Businesses attire

Men should dress in a conservative way, in a dark business suit, and a necktie.

In businesses circles and any other related groups, Venezuelan women tend to be particular in their dressing, and normally follow European fashions. Women visiting Venezuela must bring appropriate garments for business meetings, which are conservative, fashionable, and of good quality, and at least one cocktail dress.

It is important that women maintain an elegant appearance and are dressed well; they should also be particular with their jewels, wear shoes with heels and make-up.

People will earn an extra point if they use watches, jewellery, or other accessories made by prestigious designers. Business people in Venezuela tend give much importance to status symbols, and therefore, the use of these accessories will always give a good impression.

Shorts or short trousers and sport shoes should be kept for the beach.

Conversation - Appropriate topics for conversation

General rules

One should be conscientious that Venezuelans tend to be very close to other people, when they talk. The best thing to do is to respect and accept this and realize that it is a cultural norm. Trying to distance yourself during a conversation will be perceived as rejection.

During a conversation, Venezuelans tend to pat the other person’s arm or jacket.

In this culture, it is important to maintain constant visual contact.

Venezuelans appreciate if a person makes an effort to learn about Venezuela’s political and cultural history.

Avoid dominating a conversation, allow your Venezuelan companion to take over the wheel.

Topics for conversation

Venezuela’s positive aspects, particularly what you are most pleased with in the country

History of Venezuela

Venezuelan art

Sports, specially baseball and soccer

Restaurants you have been to

The beauty of Venezuelan women and their successful participation in the Miss World and/or Universal Miss contest

Topics of conversation you should avoid

Someone’s private life

Personal questions

Religion

Venezuelan policy

Guerrillas

The United States influence in South America

How to address others of respectfully

You should always address people by their first last name.

You can address people on a first name basis when you are already well-acquainted and comfortable with each other.

When you would like to address people who do not have a professional designation or title, you should refer to them as Señor or Mr., Señora or Mrs., or Señorita or Miss, and their last name.

Most of the Hispanics have two last names: the first one is paternal, which is placed first, followed by the maternal, which is placed right after. Nevertheless, you should only address a person by the first last name, or the paternal one. When a woman gets married, the husband’s last name is normally added on, and she is addressed by this new last name.

Venezuelans are usually very affectionate people, and can decide to address you by an affectionate nickname that, if translated to English, may sound strange.

Gifts / tokens

How to choose and hand over / display an appropriate business gift or token:

Before giving a gift or token, you should establish a cordial relationship with the receiver. For example, gifts and tokens are considered necessary when you have been invited for a dinner, or when someone has interacted with you. Businesswomen do not need to give any gifts or tokens to businessmen.

The best time to hand over a gift or token, is during a lengthy lunch. Avoid giving anything during working hours.

When invited to a Venezuelan home, always walk in with something in your hands.

Also, it is well-appreciated if something is gifted to the host’s children or to colleague whom you are to meet.

When you plan to travel, ask your colleagues if there is anything in particular from your country, which they would like to receive.

Appropriate gifts / tokens

Fine chocolates

Imported quality liquors (such as Whiskey)

A good quality table-top item / accessory, with your company’s name

A good quality lighter with your company’s name

A branded pen

Small electronic items

A bestseller book from the New York Times list (if the person speaks English)

For a woman, a perfume is a good gift

An orchid flower arrangement. Orchids are the national flower, so this is a very popular gift and it is easy to acquire.

Let us make a deal!

What you must know before negotiating

It is recommended that you make your business contacts via local intermediaries, who can perform all the necessary presentations for you. For example, the diplomatic representations in Caracas and bilateral Chambers of Commerce, among others, can assist you in contacting Venezuelan representatives.

It is better to send a delegate than a complete delegation during the first meeting / contact with a Venezuelan prospect. Thereafter, one can send the rest of the members of its delegation.

Documents such as letters, promotional literature and presentation materials need to be translated into Spanish. Nevertheless, if you receive feedback from a Venezuelan in English, you can then begin using English in your correspondence.

Any written correspondence needs to be followed up by a telephone call, this should be done right after the correspondence has been sent, during day-time office hours.

It is advisable to reconfirm, via fax or email, any meetings, a few days before the scheduled date.

In Venezuela, business cards are very necessary in establishing business relationships. Therefore, you must make sure you bring a substantial amount, and have them ready to hand out when meeting someone.

It is important to have one side of the business card printed in Spanish, and the other in English. In addition, you must make sure that your designation and position are clearly printed in the card, given that Venezuelan businessmen tend to pay a lot of attention to a person’s status.

Offer your business card as soon as you introduce yourself.

The business cards should be taken care of and respected

In the Venezuelan business culture, a preliminary conversation is considered necessary, before each meeting, since it allows that the participants to relate to each other. It is advisable to wait for the Venezuelan to start off with small talk, and then take it from there

Generally, Venezuelans prefer to have control over the conversations, so try to avoid monopolizing this, or pressuring your colleagues in any way.

