Peruvians are generally considered to be very warm and friendly to strangers, However, there are some

cultural differences in etiquette that can be off-putting for visitors and some of our manners can strike
Peruvians as unusual as well. We hope this guide to Peruvian etiquette will help you avoid any
uncomfortable situations.
Expats often joke about Peruvian time, but its true that if youre invited to a party or out for dinner or drinks,
you arent really expected until at least 30 minutes after the arranged time and an hour late isnt out of the
norm.

Gifts for the Host: If youre invited to someones home for dinner or a party, apart from showing up
fashionably late, its considered proper to bring a small gift for the host and hostess. A small box of
chocolates or sweets, flowers or a bottle of wine are all appropriate gifts. However, dont bring any thing that
may be considered extravagant or expensive it can be overwhelming for your host, who may feel they need
to reciprocate in kind.
Proper Attire: You may notice in Peru that the people tend to dress a bit more formally than you might be
accustomed to. Jeans are becoming more common, but when in doubt its always better to use dressier
clothes slacks or pressed khakis for men, dress pants or skirts/dresses for women are nearly always
appropriate. T-shirts, shorts and flipflops or sandals are rarely used, and definitely not for parties or going
out.
Tipping: While Peruvians rarely tip in restaurants, there is no rule that says you cant if youre pleased with
the service, and it will be very much appreciated. Taxies arent usually tipped, and remember to negotiate
the price before you get in the cab. Do tip hotel porters and bagboys at the airport.
Greetings: Its considered polite to always greet people properly, even shopkeepers and taxi drivers, no
matter how long youve been acquainted. A simple buenos dias is sufficient, and dont forget an hasta
luego when you leave. When being introduced, a handshake is appropriate in most situations, although
women may greet each other with a kiss on the cheek always lean to your left for the kiss to avoid a very
awkward situation!

When in doubt about the proper etiquette, as long as you treat people kindly and with respect you cant go
wrong.
Avoiding Offense -- In Peru, you should be tactful when discussing local politics, though open discussion of
the corruption of past presidents and terrorism in Peru is perfectly acceptable and unlikely to engender
heated debate. Discussion of drugs (and coca-plant cultivation) and religion should be handled with great
tact. Visitors should understand that chewing coca leaves (or drinking coca tea) is not drug use but a longstanding cultural tradition in the Andes.
In a country in which nearly half the population is Amerindian, expressing respect for native peoples is
important.
Greetings -- When entering a shop or home, always use an appropriate oral greeting (buenos das, or good
day; buenas tardes, or good afternoon; buenas noches, or good night). Similarly, upon leaving, it is polite to
say goodbye (Adios or Hasta luego), even to shop owners with whom you've had minimal contact. Peruvians
often shake hands upon leaving as well as greeting.
Photographing military, police, or airport installations is strictly forbidden. Many churches, convents, and
museums also do not allow photography or video.
Photography -- With their vibrant dress and expressive faces and festivals, Peruvians across the country
make wonderful subjects for photographs. In some heavily touristed areas, such as the Sunday market in
Pisac outside of Cusco, locals have learned to offer photo ops for a price at every turn. Some foreigners

hand out money and candy indiscriminately, while others grapple with the unseemliness of paying for every
photo. Asking for a tip in return for being the subject of a photograph is common in many parts of Peru; in
fact, some locals patrol the streets with llamas and kids in tow to pose for photographs as their main source
of income. Often it's more comfortable to photograph people you have made an effort to talk to, rather than
responding to those who explicitly beg to be your subject. I usually give a small tip (50 centavos to S/1, or
35) if it appears that my camera has been an intrusion or nuisance, or especially if I've snapped several
shots.

