Central%20and%20South%20America%20The%20Caribbean%20North%20America

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Central and South America The CaribbeanNorth
America
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General Protocol

• Close proximity
• Shaking hands both on arrival and departure
• Hearty abrazo (big hugs) for men kiss on cheeks
  for women
• A thirty-minute delay is customary (except
  Chile).
• Avoid making appointment on the first day of
  arrival at the high altitude countries.
• Ecuador Columbia Mexico (Mexico City)
• Lunch is the main meal of the day. (bad for
  appointments)

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• Gift giving is customary.
• for women perfume (?), name brand items
• for men name-brand novelties or
  accessories
• Personal items (e.g. ties shirts) should be
  avoided as gifts.
• Argentina Colombia
• Flowers and good wine are suitable gifts.
• no yellow flowers in Mexico no purple
  flowers in Brazil
• Toasts are common (Host first guests follow).
• Proper attire (jacket and tie)

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• Strong coffee is served.
• Brazil Colombia (black coffee)
• Machismo prevails in certain countries.
• (Honduras Nicaragua, Panama)
• Conversation topics
• local folklore customs heroes sports
  (soccer)
• avoid local politics or religion

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The Caribbean

• Diverse language and culture
• English is the prevailing language.
• Hand shaking is customary.
• Prior appointments are advisable, but people are
  not necessarily punctual.
• Informal table manners
• Casual warm-weather clothing
• Stand respectfully when the national flag is
  raised and lowered at 8 a.m. and 6p.m.
• Close proximity is observed in Puerto Rico.

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North America