Rarely has outside influence affected Paraguay, mainly because it is a landlocked country in South America. Due to the heavy Spanish dominance in the area, Paraguay’s business etiquette is very similar to most Spanish speaking countries.
The culture of Paraguay effects many aspects of business. Knowledge of business etiquette specific to Paraguay is essential to successful business transactions.
Greetings and Conversations
Greetings in Paraguay are closely related to the standard Hispanic welcome. Business men and women typically shake hands when meeting. Paraguayans will hug and/or kiss on both cheeks when greeting family and friends. During introductions, be sure to refer to yourself as a United States citizen or North American instead of simply saying American so you do not offend them.
Meetings
Business meetings in Paraguay are surprisingly timely. Visiting participants in the meeting are expected to be on time or early. Normally, meetings start between ten and twenty minutes late. This may be because Paraguayans tend to make non-business related small talk before the meeting begins. If you cannot consistently attend all business occasions in Paraguay, be sure to hire a reliable local representative. The representative needs to be capable of participating in all business relating to your company. If you send a person other than the original representative, previous negotiations will be considered null and the entire negotiating process will have to start from the beginning.
Dress
When in Paraguay, always be well groomed. Regardless of what social class a Paraguayan falls, he or she will always be clean and well dressed. Most Paraguayans dress conservatively. Hair and nails are also important aspects of presentation. You will be judged on your appearance, so consistently dress nicely in any social or business situation in Paraguay. During business activities, men should wear dark suits and ties and women should wear suits and dresses. After the initial meeting, follow your Paraguayan contact’s style of attire.
