social occasion. Do not bring up business over dinner unless your Bolivian counterpart does so first.
Wives are not usually asked to attend business meals in restaurants especially not on Friday night, which is called bachelor Friday, when men go out dining and drinking without their spouses.
Lunch is usually the largest meal of the day. Dinner may start anytime form 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. A formal dinner usually begins at 9:00 p.m.
When dining, keep your hands on the table not in your lap.
Never ear with your fingers; there are utensils for everything. Even fruits such as bananas are eaten with a fruit knife and fork.
Avoid pouring wine, if possible. There are several complex taboos about wine pouring.
Be warned that Bolivian food may contain very hot peppers.
When eating at a Bolivian home, understand that everyone including the guest is expected to eat everything on their plate. Your hosts will encourage you to eat, and it is traditional for you to decline the first time your hostess asks if you want more. Wait until they insist, or you may be deluged with food. A compliment is taken as a request for more food, so hold your compliments until after the meal.
Stay at the table until everyone is finished eating. It is polite to leave a home about 30 minutes after dinner is concluded.
top