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

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

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

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

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 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)