{"id":169,"date":"2016-12-27T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-12-27T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/log.cudoo.com\/2018\/03\/11\/learn-spanish-business-etiquette\/"},"modified":"2022-10-12T17:30:53","modified_gmt":"2022-10-12T13:30:53","slug":"learn-spanish-business-etiquette","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cudoo.com\/blog\/learn-spanish-business-etiquette\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn Spanish Business Etiquette"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Spanish are very open and communicative people; they value highly their families, personal relationships and cultural traditions.\u00a0As Spain’s economy begins its recovery, understanding this flamboyant culture is key to effectively conducting business in this Europe’s fourth-largest country. Learn Spanish<\/a> and Spanish Business Etiquette before you go.<\/p>\n

As Europe\u2019s fourth-largest country and among the\u00a0top three most visited countries<\/strong>\u00a0in the world, Spain is one of the prime cultural hotspots of Europe. By means of a unique cultural heritage, Spain is widely known for art, music, dance, festivities and its colorful persona.<\/p>\n

With a population of\u00a046.5<\/strong>\u00a0million, Spain\u2019s economy is mainly comprised of tourism, textile and food processing industries. Plus the service industry of the country equates to more than\u00a050%<\/strong>\u00a0of the GDP, fueling the economy.<\/p>\n

Here are our top tips for ‘los negocios’<\/strong> in Spain.<\/p>\n

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1.\u00a0Meeting Etiquette<\/h2>\n

Appointments for any business meeting are mandatory and should be made well in advance. Reconfirm the meeting a few days prior to the set date and time.<\/p>\n

Your Spanish associates or clients may not be on time for a meeting but will expect you<\/em><\/strong> to be punctual.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t expect business to be discussed as a priority in the very first meeting. It\u2019s important to get to know one another and build a relationship. Meeting agendas or objectives are always set but not necessarily followed or needed.<\/p>\n

Ensure that all meeting material is available in English as well as in Spanish. If possible, have your business cards printed in English as well as in Spanish: one language on each side. While some Spanish professionals may be fluent in English, the language isn\u2019t widely spoken in the country. Therefore, it is essential to either hire an interpreter or, better yet,\u00a0learn Spanish<\/a>! The locals will not only love the effort but will respect you as well. When addressing someone, you may use the Spanish equivalent of the titles \u2018Mr.\u2019 and \u2018Mrs.\u2019: Se\u00f1or and Se\u00f1ora, respectively.<\/p>\n

You may be interrupted while speaking, but do not be offended! It\u2019s common practice in Spain and isn\u2019t thought of as rude.<\/p>\n

You may not come to a decision in the first few meetings as they are meant to encourage discussion and exchange of ideas only. The majority of Spaniards do not give either their opinion or their decision in initial meetings.<\/p>\n

Greet the person at the top of the hierarchy first. Very important to remember this!<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0La Siesta<\/h2>\n

Best to arrange meetings for mornings to avoid ‘siesta complications’. One of the Spanish culture\u2019s famous features is the \u2018Siesta\u2019; a midday\/lunch break from work where professionals, students, workers, etc. often go home to unwind and socialize with their family and friends before going back to work.<\/p>\n

Uncommon in major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona or Seville, la siesta<\/em>\u00a0still remains a part of lifestyles in smaller towns and cities throughout the country, and begins between 1-2pm and lasts around 2 hours. Often this is when the main meal of the day is shared.<\/p>\n

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3.\u00a0Appearance<\/h2>\n

Appearance is extremely important to the Spanish, especially in the world of business:<\/p>\n