Punctuality -- Punctuality is not one of the trademarks of Peru or Latin America in general. Peruvians are
customarily a half-hour late to most personal appointments, and it is not considered very bad form to leave
someone hanging in a cafe for up to an hour. It is expected, so if you have a meeting scheduled, unless a
strict hora inglesa (English hour) is specified, be prepared to wait.
Learning some simple Spanish phrases will enable you to do this, as it is considered good manners to greet
someone with a salutation such as buenos dias (good day). Smiling is also important in making a good first
impression
Peruvians tend to be formal and conservative, and this is especially so around the Andes region.
Eye contact with visitors to the community will often be minimal. It is therefore bad etiquette to stare or make
continual eye contact. You should respect the modesty and reserved nature of many Amerindian
communities, so adhering to similar behaviour and modest dress codes would be seen as a sign of respect.
Peru has many awe-inspiring landscapes and historical landmarks. It is pe Most of the time, you will be able
to freely take photographs, but always check that it is appropriate before you start snapping away. Also be
aware that some religious buildings prohibit the use of cameras and videorfectly acceptable to photograph
many aspects of Peruvian culture.s. Most buildings pertaining to military or governmental activities will be
strictly out of bounds as far as photography is concerned.
If photographing a particular person, you should always ask your subject beforehand to ascertain if this is
OK. Usually, the answer will be yes, but you should be aware that in some instances, it is expected that your
subject will ask for a tip in return. You can offer a small amount of money if you feel that you have
inconvenience them at all.

Peru is a friendly place, is generally nice to its visitors, and tries to make them feel welcome. Don't fret!
Simply take the time to learn a little about what makes the Peruvian culture special and different and you are
well on your way to success!
While many managers will display some English ability, most business meetings in Peru are conducted in
Spanish. Be prepared to have a translator with you at all times especially when negotiating. Also, use any
Spanish knowledge you have to impress and ingratiate yourself with your local partners.
Generally, business dress is professional but conservative. Men wear suits and the women wear dresses or
suits. Peruvians tend to respect tose who dress well.
DON'T" conversation topics: Politics, religion, terrorists, and a person's ancestry.

Don't refuse dinner invitations, don't refuse to eat something when you're the guest, don't put
your feet on a chair, desk, or table, don't put your elbows on the table while eating, don't place
your hands in your lap (keep your hands on the table!) and don't cross your legs by resting your

ankle of one leg on the opposite knee.

Business dress is smart and conservative, as in most of the world. Dont forget to call people by their proper
title - you should always use seor/seora in business situations unless you know the person youre
speaking to well. Lawyers will go by Doctor/Doctora.
Normal business hours are from 8am until 6pm - this may seem long, but Peruvians nearly always take an
extended lunch (as in most hispanic countries) from approximately 1pm until 3pm.
Peruvians respect and appreciate those who dress well. When in doubt, stay conservative and formal.
Titles are very important and it is best to address people directly by using their professional title only. If they
do not have professional titles like, Doctor, Lawyer, etc, they should be addressed as Seor, Seora,
Seorita, plus their surnames.
If invited to a Peruvian home, it is appropriate to bring flowers (avoid black & purple), wine, good quality
liquor, or chocolates.
Make sure that gifts are nicely wrapped and expect that they may be opened right away
It is extremely rude to refuse a dinner invitation. It is also rude to refuse to eat something when you are the
guest.
Most Peruvians enjoy partying, socializing and having fun and alcohol is an accepted part of life, even with
parents drinking with kids etc.
Driving is an adventure throughout the country and one should be aware of chaotic driving situations.
Most people are very concerned with appearances and do not want to say anything that might reflect badly
on them. Therefore, they are diplomatic in what they say and will not always say what they are thinking.
Religion plays an important role in the daily life of many Peruvians. Over 80% of the population actively
participate in the Catholic religion. Many festivals and holidays are centred around Catholic traditions and
typically involve cultural dances, music and traditional Peruvian cuisine. Some holidays such as Alasitas
involve combining traditions of Catholicism mixed in with indigenous beliefs.
While many Peruvians, especially high level executives, have a working knowledge of English, it is wise to
bring an interpreter to meetings if you do not have a proficient knowledge of the language.
Initial introductions in Peruvian business are informal. A handshake is the standard greeting. When the
business relationship turns into a friendship, a kiss on the cheek or a hug is not uncommon and should also
be exchanged upon leaving
Business attire is formal, professional and conservative. Men typically wear business suits with ties and
women wear suits or dresses.
DO address your Peruvian business colleagues with the appropriate title. If you are unsure of the exact title,
it is important to use Seor or Seora followed by his or her fathers surname as opposed to using the
entire name. Only use first names once invited to do so
When invited to a Peruvians home, it is considered polite to bring a small gift. Flowers or sweets are
appropriate gifts.
While Peruvians will appreciate it if you show you know about their culture and traditions, they will avoid
conversations around politics so do not bring this up.
In formal business settings, its best to wait until someone invites you to use first names.
5 Key Conversation Tips

