Work schedules in Mexico

One of the things that expats always notice when they move to Mexico is the difference in the work schedules.  While many businesses in the US require employees to start around 7:30 or 8, in Mexico it is not uncommon to have a 9 or 9:30am start time.  In Mexico City, many employers have changed the start times to accomodate for the horrendous traffic, so while they ask their employees to come in at 7:30, they let them leave at 4pm. 

If you are driving through any major Mexican metropolis at night you'll notice people in office buildings working at 7, 8, 9pm.  Again, sometimes they stay late to avoid traffic and sometimes they just stay because they are still working.  Mexico has a collectivist culture where there is a real emphasis on following the group and social norms, so breezing by your boss and coworkers' offices at 5pm and waving goodbye is seen as a big no-no. No one may say anything to you, but believe me, they notice.

Expats often ask "Why do Mexicans work such long hours?"  There are a number of reasons that the Mexican work day seems longer than the typical workday in the US, Canada and Europe.  One of the reasons is of course the traffic.  Why spend 2 hours on the Periferico when you can get some work done and then get home in half an hour instead?  Another big reason - longer lunch breaks.  One hour is standard in most businesses, but once you get to an executive level it is not uncommon to spend 2 hrs out at lunch.  Lastly, more social time in Mexican offices.  Unlike many places in corporate America, where people have their nose to the grindstone in their offices and rarely take breaks, Mexican employees like to socialize and talk to their coworkers and bosses throughout the day, thus making the workday longer. 

Mexican Business Etiquette: E-mail

I know some of you may be thinking, "I already know how to write an e-mail...what could be so different in Mexico?  E-mail is e-mail."  While the technical aspects of writing and sending an e-mail may be the same, the content is very different.  Let me show you an example of what I mean.  Let's say you were waiting for someone in Mexico to send you an important report on Tuesday morning.  Tuesday afternoon rolls around and you still haven't received anything.






----

TYPICAL EXPAT E-MAIL TO JUAN PEREZ

From: John Doe
To: Juan Perez
Subject:  Urgent Report

Hi Juan,

You promised to have that report to me this morning.  What happened???  Please send it ASAP!!!

Regards,
John Doe

----


TYPICAL E-MAIL FROM SOMEONE IN MEXICO TO JUAN PEREZ

From: Roberto Gonzalez
To: Juan Perez
Subject:  Urgent Report

Dear Juan,

How are you?  I hope everything is going well for you and your family.  I saw your kids the other day and they are growing up so fast!!  We should really get our families together sometime soon to have dinner or something....

Anyways, do you happen to have the report ready?  My boss is coming down hard on me and you could really help me out if you sent it over.  I would really, really appreciate it!!!

----

See the difference?  I know some of you may be thinking, "But why should I kiss Juan's a** if he OWES me the report and he's already late?".  To you, it may seem counterintuitive, but guess which e-mail will get a positive response?  E-mail number 2.  It's not about kissing anyone's a**, it is about showing concern for the person behind the e-mail.  In Mexico, it is very important to show that you care.  That is a major difference that you will notice while doing business in Mexico.  So, in conclusion, when writing an e-mail to someone in Mexico, try not to be so "to the point".  Remember to ask people how they are doing once in awhile, it can't hurt you.

Doing Business in Mexico: Forming a Bond with your Mexican Business Partners

Note: Business Partner here means anyone you do business with in Mexico, potential client, buyer, supplier, etc.

One of the main differences that people notice when they first come to Mexico to do business is the way that business is conducted.  We've talked about the 4 hr lunches, but what is really behind the lunchis the personal relationship aspect of doing business. 

I remember when I was looking for a job and interviewed for a Latin American Sales position (mainly Mexico).  The manager went on and on about how great the job was because I wouldn't have to travel, I'd be able to do everything via phone.  I sat back and thought "I may not be traveling, but I also won't be making many sales."  The fact of the matter is that putting a face to a name in Mexico is crucial.  I don't care if you have the greatest product in the world and people are clamoring for it...you still need to meet your potential Mexican business partners in person.

Relationships are built on trust and it is very difficult to trust someone you have never met.  It happens in the US all the time - deals are made over email and the phone - but do not expect the same to work in Mexico.

Mexico Business Etiquette: Gift Giving

When doing business in another country, one of the questions that most often comes up is whether or not it is appropriate to give gifts.  In the United States, people have become very wary about giving gifts because they may be misinterpreted or companies may have strict policies against giving and receiving gifts.  I have not found that to be the case in Mexico.

One of the great things about doing business with people from a different country is being able to share your differences and similarities. 

So what would be considered an appropriate gift?

Food, alcohol, something for their office with your company logo, a coffee table book, or something that is hard to find in Mexico.
Let's say you are from California - a bottle of California wine that is not sold in Mexico would be seen as a good gift. 

It is also common practice in Mexico to send a Christmas card or small Christmas gift to your clients (remember Mexico is 90% Catholic). 

