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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
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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 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)