 Its considered appropriate to talk about family and children when getting to know each other
Discussing local traditions and cuisine
Talking about the sights youve seen in Peru, such as Machu-Picchu
Appreciation of the wealth of Peruvian history, art, and culture
Food and restaurants in the particular area you are visiting
5 Key Conversation Taboos
Inquiring about a persons ancestry, especially if it is Indian
The Peruvian government and politics
Terrorist activity or drug trafficking
Criticism of Peru or Peruvian ways
Prices that have been paid for Peruvian items
Family Events: you may need slightly more formal clothing for a family event, mainly as a sign of respect.
Religious Events: Again, edge towards formal attire, especially when entering a religious building pants
rather than shorts, shoes rather than sandals. Not essential, perhaps, but its good to show respect.
professional habits may differ from one country to another. In order to help newly arrived expats better
understand their new professional environment in Peru, we warmly encourage you to share
information and insights about the dos and donts in the workplace.
Meetings & GreetingsHandshakes are an acceptable form of greeting; however, there is a difference when
greeting an Amerindian and a Peruvian. The former are less extroverted and may not actually shake
hands but rather brush hands with minimum of contact. Peruvians are more exuberant in their
greetings and shake hands on meeting and taking leave. The common form of greeting is a cheerful
Buenos dias (good day), buenas tardes (good afternoon) or buenas noches (good night) depending
on time of day. Conversation on first meeting should hover around light, non-controversial topics
such as health of family, the sights youve enjoyed seeing, or food you liked particularly.
Gift Giving
Peruvians are very friendly hospitable people and have no qualms inviting friends to their homes. If you
receive such an invitation, it is acceptable to arrive with a gift. This gift should not be too expensive or flashy.
Rather than going for local fare it would be a better idea to gift some souvenir or packaged goodies from your
own country.
Visiting a homeWhen visiting a home it is proper to arrive with a suitable gift. This could be a box of
chocolates or a good bottle of wine. Punctuality is not a virtue in Peru and people may be late by a better
part of an hour. So be prepared to dine late.
Business Dress
In Peru, it is important to dress professionally and conservatively. Men are expected to wear suits with ties
and women pant suits, skirts or dresses. Another factor in dressing for success in this country is to have
shined shoes.
Peru is a large country with different rules in different areas and social groups
Tipping
It's customary to add an extra 10% if the service has been satisfactory. Most Peruvians only tip one or two
Soles at small "mom and pop" restaurants that do not add a tip to the bill.
It is true that Peruvians are not big tippers, however, tipping is a great way to show your appreciation to the
people serving you and to have your dollars go straight into the pockets of the people that need it most, a 10
to 20% tip will be warmly accepted at any restaurant and will put a surprised smile on a person's face.
Taxis do not expect tips. Fares are negotiated prior to initiating the trip.
The high-end restaurants will expect you to wear something else than jeans or Bermudas. A nice pair of
pants and a long sleeve shirt will do much better. In winter time you will look sharper by using a blazer or a
leather jacket.
Dining Out

You can ask for non-smoking areas at the restaurants. Be sure you make reservations ahead of time,
specially for dinner at well known restaurants. You will be surprised at how crowded they get.
Peruvians are not known for their punctuality. If you are invited to a house, you will normally be expected to
arrive at least 30 minutes after the invitation time. You should bring a bottle of wine or flowers or chocolates
for the house-lady. Wear nice clothing, do not come wearing jeans unless you know your hosts pretty well
and they say so. If you are invited for lunch , food will normally be served after 3 pm, for dinner after 10 pm.
General Courtesy
If you want to impress your Peruvian girlfriend and future parents-in-law be sure you are always courteous to
her. Open her car door before you get in. You should do the same upon arrival to your destination.
Ladies always before you, when entering an elevator or a room.
When a lady sitting next to you at a restaurant stands up, you are also expected to do the same. When she
returns to the table, you should also stand up.
When wine or drinks are poured, everyone waits to be served and everyone says "salud" before you start
drinking.
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