Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands, Sales and Marketing: The Essential Cultural Guide—From Presentations and Promotions to Communicating and Closing

DO I KISS, BOW, OR SHAKE HANDS?

GREETINGS VARY

Men consider shaking hands a standard initial greeting, and most Mexican businesswomen will shake your hand. However, be sure to lighten up on your grip with female colleagues. Women often just touch each other on the arm or shoulder in greeting.

As soon as you are more than an acquaintance, you will get a hug or kiss on the cheek.

If you go to lunch during your first meeting and are lucky enough to be included in a group of people who know each other, you may be immediately accepted as a friend and get the better greeting.

Marketing Note

Mexicans may not even enter big-ticket environments like car dealerships or real estate offices unless they know someone who works there. If you want to attract ...