Business Etiquette in

Spain

By: Iulia Preotescu

A Little About Spain

Capital: Madrid
Language: Spanish (Castilian)
Religion: Roman Catholic
Government: Parliamentary
Monarchy

A Cultural Overview
Family is the most important
component of daily life.
Men and Women are very equal in
the Spanish society.

Overview
Introduction etiquette
Dinner party etiquette
Relationships and Communication
Negotiation skills
Business Meeting etiquette
Dress etiquette
Gestures and Body language

Overview
Introduction etiquette
Dinner party etiquette
Relationships and Communication
Negotiation skills
Business Meeting etiquette
Dress etiquette
Gestures and Body language

Overview
Introduction etiquette
Dinner party etiquette
Relationships and Communication
Negotiation skills
Business Meeting etiquette
Dress etiquette
Gestures and Body language

Overview
Introduction etiquette
Dinner party etiquette
Relationships and Communication
Negotiation skills
Business Meeting etiquette
Dress etiquette
Gestures and Body language

Overview
Introduction etiquette
Dinner party etiquette
Relationships and Communication
Negotiation skills
Business Meeting etiquette
Dress etiquette
Gestures and Body language

Introduction Etiquette
When you are introduced shake
hands.
Men sometimes use a two-handed
shake in which the left hand is
placed on the right forearm of the
other person.
People are referred to as Don or
Dona followed by their first name.

Dinner Party Etiquette

When you are invited to a dinner
party, it is appropriate to bring a gift.
Some gifts could include: chocolates,
pastries, or cakes; wine, liqueur, or
brandy; and flowers.
If your hostesses have children, you
should also bring a small gift for them,
as they will be included in the night.

Table Manners
Dont sit down until youre invited to.
Always keep your hands visible while
eating.
Dont begin eating until the hostess
starts.
Indicate you are finished by laying your
knife and parallel on your plate.
Allow the guest of honor to leave the
table first.

Overview
Introduction etiquette
Dinner party etiquette
Relationships and Communication
Negotiation skills
Business Meeting etiquette
Dress etiquette
Gestures and Body language

Overview
Introduction etiquette
Dinner party etiquette
Relationships and Communication
Negotiation skills
Business Meeting etiquette
Dress etiquette
Gestures and Body language

Foods
Cheap, substantial meals
as opposed to gourmet
Tapas
Serrano Ham
Fish delicacies (Paella)
Continental breakfast,
light lunch, late evening
meal

Fiestas and Traditions

Each town has their
own celebrations
Celebrate national
holidays such as
Christmas, Easter, All
Saints Day, ect.
Majority of festivities
are religious based

Bullfighting
The National
Sport of Spain
711 AD
24,000 bulls are
killed each year

Relationships
Spaniards like to do business with people
that they know and trust.
You need to spend enough time with your
colleagues to establish trust.
Relationships will remain no matter what
company you are with.

Communication
Face-to-face contact is better than
telephoning or writing letters.
Your presentation of self is going to
be very important with dealing with
the people of Spain.
Modesty is important to the Spaniards.

Communication
Avoid confrontation if it is possible.
Spaniards do not like to publically admit
that they are wrong.

Spaniards like to look good in the

eyes of others.
Communication is formal when
dealing with Spaniards.

Overview
Introduction etiquette
Dinner party etiquette
Relationships and Communication
Negotiation skills
Business Meeting etiquette
Dress etiquette
Gestures and Body language

Overview
Introduction etiquette
Dinner party etiquette
Relationships and Communication
Negotiation skills
Business Meeting etiquette
Dress etiquette
Gestures and Body language

Negotiation Skills
Since Spaniards do not like to lose
face, they will not always tell you if
they dont understand something.
Spaniards are very detailed in their
work.
They will review every minute detail in a
contract with you.

Business Meeting Etiquette

All appointments should be made far
in advance.
The first meetings are formal and are
used to get acquainted.
When you go to a meeting, make
sure that printed information is on
hand in English and Spanish.

Business Meeting Etiquette

You are responsible for hiring an
interpreter if needed.
More than one person may speak at
once.
Most Spaniards will not give their
opinion at a meeting.

Overview
Introduction etiquette
Dinner party etiquette
Relationships and Communication
Negotiation skills
Business Meeting etiquette
Dress etiquette
Gestures and Body language

Overview
Introduction etiquette
Dinner party etiquette
Relationships and Communication
Negotiation skills
Business Meeting etiquette
Dress etiquette
Gestures and Body language

How to Dress for Success

You need to dress
stylish but
conservative.
Both men and
women need to carry
elegant accessories.
Stand up straight
and speak firmly to
show confidence.