Venezuela: Public Behaviour

From ExecutivePlanet.com

Acceptable public conduct

It's considered very important in this culture to maintain good posture at all times, even in more informal situations.

A firm, assured, handshake is the customary greeting on all occasions.

During the handshake, state your full name; the Venezuelan will then reciprocate by doing the same.

Once you establish a closer acquaintance with certain people, you may even receive an “abrazo”, an embrace which involves a squeeze of the arm, and sometimes even a kiss on the cheek.

Be sensitive to the fact that Venezuelans tend to stand extremely close to others. The best policy is to respect this practice and accept that it is the cultural norm. Moreover, attempting to move away will be perceived only as a cold rejection.

In the course of a conversation, Venezuelans sometimes touch each other's arms or jacket.

Maintaining eye contact is an important way of signaling attentiveness in this culture.

Point with your entire hand, rather than just your index finger.

You are discouraged from eating and walking at the same time.

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