Generally there are two ways to do businesses in this culture. The businessmen from the older generation normally give more importance to meeting in person. On the other hand, the younger generation, especially those who have been educated in the United States, worry mainly about the commercial activities. In any case, both approaches are important and complementary.

In the Venezuelan business culture, interpersonal relations, such as initiatiating and maintaining a cordial relationship with a group is sometimes considered to be more important, than the person’s professional aptitude and experiences.

In the public and private sector, the Venezuelan women hold positions of importance and authority. Therefore, you will realize that Venezuelan men are used to dealing with women in the business world. Nevertheless, chauvinism is still very much predominant in the society. It is important for women to be careful and have self-control. In addition, business women should kindly accept any noble gesture, always maintaining their professionalism.

In Venezuela, many companies, particularly the old and respectable institutions, are family businesses. You can expect to meet several people within this type of company, to be members of the same family.

In private Venezuelan organizations, the hierarchy is usually well-defined, whereas in other organizations, it is less obvious.

The upper class tend to dominate the businesses in Venezuela, whereas the middle-class is generally predominant in the political area.

The differences between poor men and the rich ones in this society is well-defined. Nevertheless, it is believed firmly that those who have authority take pleasure in the privileges which come with the territory.

Venezuela is composed by a minority of the elite white class, a majority of racially mixed population, and a minority in the black population. Nevertheless, certain prejudices are apparent between the different classes and ethnic groups.

In Venezuela new ideas and concepts, in regards to most the issues, are usually well-accepted, at least as a subject of discussion. But, in general, Venezuelans are not easy to persuade, for changes in opinions.

Wait to conclude negotiations, before mentioning that you require the presence of a lawyer.

After your first businesses contact in Venezuela, it is advisable to have the main executive of your company/firm write a thank you note to the main executive in the Venezuelan company.

In family businesses, the main family members normally make the final decisions. Nevertheless, in most of the other companies, the main administrators make the decisions. In addition, people with professional experience, who understand the art of negotiation, usually participate in the decision-making process.

In Venezuela, all individuals should be held completely be responsible for their decisions, and the effect it may have on the rest of the workers or family.

Venezuelans would rather negotiate with charismatic leaders, given their Caribbean influence.

How to entertain yourself

Entertainment for a successful business.

When doing business with a Venezuelan, you must take into account that inviting them to dinners in restaurants are a good scheme to developing a better working relationship. Businesses dinners, in particular, are normally exclusively social. Therefore, you must avoid speaking about anything related to business, unless the Venezuelan brings up the subject.

Businesswomen must know that if she is seen out with a Venezuelan businessman, this can easily be misinterpreted in this society.

Lunch hour in Venezuela is normally from noon to 2:00pm. This meal includes five or more dishes, including soup and dessert, followed of a strong coffee.

It may be beneficial to carry on a day meeting with an invitation to have lunch, where you will be able to further-discuss your businesses dealings.

When you get a dinner invitation, expect to have a very light meal. Dinners are usually eaten late at night, around 8:30 or 9pm, and they normally go on till midnight.

Keep in mind that Venezuelans are good whiskey drinkers

As opposed to lunch which is more work/business-oriented, dinner time is more socially-oriented.

Spouses are usually invited to dinners.

If you are the giving out an invitation to a restaurant, it is advisable to make arrangements to have the bill paid in advance. This is a very important rule for businesswomen, mainly because her guests will not allow her to hold the bill in her hands. In general, Venezuelan businessmen are gentlemen.

If you are invited to a Venezuelan family’s home, consider it an unusual honour. Make sure to take a gift / token.

During dinner time, the hosts are normally seated in opposite sides of the table. You offer the elderly woman or the guest of honour the chair that is to the right of the female host. To elderly man, the chair to the right of the male host will be corresponded to him. The executives should be seated in front of each other.

Follow the Venezuelan etiquette rules and offer a toast, raise your glass and say “Salud” (“Cheers”).

During all the meals, it is necessary to follow the continental style of eating: the knife is used with the right hand and the fork with the left, without interchanging them.

Make sure to send a thank you note after any social meeting, to which you have been invited. These small notes of appreciation are helpful for building relationships.

It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers. Nevertheless, you must compensate for any special services they may have provided, such as assisting you with your luggage.

The equivalent one of $1 is a good tip for doormen or bellboys who assist you with your bag or briefcase.

In restaurants, the account normally includes 10% of surcharge for service. Nevertheless, if the service was exceptional, you may leave an additional 5% tip.

Behaviour in Public

Suitable conduct when in public

In Venezuela it is important to always maintain a good posture, even in the most informal situations

In Venezuela people normally greet each other with a firm handshake

During the handshake, make sure you mention your name. The Venezuelan will respond the same way.

Once you have established a closer relationship with a person, while greeting, you may receive a hug, and sometimes, a kiss in the cheek.

Point out with your hand instead of using just one finger.

Avoid eating and walking to the same time.

When a businesswoman is about to enter a car, she must wait for the travel companion to open the door. Venezuelan men are gentlemen with manners.

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