History and Facts of Mexico
Mexico is the third largest country in Latin America and now has the largest population of Spanish speakers in the world. Keep in mind, however, that Spanish was not always the primary language of the native people. Before the Spanish influence, many different native tribes inhabited the country; each of them speaking their own dialect. Some of the more popular dialects were the Mayan dialect and the Náhuatl dialect. The northern tribes, known to be the Chichimecs, were hunters and gatherers. They were small, more isolated groups who roamed the dryer lands of the deserts and steppes. The agricultural tribes inhabited other regions of the country and allowed larger populations in their surroundings. Included in these agricultural tribes were the Mayans of the Yucatan, Totonac, Huastec, Zapotecs, Tlaxcalans, Aztecs, and others tribes. These tribes developed civilizations with highly structured temples used for religion, sacrifices, commerce, and their form of government. The Aztecs even used a sort of tribute system to collect taxes and treasures from conquered tribes. The well known symbol of the Aztecs was an eagle with a snake in its beak resting on a cactus. This Aztec symbol has become the national symbol of Mexico.
In 1519, the Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés, sailed along the eastern gulf coast and anchored off the island of San Juan de Ulúa. Over 500 Spanish soldiers stepped foot on the land, bringing with them a new animal species never seen by the native tribes; the horse. This was the beginning of the Spanish Conquest and the fall of the great Aztec Empire that lasted from 1519 – 1521. During a second expedition, Cortés set sail for Cozumel. There he met fellow Spaniard Gerónimo de Aguilar who had been living with the Mayans because of a shipwreck. He became the personal translator for Cortés in native language and culture. After conquering another tribe, Cortés received as a reward of victory 20 native women, one being Doña Marina. She spoke both the Náhuatl and Mayan dialects. She learned Spanish and soon gave birth to Cortés’ child, the first mestizo (or mixed-blood Mexican). She is considered a traitor to the natives for helping the Spaniards. She also helped intertwine the Spanish language to the natives. Mexico started their fight for independence from Spain on September 16, 1810 when Father Hidalgo yelled the infamous quote “Viva Mexico”. The Mexican War of Independence lasted until 1821 when a treaty was signed recognizing Mexico’s independence from Spain. In 1822, Agustin de Iturbide was crowned emperor of Mexico. After a fall of the monarchy, a republic was proclaimed in 1822 and was then established in 1824. The Federal Republic of Mexico is made of 31 states and one federal district. The capital is Mexico City and is one of the more populated cities with around 22 million citizens. Mexico City is the center of government, business, and cultures. Over one-fifth of the population works or lives here. Mexico City also offers many places to shop, a variety of restaurants, and an abundance of cultural experiences. Because of the year-round tropical climate, Mexico has several different touristic regions that include beaches, mountain terrains, natural water springs, and ancient ruins. Some popular touristic sites are Cancún, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Tulum, Cabo San Lucas, Cozumel, and Mexico City.
General Business Etiquette Business etiquette in Mexico varies from the mentality and etiquette we practice in the United States. Mexico’s typical business meetings are slow paced and save the important topics of discussion for the last few moments of the meeting. Also you need to practice patience and be flexible. Mexicans believe that time is not money, but rather money is to enjoy living your life. More importantly, in order to make a strong and lasting impression on your Mexican business client, you need to establish a personal relationship and socialize. One business rule to keep in mind regarding dates is that in Mexico, they write their dates in the following format: day/month/year versus the month/day/year that we are accustomed to. If business cards are used, it is courteous to ensure that one side is in Spanish; and this is the side that should be presented to a Mexican business acquaintance. Also the business associate should ensure he or she has enough cards to give to each person that attends the meeting, not just the intended business acquaintance. It is proper business etiquette to have all written materials available in both English and Spanish.
Standard Workday, Business Hours, and Operational Hours Many business hours are similar to what we are accustomed to in the United States. Most office based businesses open and operate between the hours of 8am and 6pm. Large shopping areas open between 10am and 11am, close between 8pm and 10pm, and may be open seven days a week. Diners, grocery stores, and recreational stores usually open later in the morning to stay open later in the evening. Also Mexicans take long lunches (2 hours) usually between 2pm – 4pm. Many holiday and religious closures are practiced such as: Christmas and Easter holidays are observed, as well as Day of the Dead, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Holy Week (the week before Easter), King’s Day, and Mother’s Day (May 10th for Mexicans).
Phone, Fax, and Email Etiquette
Phone, fax, internet, and email are widely used in Mexico. It is professional to remember to call or email to confirm your appointment up to a week in advance. Some secretaries may not speak English; therefore it is polite to speak Spanish or have a translator available. Also sometimes it is not likely you will receive a message back. In some cases, Mexicans believe that if a call is important, it will be placed again until contact is made. If using email, keep in mind that the secretaries usually write and respond on behalf of his or her boss.
