INDEPENDENCE
REVOLUTION
1810: Mexican Independence
1864 Archduke Maximilian of Austria became emperor of Mexico and ruled for 3 years. 1910-1920: Mexican Revolution
STATISTICS
• Population: 108,700,891 • Territory: 1’964,375 Km.² • Type of Government: Federal Democratic with 31 states and a federal district.
• Currency: Peso (€1 = $16 pesos)
CULTURAL ORIENTATION
• One must know the person before doing business with him/her, the only way to know a person in Mexico is to know the family. • It is extremely important to cultivate personal relations with the right people in the right places. • There are extreme contrast between rich and poor, but Mexico has the largest upper middle class in all Latino American countries.
• Family is very important and comes before everything else. • Mexicans place great value on personal relations and relationships. • Most Mexican men have a macho attitude. • To show respect use Don and Doña • Another form to address in Mexico is Señor, Señora and Señorita. • Mexicans have two family names.
BUSINESS PRACTICE
• Punctuality is expected from foreigners, but usually meeting or appointments would not start until 30 minutes after. • It is always better to confirm assistance one week prior to the meeting. • Business cards are usually exchange after initial introductions. • Make sure you know who has the power to make decisions.
1823 Mexican Republic was declared.
MEXICO 1953 -1994
• 1953: Mexican women granted right to vote in all elections. • 1968: Tlatelolco student murder. • 1985: 8.1(Ritcher Scale) earthquake in Mexico City. • 1994: NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) was signed. (TLCAN).
¡ VIVA MEXICO!
BY LULA AND CECY
OLMECAS
SPANISH COLONY
Mexican culture goes back to the Olmecempires where destroyed by the Spanish, by the year 1521, and as consequence we became a Spanish colony.
• Religion: predominantly 90% are Roman Catholics • Language: the official language is Spanish, but more than a hundred Indian languages are spoken
VALUES & NAMES
“DO’S”
• Be careful when using the words America or American • Try to speak at least a little bit of Spanish. • Show acknowledge and appreciation of Mexican culture. • Personal relationships are very important and most be established before negotiations. • Personalized everything. • Morning appointments are best. • Always greet people otherwise they may be offended.
PROTOCOL
• Men will shake hands in greeting. Women will often pat each other on the right forehand or shoulder. • If they are close they may hug or kiss each other on the cheek. • Be prepared for a hug on the second or third meeting. • At a party, Mexicans give a slight nod to everyone as they enter the room. • Conversations take place at a much closer physical distance. Pulling away from your counterpart may be regarded as unfriendly.