BUSINESS CULTURE AND TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

A. BUSINESS MEETINGS
Personal relationships are key to business success and the only way to know a person in
Mexico is to know the family. Mexicans first and foremost do business with people they can
relate to and not just with impersonal organizations. Allow time to develop your business
relations. Trust is very important and it will take time to establish trust.
Mexicans often mix business with leisure and will often invite business associates and their
families to their home during the weekend. These types of activities are important to
Mexicans and help to build the trust required for long-term business relations. Keep in mind
the Mexican saying "North Americans live to work, but Mexicans work to live!" Respect
their sense of time and traditions. Become sensitive to the pace and tone used in Mexico.
B. CULTURAL PROFILING (SOCIAL CUSTOMS)
Mexico is a very class-conscious society where social stratifications are well-defined. Upper
class Mexicans will not dirty their hands with tasks they find beneath them. A sense of
fatalism is quite strong among many Mexicans, who feel that their path through life is largely
preordained. Macho attitudes are inculcated in Mexican males almost from birth, and
machismo plays a pervasive role in shaping Mexican culture.

Mexicans put a high value on hierarchy and structure in business and family matters.
Especially outside of cities, families are typically large and Mexicans are very conscious of
their responsibilities to immediate family members and extended family such as cousins and
even close friends.
Do's

Don'ts

Shake hands or give a slight bow when Mexicans generally stand close together
introduced.
when conversing. Do not show signs of
discomfort, which would be considered rude
by Mexican counterpart.
Bow when greeting a Mexican woman.
Shake hands only if she extends her hand
first.
Do not leave the table immediately after you
are finished eating.

Men shake hands until they know someone

well, at which time they progress to the more Do not show up on time for a social

traditional hug and back slapping.

engagement -- you will be the only one who

does, and will most likely be waiting for a
very long time

women pat each other on the right forearm or

shoulder, rather than shake hands
Do not refuse if offered something to drink
(usually coffee) when engaging in business.
This would be seen as an insult.

Men should always wear a shirt and tie,

except at casual affairs.
Do not give marigolds as they symbolize
death

Both men and women should dress

conservatively. Recommended colors are Do not give red flowers as they have a
navy and dark gray.
negative connotation

Women should always wear make-up.

Do not sit down until you are invited to and

told where to sit.

Any attempt to speak Spanish is appreciated.

Do not include an attorney on negotiating
team
Always keep both hands above the table
when dining.

If you do not speak Spanish, hire an

interpreter.

It is polite to leave some food on your plate

after a meal.

Wait until invited before using a Mexican's

first name

Concerns for safety and security in Mexico have risen steadily over the past decade and
various foreign governments have cautioned travelers to Mexico to pay special attention to
these matters. Generally standards of security, safety and supervision may not reach those
expected by residents of some of the more developed nations. Crime in Mexico remains at
high levels (compared to many first-world crime rates) and the rates of apprehension and
conviction remain low, factors that contribute to the feelings of insecurity.

Drug-related violence in Mexico has increased over recent years. The violence is
concentrated in specific areas, and some regions are almost completely spared. Make sure
you research your destination thoroughly.

C. GREETINGS
The overwhelming majority of Mexicans today speak Spanish. According to the CIA,
Spanish is spoken by 92.7 percent of the Mexican population. About 6 percent of the
population speaks Spanish and indigenous languages, such as Mayan, Nahuatl and other
regional languages. Indigenous Mexican words have even become common in other
languages, including English. For example, chocolate, coyote, tomato and avocado all
originated in Nahuatl.

Mexicans are polite and formal when interacting with people they do not know well. When
speaking to an elder or to someone with whom you will have a professional relationship, it is
customary to use the formal pronoun usted instead of the informalt. Most English speakers
find themselves a bit daunted by the use of usted, uncertain of when it is appropriate and
when it is overkill. When in doubt, you can always err on the side of caution by
usingusted with anyone other than children and close friends.

When addressing someone you dont know well, it is common practice to speak to that
person using a polite title, such as seor for a man, seora for a married or older woman,

and seorita for a young woman. When speaking with a professional, Mexicans may also use
the persons professional title, such as doctor or doctora (doctor), arquitecto (architect),
or ingeniero (engineer). The title licenciado or licenciada is often used to address a college
graduate, as a term of respect. In addition, the term maestro, which means both master and
teacher, can be used when addressing a skilled tradesman or a teacher.

