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

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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

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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)