Business in Peru
Time
Monochronic vs Polychronic
Monochronic: Emphasis on linearity, one activity at a time, schedule based, and stricter with time constraints and predefined schedules
Polychronic: More fluid, multi-tasking, flexibility in taking on and arranging tasks and activities
The Peruvian culture has always tended to be more fluid and flexible, especially when it comes to the context of time. Punctuality is not as important and lateness is acceptable and even expected. In certain settings, a host will be sure to build in this extra time to give their guests an adequate estimate of when to show up.
Ex: Host to guests for a party: "Arrive at 6pm" = "Come at 8pm"
In cases where punctuality is important, there are ways to express this explicit meaning such as:
"7pm American time"
Which directly states that the meeting is to start at 7pm on the dot as compared to "Peruvian time."
Naturally, Peruvians also tend to be more geared towards multi-tasking when completing activities in their fluid time schedules.
Small talk and relationship building are also extremely important. When in a business setting, Americans like to get down to business immediately, engaging in small talk only as necessary, and completing activities in a very linear fashion.
Peruvians like to build the relationship first, learning about each other, and expecting much more small talk than an American may be accustomed to before seeing to the matter of business.
How important/ common is it to use gestures to describe speech?