When greeting someone in Mexico, it is customary to make physical contact, rather than
simply saying hello. A handshake is the most common form of greeting between strangers,
though friends will usually greet each other with a single kiss on the cheek or a quick hug.
The same physical gestures are repeated when you say good-bye. When greeting a group of
people, it is necessary to greet and shake hands with each person individually, rather than
address the group together

Even in big cities, Mexicans will often treat each other with respect and courtesy. If you need
to squeeze past someone on a bus or reach for a tomato over his shoulder at the market, it is
customary to say con permiso (with your permission). If you accidentally bump into someone
(or do anything else that warrants a mild apology), say perdn (sorry). It is common courtesy
to make eye contact and greet the salesperson when you enter a store, as well as to greet other
diners in a restaurant when you enter. Commonly, Mexicans will say discuple (forgive me)
before asking a question of a stranger.

Mexicans like to please, and, as a result, they are often reluctant to give a negative or
unpleasant response. For example, if the mechanic doesnt think he can fix your transmission,
he is unlikely to tell you so right away. You may not hear the full truth until the next day,
when you come to pick up your car and learn its time to buy a new transmission. As a result,
foreigners occasionally perceive Mexicans as evasive, misleading, or even dishonest.
However, the motive isnt deception, but the desire to avoid unpleasantness. Certainly, it can
be frustrating to those whod like to get a straight answer right away, but youll only
complicate matters further by becoming excessively angry when the truth becomes clear.

D. TRADITIONAL ATTIRE

Non-existence of the national religion in the Mexican constitution has not completely
eradicated the influences of the denomination and beliefs from the typical Mexican culture.
But on the other side, this is also true that the Mexican people have gone through exceptional

change-over in their customs, traditions and life-style over the last century. After
the Spanish arrival, Christianity was spread rapidly and today, almost ninety per cent of
the Mexicans have Roman Catholic beliefs. But one should not forget that the reflection of
the indigenous and pre-Hispanic Maya civilization is still prominent on the Mexican culture.
All these factors developed a pure multi-ethnic and multi-continental society in Mexico.

Traditional dress of Mexico is a blend of indigenous and imported cultures. Mexico is not a
small country. It has a wide and diversified geography coupled with the variation in the
climate. So there is tremendous variety in the clothing of the Mexican population that varies
from region to region.

Like many other Spanish-speaking countries, the Mexican people also useponcho as
traditional clothing. Poncho is a large blanket type fabric with an opening in the center for the
head and often it has an extra piece of fabric serving as a hood. The main purpose is to avoid
rain and to keep the body warm. Similarly, Baja jackets are also popular traditional wear
made with a variety of different materials, like cotton, acrylic and polyester.

One of the favorite traditional attires worn by the Mexican men is a blanket-like shawl which
is known as Serape or Sarape. Although Serape is nowadays available in various colors and
design patterns, however the typical colors of serapes are black, grey or brown.

On the other side, the Mexicans often prefer to wear the traditional pointy boots and winkle
pickers as the formal foot-wear. The feature that gives both the boot and shoes their name is
the very sharp and long pointed toe.

There are many other traditional dresses that were flourished among the Mexicans in the most
recent era. These dresses are commonly worn by the Mexicans, particularly women in
different dances, cultural events and national ceremonies. Charreria which is a popular sport
in Mexico, the women wear a very wide skirt that makes waves with stripes in the middle that
forms a star, and more stripes at the bottom end. This is usually called Jalisco style dress.

Traditional costume in different sub-national tribes.

Oaxaca: The people of the state of Oaxaca in Mexico who can be sub-divided in different
indigenous groups, still love to wear the hand-woven garments made with crafted textiles.
There is distinction in the textile features of different indigenous groups but most of the fibers
are hand-spun from cotton or locally cultivated silk. Butterfly and floral patterns are common
and flashy in these regional motifs.

Yucatan: Typical Yucatecan women normally wear white cotton long blouses whatre
decorated in cross-stitch with brilliant colors and magnificent designs. The guayabera is
usually worn by the Yucatecan men which is also known as Wedding Shirt. Originally,
this outfit was white in color and it was made with linen and cotton but today, it is available
in many different colors

Maya: Maya culture and civilization is reflected with the clothing of the people of Quintana
Roo state which is located in the southeastern Mexico, particularly in their ritual celebrations
and festivities. For many centuries, the Maya women are wearing the rectangularshaped huipil having a hole in the middle which is typically worn as a blouse. The garment is
sometimes embellished around the neck, in the shape of a cross.