I think the most important thing to remember here is that in Mexico it is highly unlikely that you will "offend" someone when bringing a gift, it might even strengthen your business relationship because it shows you are making an effort to strengthen your interpersonal relationship which is KEY in Mexico.

Mexican Business Etiquette: Who pays?

The question of who pays for a business meal is confusing for a lot of people, even within their own country, so when you throw another country and culture into the mix it gets confusing.  Let's say you are traveling to Monterrey, Mexico to meet the general director of a maquiladora who will be manufacturing parts that you will sell in the US.  The general rule is this: if you are the party that is seeking the business relationship, you should pay.  However, you will find that most of your Mexican partners will insist on picking up the bill since they feel like hosts and because you took the time to travel to visit them. 

Note - a single woman should never ask a man out to a business lunch unless there is another party invited (her business associate, his business associate, etc).  It may sound old school, but you will aboid the chance of putting yourself in an uncomfortable position.  If you have to have the meeting alone for whatever reason, make sure it is in a neutral place, like the restaurant of your hotel.  It is not common for women to pick up the check in Mexico, even if you are the one that proposed the meeting in the first place.

The most important thing when it comes to the bill is to never make a scene.  If your Mexican business partner (or potential partner) agrees to pay, gracefully accept and show your gratitude. 

Mexico Business Etiquette: The Long Lunch

Since it is Friday, I thought I'd touch on something that confuses many foreigners when doing business in Mexico - the long lunch.  If you've ever done business in Mexico then you probably know what I'm talking about.

TIME
Mexicans usually eat around 2pm, sometimes an hour earlier, sometimes an hour later, but NEVER will you have lunch before 12pm. (Make sure to have a big breakfast if you are used to eating lunch at noon or earlier!)

FOOD
Lunch is a heavy meal in Mexico, if not the biggest meal of the day.  Most Mexicans subscribe to the thought "Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper."  It is not uncommon to see people ordering an appetizer, a cut of meat with beans or some other side, and then finishing it off with a dessert. 

ALCOHOL
At business meeting lunches it is common to order a bottle of wine or other alcoholic beverages (tequila!).  Mexico used to have a reputation for it's liquor-fueled lunches, but getting drunk at lunch has lost its appeal and more people are taking it easy so that they can go back to work and get things done.

CONVERSATION
If you have something important to discuss, make sure you leave it to the middle of the meal.  Start off getting to know eachother and eachother's cultures.  Jumping right into business can be a culturally insensitive move that may cost you the deal.

LENGTH OF LUNCH
This is where things get tricky...depending on who you are with, what you are discussing, and how much tequila you have had a business lunch in Mexico can last anywhere from an hour and a half to 6+ hours.  It is not uncommon, especially on Fridays, to see the lunch crowd at a restaurant when the dinner crowd starts to role in.  My point is this: don't budget an hour of time for the lunch because you never know how long it is going to go. 

Mexico Business Etiquette: What to Wear

Figuring out what to wear can be difficult anywhere, but how should you dress when you are doing business in Mexico?  I always tell people who are doing business in Mexico to err on the conservative side, but make sure you are dressing appropriately for your line of work and location. 

For example, if you are meeting with a real estate developer in Cancun, as a male you would want to wear something more casual, like a guayabera and linen pants.  Ladies should wear either a dress or a skirt and nice top.

If you are doing business with anyone in Mexico City, the standard for men is a suit and tie (YES I said tie :)) and the standard for women is a nice blouse with dress pants or a conservative dress.  If it is a more relaxed environment, men should still wear a long sleeve button down, as short sleeves are considered for the beach areas.

The other big cities in Mexico, Monterrey and Guadalajara, seem to have a less formal dress code overall and that is partly to do with the weather being warmer.  Women put a big effort into their appearance all over Mexico which means hair is done, lots of makeup, and jewelry.  You will find that both men and women love fragrance in Mexico,

Please never, ever, ever under any circumstances wear shorts unless you are at the beach on vacation in Mexico!!!

Spring Break: Not Just for Frat Boys Anymore

One of the things that I love about living in Mexico are the holidays.  Every time you turn around, it seems like there is a puente, or 3-day weekend.  Mexicans take their holidays so seriously in fact that the law was changed to move any holiday that falls during a weekday to a Monday (the holiday is still celebrated on the official day, but the "day off" from work and school is that Monday).

Recently, a friend of mine in the U.S. was complaining that no one in Mexico was answering his e-mails or calls.  "What is going on down there?!!!" he said.  And I told him - "We're on Spring Break!"  I explained to my friend that in Mexico, a country that is close to 90% Catholic, Holy Week is a very important week.  Some companies shut down for the entire week, some shut down for Holy Thursday and Good Friday, and others pick and choose when they will be off.  The schools are officialy off for two entire weeks, so some business owners and higher level execs take there families and leave for 2 weeks. 

While this frustrates many foreign business people, I'm all for it.  A well deserved rest is very welcome once April rolls around.  Who says Spring Break has to be just for college kids??

*Photo from USAToday