Business Etiquette Do and Don’ts

Cuba has the capability of being a great place to do business, if you are patient enough to get through the government. The people of Cuba are very proud of their country and are enthusiastic to do business with foreigners, but because it is a Communist state, there is etiquette that must be respected. The Cuban society is very well educated. The official language of the country is Spanish. In order to do business with Cubans, one needs to begin with the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, which will assist finding the proper government officials to meet with. It is said that one should schedule business meetings at least one week in advance. It is expected to be on time for business meetings but there is a Cuban tradition of keeping people waiting up to one hour. If this is to happen, don’t be offended; it’s very common. Most business officials of Cuba speak English, but it might be a good idea to have an interpreter there just in case. Many times one will be interrupted while speaking, but this action isn’t considered rude. One needs to be sure to keep steady eye contact. It is considered rude to look away from a person while you are talking. The use of slang indicates poor education and is thought of as offensive. Also, the use of profanity is looked down upon. Cuban’s have the tendency to speak very quickly and loudly. They also use their hands and bodies to emphasis what they are talking about. Business cards can be very helpful in Cuban business. It is wise, but not required, to have a side of one’s business card translated into Spanish. Present the card with the Spanish side facing who is receiving it. There isn’t any specific way of the giving of business cards; it can just be done causally. Casual clothing is never acceptable at business meetings, even though the climate is mostly hot and muggy. Men should wear long-sleeved shirts, but a tie and jacket are not required. Short sleeves are not proper at meetings. Women are encouraged to wear dress pants or a dress to meetings. Women shouldn’t dress too revealing because it may give the wrong impression to Cuban businessmen. Some quick tips to follow while at a meeting include avoiding the subject of politics with clients. Cubans are very loyal to their mother country and will be insulted by negative talk of their government. Another tip is to avoid blowing your nose while in public because it is observed as tacky. Lastly, one should ask for permission before photographing anyone. Also, never take a picture of policemen, or members of the military.
Dining Customs dos and don’ts Lunch is considered the main meal for business meetings. A business lunch usually lasts around two hours. Dinner is much more formal and isn’t usually used to discuss business. Drinking is a big part of the Cuban culture, particularly during business lunches. A common act for men is to stand when a woman enters or exits the table.
Obstacles To Success Traveling to Cuba might not be the easiest thing. Before leaving for this trip, it is known that we might face problems. First of all money might be the first issue. For Americans, all credit and debit cards from any US bank will not work in Cuba. Usually tourists carry enough cash for the entire trip. Because of the ten percent penalty on the exchange of USD$, it is suggested not to take large sums of US Dollars to Cuba. We must exchange US Dollars for another currency far in advance to avoid airport exchange high rates. Another concern when traveling to Cuba is staying safe. There is no U.S. Embassy in Cuba. Another concern is leaving. When leaving Cuba, one needs to be very careful that they don’t take anything back to the United States that’s against the law. You are allowed to bring informational materials including books, CDs, records and certain pieces of artwork into the United States. Items such as any Cuban cigars or spirits cannot be taken back into the States. One must obtain a license in order to directly visit Cuba from the United States. If someone wants to visit Cuba without getting a license, they must travel to a different country first. Often times Americans travel to Canada then continue on to Cuba. One needs a strong reason for visiting Cuba in order to receive a license. Technology Do’s and Don’ts It is said that Cuba is half a century behind in technology. Cuba isn’t half technology advanced as the United States. Also, a lot of technology in Cuba is restricted by the government, which makes it much more difficult to use various technology items. Internet access might be an issue when visiting Cuba. The government tightly controls computer communications. In fact, Cuba is known to have one of the strictest Internet controls all over the world. Even access for the average citizen is severely restricted. Most hotels have either cybercafés or business centers with online access, but the fees are extremely high. Until 2007, it was very difficult to have private ownership of a computer or cell phone given by the government. Cuba’s mobile network is limited in coverage. It is only suitable for text messages and voice calling. They have no Internet applications. Also, various foreign news outlet websites are blocked in Cuba, or are very slow, which makes it nearly impossible for citizens to load these websites. Only about twelve percent of the population of Cuba has access to the Internet.