Boliviađź•Ł
Country in the central part of South America. Official name – the Republic of Bolivia. Population – 11.9 million people (as of 2020). Capital – Sucre (official), La Paz (de facto). Official languages – Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. Government type – presidential republic. Main religion – Catholicism.
Bolivia
Greeting
In Bolivia, the usual way to greet someone in a business setting is with a handshake. Both men and women do this when meeting or saying goodbye.
When meeting a group, it's essential to greet each person individually. You should say hello or goodbye to each person at the table or in the room—just addressing the group as a whole isn't enough.
People in Bolivia often have their own little greeting routine: they start with a handshake, might hug or pat each other on the shoulder, and then shake hands again. That second handshake is seen as a sign of friendship.
Eye contact is important when greeting someone, although the duration people hold it can vary depending on the region.
First meetings are usually pretty formal, but later interactions tend to be warmer and more relaxed.
Women who know each other well often greet with a kiss on the cheek (without actually touching faces).
Common greetings in Bolivia are: “Buenos dĂas” (Good morning), “Buenas tardes” (Good afternoon), and “Buenas noches” (Good evening).
Introduction
Bolivian surnames follow Spanish naming traditions. A person’s full last name usually has two parts: first comes the father’s paternal surname, then the mother’s paternal surname. For example: Armando Tejada Urquizo. In conversation, it’s enough to use just the first surname—so in this case, Señor Tejada.
Exchange of Business Cards
In Bolivian business culture, it’s customary to exchange business cards during introductions or right after them at a first meeting. If you’re meeting with a group—say, a team of Bolivian businesspeople—you should give a card to each person. Make sure to bring plenty of cards with you when you take part in different events.
Besides the standard details, it’s a good idea...
Small Talk: Overview
Bolivians tend to have a warm and expressive communication style and are usually open to casual conversation. That said, it doesn’t mean they’ll be willing to talk about personal concerns—especially early on in a business relationship.
In general, Bolivians are fairly reserved during initial meetings. Even though humor is highly valued ...
Preferred Topics
Tourism and travel, especially in Bolivia
Family and anything related to home and family life
Local cuisine
The country’s climate and geography
Sports—especially football (soccer)...
Taboo Topics
Controversial political topics, especially the anti-government protests of 2019 linked to the internal political crisis
Any discussions related to religion are considered taboo
The topic of Bolivia’s relationship with Chile is sensitive—especially regarding the War of the Pacific, which led to Bolivia losing territory a...
Personal Space
It's good to know that the comfortable distance for conversation in Bolivian culture is shorter than in many others. People tend to stand quite close when talking—something common across many South American cultures.
If you stand farther away during a conversation (which might be normal in your culture), it could be seen as a sign of distance or lack of interest.
<...Communication Specifics
Bolivia has a very diverse ethnic makeup. The population includes Indigenous peoples (the largest groups being Quechua and Aymara), mestizos (people of mixed Indigenous and European descent), and white Bolivians (mainly of European origin).
Indigenous communities have traditionally lived in rural agricultural areas, bu...
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