Time and Punctuality Standards When conducting business in Mexico, it is a strong business practice to be patient and flexible. It is suggested to show up to a social event at least 30 minutes after the stated time. For a business meeting, it is important to arrive on time although your Mexican business associates are usually 30 minutes late. Sometimes it can be longer, especially due to the heavy traffic caused by regulated usage of cards.
Language and the Barriers this Might Cause The primary spoken language in Mexico is Spanish. Some Mexican business executives are bilingual; however, it is not appropriate to assume this is as such for all cases. It is appropriate to speak Spanish if you know the language. If not, it is suggested to have a translator with you or available if you are not certain. This can cause several barriers in business negotiations with a Mexican business associate. First, if you do not speak the same language, it makes it harder to communicate. Also you must rely on a translator to correctly translate your communications. When using a translator, the business associate may mistake some of the body language of the translator as coming from you directly. Also it can cause some delays in receiving reports, contracts, or other written documentation because of the time it takes to properly translate it from one language to another. Also if your Mexican business associate does speak some English language, he or she still retains Spanish speech patterns. He or she may accidentally invert phrases when speaking in English; therefore you have to listen more carefully.

Standard Business Dress Code Always dress formally when attending any business meeting in Mexico. Men should wear a suit and tie; and women wear a formal dress or skirt, all in dark colors. If a meeting is in a hot climate, formal shorts and short sleeves are acceptable. Tee shirts, tennis shoes, or open toe shoes should never be worn. If you are attending a social gathering, smart casual is always the best option. The norm is to dress conservatively in Mexico.
Greeting Protocols and Introductions
Many Mexicans have three names. These names include their first name, paternal name, and maternal name. All three should be addressed in writing; but only the first two are addressed verbally. You should never address someone by only their first name unless you are invited to do so. Also titles are very important; they are seen as a status symbol. Anyone with a professional degree should be addressed by that title, not Señor/Señora/Señorita. Physical contact is very important when greeting someone or being introduced. Always extend your hand for a firm handshake and make eye contact. If you already have a developed relationship, a hug or one light kiss on the cheek is appropriate. If you are pulled in for a hug, use your left arm to pat their back. Backing away from this contact is considered rude and insulting. In large social gatherings, introduce yourself; however, in smaller social gatherings, the host will introduce you.
Women in Business
The traditional Mexican business culture is viewed as being machismo; however, the modern Mexican culture is changing and progressing. Modern society now accepts women working in the professional environment. Professional female executives are treated with courtesy, professionalism, and respect.

Negotiating Practices When conducting business in Mexico, the most important thing to remember is that the relationship must be developed first. Mexican people make friends first, talk business second. If you do not take the time to develop that relationship, then it could result in losing your business deal. Always start your meetings with small talk and inquire about family. Also it is best practice to always have at least one executive on your business team since Mexicans are very status conscious. As stated previously, if you cannot speak Spanish, to please have an interpreter with you. Most negotiations are preferred to be face-to-face and are lengthy. Mexicans consider that all deadlines are flexible.
Gift Giving Practices When you receive a social invitation to a Mexican’s home, it is customary to always bring a gift for the host. An appropriate gift would be flowers or candies. However, do not give marigolds as they symbolize death or red flowers because they have a negative connotation. White flowers are appropriate because they are considered uplifting. If you receive a gift, open it immediately and react with enthusiasm.
Meal and Dining Etiquette If your business meeting takes place in a restaurant, then a general rule to remember is the person doing the selling pays the bill. The exception to this rule is if you were invited to the meal by the other party; however, it is still customary and polite to offer to pay.
Business breakfasts are very common in Mexico. They occur between 8am – 11am, and it is the meal where a majority of business is done. They usually last no more than 2 hours. A business lunch is actually not very business oriented. They occur between 2pm – 4pm, and it is considered the main meal of the day. The lunch usually focuses on getting to know you. Different business ideas and concepts are discussed; however, they are not detailed or specific. Take this time to network and socialize. Similar to lunch, dinner is not an appropriate time to discuss business. Dinner occurs late in the evening, usually around 9pm. This is when Mexicans like to share time with their families. Do not talk about business unless your host starts the conversation. Please keep in mind, when you are invited to a Mexican home, it is appropriate to arrive at least 30 minutes late. It can be considered rude to arrive early and dress casual dress. Wait until you are invited to sit, and sit where you are asked to sit. Always wait for the hostess to start eating before you start to eat. Also it is customary and polite to not eat all the food on your plate.
Social Customs and Traditions It is considered respectful to participate while you are in Mexico. Before starting a meal, the host is to say “provecho” which means “benefit.” Mexico is very big on tipping service providers; it is expected and greatly appreciated. Even some of the smallest tasks, such as loading your bags into your vehicle, require a small tip. A man is expected to act gentlemanly toward women. Gestures such as opening doors and seating at a table are expected. When leaving a room while others are still present, it is customary to say “permiso”. If that is said to you, respond by saying “propio.”