Business Etiquette in Spain

By: Olivia Watkins and Autumn Lewis

A Little About SpainA Little About Spain

Capital: MadridLanguage: Spanish (Castilian)Religion: Roman CatholicGovernment: Parliamentary Monarchy

A Cultural OverviewA Cultural Overview

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

OverviewOverview

Introduction etiquetteDinner party etiquetteRelationships and CommunicationNegotiation skillsBusiness Meeting etiquetteDress etiquetteGestures and Body language

Introduction EtiquetteIntroduction 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 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 MannersTable MannersDon’t sit down until you’re invited to.Always keep your hands visible while

eating.Don’t 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.

RelationshipsRelationshipsSpaniards 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.

CommunicationCommunication

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.

CommunicationCommunication

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.

Negotiation SkillsNegotiation SkillsHierarchy and rank are very

important to the people in Spain.Decision making is something

that those at the top of the company deal with.

Negotiation SkillsNegotiation Skills

Since Spaniards do not like to lose face, they will not always tell you if they don’t understand something.Spaniards are very detailed in their work.

They will review every minute detail in a contract with you.

Steps to Drawing up a Steps to Drawing up a ContractContract

Step One: Reach a verbal agreement.Step Two: Draw up a formal written contract.

If you make a contract with a company it is in your best interest to fully abide by the rules of that contract.

Business Meeting Business Meeting EtiquetteEtiquette

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 Business Meeting EtiquetteEtiquette

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.

How to Dress for SuccessHow 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.

GesturesGestures

A thumbs up gesture is a good gesture to use when you want to show that things are going well. When you point, use yourwhole hand and not just your index finger.When summoning someone have your palm down and make a pulling motion with all of your fingers together.

Learning about Spain is the Learning about Spain is the first step in our international first step in our international

expansion.expansion.