What is business etiquette in Colombia?

Colombians are generally punctual when it comes to business engagements. Punctuality conveys respect for the person’s time and attention. A five-minute delay is forgivable. Address people with their appropriate titles and wait for the other party to initiate a transition to first-name basis.

What is considered disrespectful in Colombia?

It is rude to speak with your hands in your pockets or chew gum with your mouth open. Slouching and leaning against things is bad form. Punctuality is not tight in Colombia. Expect people to follow a looser “tiempo colombiano” (Colombian time) for social and casual engagements.

How is business done in Colombia?

Business is personal in Colombia. Most business will stop at some point if based on email, telephone, or video-conferencing. People want to get to know and trust you before doing business. Face-to-face meetings are necessary for most business.

What are the customs about punctuality in Colombia?

Corporate Culture Colombians are normally punctual in business, although they may be up to a half-hour late. The best policy for foreign businesspeople is to be punctual, but prepared to wait. Don’t get angry if a 12:00 p.m. appointment doesn’t begin until 12:30 p.m. Excuse yourself if you are late.

Why do Colombians point with their lips?

Pointing with lips – Colombians never point with their fingers. Instead, they pucker their lips and look with their eyes to indicate what they want you to look at.

Are Colombians hard workers?

Colombians are also known to be very hard workers and are very dedicated to their job. They are grateful for the opportunity to be able to work and show this through their commitment to working hard.

Is Colombia business friendly?

Colombia, the most business friendly destination in Latin America according to the World Bank report. The Doing Business index compiled by the World Bank, which measures the ease of doing business in a country, ranked Colombia as a leader in the region.

Is Colombia good for business?

In the Doing Business Report, Colombia ranks #61 for starting a business (up from 80 in 2016). Many international bodies, such as Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s & Fitch and the World Bank, identify Colombia as a trustworthy partner.

What are Colombian values?

People generally place a high value on manners, formality and dignified behaviour. They tend to be conscious of upholding their honour and moral integrity regardless of their class or background. Many Colombians derive a great deal of personal pride from the achievements of their children and family.

What does the middle finger mean in Colombia?

Gestures: In Colombia, to use the index and middle finger to tap the neck signals “I lost” or “I have a problem”. To point with two index fingers (as if indicating the length of something) is an obscene gesture.

Are Colombian men affectionate?

They are affectionate and generous Affection is very important for Colombians. They are very open with their emotions. If they love you, they say it and they show it. They like cooking for their partners and families, they like giving presents and even dedicating songs.

Can you flush toilet paper in Colombia?

Use the Trash Bin Next to the Toilet for Paper In Colombia, people dispose of paper in the trash bin and they don’t flush it. This is because most of the country has septic systems and old creaky pipes.

Is it worth investing in Colombia?

Colombia offers attractive investment opportunities Thanks to its competitive costs of human talent, raw materials, distribution, and production factors, Colombia offers an ideal location for manufacturing production.

Is investing in Colombia a good idea?

The Colombian investment atmosphere has been considered as one of the most favorable for foreign investment. Colombia is one of the most open economies, in terms of percentage of property own by foreigners, in Latin America.

What business is good in Colombia?

Mining. In terms of the primary sector, Colombia is renowned worldwide for its booming mining industry. With a special focus on gold, coal and emeralds, Colombia’s foreign investment in mining its precious minerals has only got bigger over the last decade.

How do I negotiate with Colombians?

Detailed business negotiations are likely to happen in the office rather than over a meal. In general, Colombians tend to be flexible and adaptable and use common sense. They will tend to want to get to know you before doing business. You should not expect a quick, direct approach to issues of pricing etc.

How does the weather affect business etiquette in Colombia?

While this might seem obvious, keep in mind that weather affects business etiquette in Colombia. Some cities, such as the capital Bogota, are relatively cold with regular rain, while many other cities are hot all year round, with sometimes oppressive humidity on the coasts.

How do I do business in Colombia?

Try to arrange your visit at other times. Lunches are an important part of doing business in Colombia. Business breakfasts are also popular (generally starting at 7.30am or 8.00am), allowing business to get under way before the traffic gets to its worst. These can be in your hotel or a local restaurant/café.

What is the dress code in Bogotá?

Conservative European dress code is the norm for all meetings in Bogotá and Medellín. Remember that just because Bogotá is close to the equator does not mean that it will be warm – at 2,500m above sea level, the temperature will usually be around 18-21ºC.