Maya men wear shirt along with wide-woven belts called mecapal, hats and cloths known
as tzute, decorated with embroidery and worn over their shoulders. The same trend can be
seen in the indigenous population of the Campeche statein the Yucatan Peninsula. The
Campeche women wear ankle-long skirts with embroidery designed like onions and pumpkin
flowers. They also use the typical rebozo or headscarf.

Rebozo was traditionally used by the indigenous Mexican women to carry babies and other
house-hold goods and it is a long and flat garment. Normally, it is worn folded around the
head or upper body to shade from the sun, provide warmth and as an accessory to an outfit.
Rebozo is traditionally hand woven, distinguished by complicated finger woven fringes
called rapacejos.

Chiapas: The Chiapas women have some sort of distinctive hand-made outfits consisting of
wide colorful skirts with decorated flowery stripes embroidered in silk or similar thread

(articela). Nowadays, the dancers amuse the tourists wearing these long dresses in cheerful
manners

Michoacn: Michoacn women have more descent approach in clothing. They normally
prefer long blouses with embroidered bottoms and collars. They also use a belt strapped on
the back along with a rebozo. Nicely stitched apron is another article which is worn by them
in their clothing.

E. DINING AND INVITATION ETIQUETTE

Business entertainment is very important and it is during these events that personal
relationships should be developed. Businesspeople are often invited to visit the home of their
Mexican counterparts. On your first visit to a Mexican home, it is best to wear business attire
unless specifically told otherwise. Dont show up on time for a social engagement -- you will
be the only one who does, and will most likely be waiting for a very long time (possibly
hours).
At the table look for place cards, or wait until the host seats you. The most honored position
is at the head of the table, with the most important guest seated immediately to the right of
the host (women to the right of the host, and men to the right of the hostess). If there is a
hosting couple, one will be at each end of the table.
The fork and spoon above your plate are for dessert. Always start from the outside and work
your way in, course by course. There will be separate glasses provided at your setting for
water, and white and red wine or beer (after-dinner drink glasses come out after dinner).
Bread is placed on the rim of your main plate or on the table by your plate. When not holding
utensils, your hands are expected to be visible above the table: this means you do not keep
them in your lap; instead, rest your wrists on top of the table (never your elbows). Pass all
dishes to your left. Never cut the lettuce in a salad: fold it with your knife and fork into a
bundle that can be picked up with your fork. Any salad will usually be served after the main
course.
Do not begin eating until the host says, "Buen provecho!". Mexicans do not switch knives
and forks. The knife remains in the right hand, and the fork remains in the left. When the
meal is finished, the knife and fork are laid parallel to each other across the right side of the
plate. Always keep both hands above the table.
Usually the one who does the inviting pays the bill. Sometimes other circumstances
determine who pays (such as rank). To reciprocate, invite your Mexican counterparts to
dinner at a nice restaurant (French or Italian are your best bets). Pay in advance to avoid
arguments about the bill. A 10 percent tip is usually sufficient in restaurants. Don't leave the
table immediately after you are finished eating.
Drinking to excess is frowned upon in Mexico, especially when it's done by women.
Customarily, only men propose toasts; foreign women normally shouldn't offer toasts. To
drink tequila properly, you will be served a small plate of salt and a wedge of fresh lime.
First, take a pinch of salt with your right hand and put it in the hollow formed in your left

hand when you hold your left-hand thumb and crooked index finger together horizontally.
Raise your left hand to your lips and lick the salt out of the hollow with one swipe of your
tongue. Drink the entire shot of tequila at once. Immediately bite into the lime wedge and
suck on the juice. (The lime actually sweetens the flavor in your mouth).
NAME
Sir Winston Churchill's
Contramar
Pujol
Jaguar Ceviche Spoon
Bar & Latam Grill

LOCATION
Blvd. Manuel Avila Camacho 67, Polanco,
Mexico City 11560, Mexico
Durango 200, Col. Roma Norte, Mexico
City, Mexico
Francisco Petrarca 254, Polanco, Mexico
City 11570, Mexico
(Horacio)
Ave. Javier Barros Sierra #540 Torre 1, P.B
| Before Westin Hotel, Mexico City 01210,
Mexico

Specialty
British Cuisine
Authentic Mexican
Cuisine
Mexican Cuisine, Fusion
Seafood & Grill, Latin,
South American,
Gastronomic Concept

