Mind Your P's and Q's in
Costa Rica
By Jane Lasky
A quick trip to Costa
Rica taught me plenty
about this up-and-coming
business destination.
For instance, sighting a
man wearing a tie is
rare no matter what the
venue. Although this
Central American hot
spot is a hard-working
place where wheeling and
dealing is the order of
the day, dressing for
comfort is still a must.
Here's another wardrobe
observation typical for
Costa Rica's tropical
climate: Women with
plunging necklines
apparently don't go out
in public. Revealing
clothing is just not
appropriate in this
country's buttoned-up
work place.
I noticed plenty of
other observances taking
place in thriving Costa
Rica:
• Politics are discussed
at nearly every
conceivable event. Free
thinking on the topic
is, well, topical. So
are family, art and
history. Another popular
topic of conversation is
eco-tourism, a practice
widespread in this land
of protected rain
forests and extensive
wildlife preserves where
a wide variety of both
animals and plants
proliferates.
• Men in business always
shake hands, whether
meeting for the first
time or for the fifth.
Women, however, don't
always follow the same
practice, often
acknowledging each other
with a light pat on the
left hand. Good friends
of the female kind are
apt to kiss each other
on the cheek.
• Expect plenty of women
working in top positions
in Costa Rica, many with
advanced degrees and
many who practice law.
There are arguably more
lawyers in this country
than any other in
Central America.
• What I was taught at
home in upstate New York
is also taught all over
Costa Rica: Keep your
feet off the furniture
and don't appear
distracted when getting
to know another person.
(Translation: Look the
other person in the eye
and be sure not to
fidget during your
discussion no matter how
long it goes on.)
• Business dinners are
popular with Costa
Ricans, who often
include their spouses
and are happy if you do,
too.
• Whatever the reason
for a meeting, be sure
to be on time. Also, be
sure to be ready with
the right materials,
including, but not
limited to, business
cards and written
proposals presented in
both English and Spanish
whenever possible.
• If you feel the need
to criticize a business
practice, do not make
that criticism personal.
This is a sure way to
break ties in Costa
Rica.
• Pack a variety of
small gifts, such as
pens with the company
logo or pocket diaries,
to give to your
colleagues. In the
workplace, there will be
plenty of instances when
you want to give a
little present and there
will also be plenty of
instances when you will
be given one as well.
• If you are lucky
enough to be invited to
a Costa Rican
colleague's home for
dinner, be sure not to
go empty handed.
Instead, take flowers
(such as roses or
carnations), a box of
chocolates or a bottle
of good Scotch.
• One major faux pas to
avoid should you become
the guest at a Costa
Rican home: Taking along
someone who is not
invited. If you do ask a
counterpart to join you
without first checking
with your host, don't be
surprised if that extra
person is turned away at
the door.
• Expect to dine early
and expect to leave
shortly after eating,
but only after offering
to help clear the table
or clean the dishes.
Also realize that no
offense should be taken
if your good intentions
are not accepted. |
