Puerto Rican business culture is a unique blend of Latin American characteristics and North American drive. Expats doing business in Puerto Rico should be aware of cross-cultural sensitivity, and maintain an awareness of etiquette and customs.
Fast facts
Business hours
9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Business language
Both Spanish and English are used.
Dress
Dress code varies depending on the industry. Businesspeople tend to dress in dark suits, while workwear in other sectors is often much more casual.
Gifts
Gifts aren't expected, but will be welcomed if given. It is best to avoid anything too expensive. If invited to a Puerto Rican home, opt for safe choices, like a bottle of wine, flowers, or chocolates. They are usually opened when received.
Gender equality
Although Puerto Ricans value equality, machismo, a concept that describes amplified masculinity and the dominance of males, is still prevalent on the island. As a result, women are underrepresented in leadership positions.
Business culture in Puerto Rico
Puerto Ricans value the concept of family highly, and this is reflected in local business culture. They prefer to do business with those they know and trust, often including family and friends.
In addition, there is a tendency for Puerto Ricans to treat their business colleagues as family, which requires getting to know colleagues well. Long lunches and dinners that go beyond normal working hours are the norm. These informal meetings will help you build up credibility and establish trust.
Hierarchy
The Puerto Rican work environment is defined by a clear, top-down hierarchical structure. Proposals and information must go up the chain to reach top management, regularly resulting in a slower pace of decision-making.
It’s considered appropriate to defer to senior colleagues and managers and to voice opinions indirectly, with direct instructions being reserved for employees lower down in the hierarchy.
Communication
When meeting people in a workplace environment for the first time, address them by their professional title or by Señor (Mr), Señora (Mrs) or Señorita (Miss) followed by their surname. Shaking hands is common for both men and women.
Puerto Ricans are demonstrative people, often smiling, standing close, and touching. Managers are generally direct, outlining issues clearly, while employees tend to rely on more indirect communication.
Time
You should be prepared for fluid deadlines in Puerto Rico. Even deadlines that are set well in advance are typically regarded as flexible. Patience will play an essential part in successful cross-culture management.
Dos and don'ts of business in Puerto Rico
- Do be formal at first, and don’t use first names unless invited to do so.
- Don't expect business meetings to start on time.
- Don’t talk about Puerto Rico’s status as a US territory, as this is a sensitive and controversial topic.
- Do initiate small talk conversations with topics like sports and travel.