F. HOW TO GET THERE?

There is only one way to enter Mexico comfortably,that is by plane.
Flights
DEPARTURE

VIA

DESTINATION

Amsterdam
(AMS)
Kuala Lumpur
(KLM),
Amsterdam
(AMS)
Singapore (SIN),
Frankfurt (FRA)

Mexico City
(MEX)
Mexico City
(MEX)

Jakarta (CGK)

Bangkok
(DMK),
Frankfurt (FRA)

Mexico City
(MEX)

Jakarta (CGK)

Tokyo (HND),
Los Angeles
(LAX)

Mexico City
(MEX)

Jakarta (CGK)

Hong Kong
(HKG), Los
Angeles (LAX)

Mexico City
(MEX)

Jakarta (CGK)
Jakarta (CGK)

Jakarta (CGK)

Mexico City
(MEX)

PERIOD OF
FLIGHT
34h15m (incl.
transit)
37h (incl.
transit)
Between
36h50m and
42h45m (incl.
transit)
Between
36h50m and
42h45m (incl.
transit)
Between
29h15m and
35h53m (incl.
transit)
28h30m (incl.
transit)

AIRLINE
Garuda
Indonesia
KLM Royal
Dutch Airlines
Singapore
AirlinesLufthansa
Thai AirwaysLufthansa
Japan AirlinesAmerican
Airlines
Cathay Pacific

G. HOTEL RECOMMENDATION
NAME
LOCATION
The St. Regis
Paseo de la Reforma
Mexico City
439, Col.
Cuauhtemoc,
Mexico City 06500,
Mexico

FACILITY
PRICE*
Free High Speed
IDR 6.013.133
Internet ( WiFi );
Pool; Fitness Center
with Gym/Workout
Room; Bar/Lounge;
Tennis Court
JW Marriott Hotel
Andres Bello 29,
Shuttle pick-up; bar;
IDR 5.615.519
Mexico City
Mexico City 11560,
business center;
Mexico
meeting room;
restaurant; hot tub;
swimming pool;
gym; tennis court;
spa facility; free wifi
Hyatt Regency
Campos Eliseos No. Shuttle pick-up; bar;
IDR 2.515.000
Mexico City
204, Polanco
business center;
Chapultepec, Mexico
meeting room;
City 11560, Mexico
restaurant;
swimming pool;
gym; free wi-fi
Hilton Mexico City
Antonio Dovali
Free High Speed
IDR 2.411.150
Santa Fe
Jaime No. 70,
Internet ( WiFi );
Mexico City 1219,
Pool; Fitness Center
Mexico
with Gym/Workout
Room; Bar/Lounge
Four Seasons
Paseo de la Reforma
Free High Speed
IDR 6.889.000
Mexico City
500, Colonia Jurez,
Internet ( WiFi );
Mexico City 06600, Pool; Fitness Center
Mexico
with Gym/Workout
Room; Bar/Lounge;
Pet Friendly
Hotel Catedral
Donceles #95, Col.
Free High Speed
IDR 1.498.854
Centro, Mexico City
Internet ( WiFi );
06020, Mexico
Free Parking;
Rooftop Terrace
Sheraton Mexico
Paseo de la Reforma
Free High Speed
IDR 2.123.000
City Maria Isabel
325, Col.
Internet ( WiFi );
Hotel
Cuauhtemoc,
Pool; Fitness Center
Distrito Federal,
with Gym/Workout
Mexico City 06500, Room; Bar/Lounge;
Mexico
Pet Friendly
*The rates above are for one room that can be occupied by 2 persons. Prices are vary between
dates and might be changed without notice. Prices are based on Trip Advisor for time of stay
on Feb 2nd-Apr 2th 2016.
H. VISA

Mexicos policy for foreign visitors requires travellers (business/leisure) from most countries
to apply for visa prior to their departure.

Telephone

Embassy of Mexico to the Republic

of Indonesia
Federico Salas
JI. Gatot Subroto Kav. 9-11, Menara
Mulia, Suite 2306, Jakarta, 12930,
Indonesia
+62 (21) 520-3980

Fax
Email/
Website

+62 (21) 520-3978

http://embamex.sre.gob.mx/indonesia/
index.php

Ambassador
Address

Embassy of the Republic

of Indonesia to Mexico
Yusra Khan
Calle Julio Verne No. 27,
Colonial Polanco, Mexico
11560
(+52) 55 280-5748
(+52) 55 280-6363
(+52) 55 280-7062
mexicocity.kemlu.go.id