Argentina: Prosperous Entertaining
From ExecutivePlanet.com
Entertaining for business success
Business entertaining is usually a social event and so the best policy is to let your host initiate any discussion of business. Do whatever you can to help everyone feel at ease and have a good time. It's important that you make gestures to demonstrate to your Argentine companions that a relationship with them is a greater priority than business. People who focus solely on work-related matters will not make friends or succeed in business here.
Staying at one of the finer international hotels in any large Argentine city will help you create a good impression.
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Business entertaining usually takes place at major restaurants and hotels.
There are many types of restaurants in Argentina, depending on the city you are staying in. Making the payment arrangements in advance, is an efficient and tasteful way to host.
Breakfast is usually taken between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Customarily, there is a one-hour break for lunch--the biggest meal of the day--that takes place sometime between noon and 2:00 p.m.
Dinner is served between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. If you are invited for drinks at a home, you will very likely be invited to dinner as well.
At parties, greet each person individually. Refrain from using the North American conversation starter 'What do you do?' If people wish to discuss their occupation, they will eventually volunteer this information. Customarily, the host or the most senior man present will be seated at the head of the table, with the guest of honour at his immediate right. The next seat of honour will be to the immediate right of either the hostess or the second-highest ranking Argentine.
When your Argentine contact proposes a toast to you, propose another in return, and include a 'Salud!' or 'Cheers!'
Argentines emphasize good table manners and will observe how you measure up. The 'continental' style of dining is a must: the knife stays in your right hand and the fork in your left.
'Finger food' is not a part of formal meals.
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Always keep your hands visible when dining, with your wrists resting on the edge of the table. It is considered bad form to keep the hands concealed.
Take small bites and chew slowly. Chewing loudly, clanging silverware, scraping the plate, lip-smacking, and finger-licking are considered vulgar. Accept everything that you are served. If you come across something that you don't like, just take a sample bite or two for the sake of politeness. Wine should be poured with the right hand.
Before smoking, it's considered polite to offer cigarettes to your companions first.
After a dinner party or similar occasion, the best policy is to make a phone call expressing your thanks.
If a gratuity is not included in your bill, then a 10-15 % tip is in order.
