Argentina: Appointment Alert!

From ExecutivePlanet.com

Making appointments

To conduct business in Argentina, it is necessary to obtain third party introductions through institutions such as law firms, consulting firms or banks.

Should you need to reach a decision maker, you must go through his or her personal assistant or secretary. Politeness is essential when dealing with these intermediaries as they determine the order in which visitors get access to their bosses.

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Appointments need usually to be scheduled one to two weeks in advance. Working hours differ: in Buenos Aires, people in decision-making positions may work non-stop from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm with a short break for lunch at 1.00 pm [which may often be turned into a business lunch]. In the provinces, managers start earlier, have a break around 12:30/1:00 pm, resume work at 4:00/4:30 pm and then continue until 7:30/8:00 pm.

Punctuality is appreciated and expected from visitors to Argentina for all business related occasions. However, you may find your Argentine counterpart to be 15 to 20 minutes late! Guests to home invitations are expected to show up some 15 minutes late. For a dinner party, guests can arrive even 30 minutes late.

January and February are holiday months. It may be unwise to try to do business in these summer months.

Fixed holidays: January 1, Easter, May 1 [Labour Day], May 25, July 9, December 25.

Movable holidays: April 2 [Sovereignty Day], June 20 [Flag Day], August 17 [San Martin's Death], October 12 [Columbus Day].

Argentina uses the Decimal System of weights and measures [1KM=0.62 miles].

Government offices: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm [check for precise times].

Shopping Malls: Mon through Sun 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Banks in Buenos Aires: Mon through Fri 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Banks in the provinces: Mon thru Fri 8:00 to 1:00 pm [check schedules in each case].