Puerto Rico | Culture, Etiquette and Customs

The Basics

Puerto Ricans tend to communicate in a loud and direct manner.
Puerto Ricans tend to talk very quickly and loudly and use their hands a great deal when speaking.

Direct eye contact is the norm as it shows respect and interest. Indirect contact could be taken as evasiveness.

People beckon one another by extending an arm and making a scratching motion with their fingers.
Many Puerto Ricans will point by puckering their lips in the direction or person they are referring to.
Wrinkling or scrunching up of your nose usually means, “Huh” or “what?”

Puerto Ricans are tend to be late in business and social situations.
Puerto Ricans tend to place more emphasis on people and relationships than to the strict adherence of set schedules in social and business situations.

Puerto Ricans value equality and work opportunities for women are varied and available yet earnings may still be lower.
Many Puerto Rican families are dual income with both the man and woman working.

The legal drinking and smoking age is 18 and is not always enforced.
Drug laws are strict throughout the country with penalties ranging from heavy fines to length prison sentences.

For men: conservative, dark or medium colored suits with shirts and conservative ties. Depending on the situation, a guayabera shirt with nice slacks clothing may be okay.
For women: stylish yet classic business suits or dresses and blouses. Most women are made-up and usually wear heels.
Jeans and business casual attire are appropriate in some industries.

Their professional title or señor and señora (Mr. and Mrs.) or señorita (miss) plus the surname.
It is advisable, although not required, to have one side of your business card translated into Spanish. Present your business card with the Spanish side facing the recipient.
Titles are very important and it is best to address people directly by using their professional title or and señor or señora (Mr. and Mrs.) or señorita (miss) followed the surname.
There is no specific ritual surrounding the giving of business cards although it is advisable to treat the card with respect.

Puerto Ricans tend to be late, even for business meetings.
There is usually time allotted for small talk.
Meeting agendas are common but not necessarily followed.
It is considered acceptable to interrupt someone who is speaking. This may happen a lot and prolong the meeting.

Puerto Ricans value relationship building and harmony so it is important to avoid hard selling, pressure tactics and any sort of conflict or confrontation.
Puerto Ricans can become animated when negotiating, be sure to not mistake this for aggression.
Decisions are made from the top down and can take sometime.

It is not common to bring gifts to an initial business meeting, although they will be welcome. Avoid anything too expensive.
If you are invited to an Puerto Rican home, good gifts to bring include, a bottle of wine, flowers, or chocolates.
Gifts are usually opened when received.

The school year begins in August and ends in May. Vacations are 2 months long. There is also a Christmas break (the last two weeks of December and until the 7th of January, after Three Kings Day) and a Spring Break (during Holy Week).
Dress is casual at most universities, jeans and t-shirts for men and women. Even shorts and flip-flops.
Various forms of teaching are used.

The guides describe what people tend to do. The work at culturecrossing.net is about what you do.