BODY LANGUAGE
1."NO SE"
I don’t know. No idea. Popular with taxi drivers when faced with your incomprehensible address.“No se” lacks the rudeness of the Italian version; however, it can be used as a sign of boredom or apathy. Also see: “Don’t know, don’t care. Why are you still here?”
2."QUE??!!"
A multipurpose gesture to express complete disbelief. Aka, “What the are you talking about? What just happened there?". Also used to ask someone why they’re acting like a chicken – the same gesture but opening and closing your fingers.
3."CAFECITO"
Bring me a coffee, please. A popular gesture in busy cafes when you don’t need to actually talk to the waiter but you do need him to bring you your caffeine fix.
BUSINESS SETTINGS
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Business in the country is conducted in a formal setting, be punctual for business appointments and confirm meetings one week in advance.
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Personal relationships are important and must be developed before business is done.
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During business meetings, sustain a relaxed manner, maintain eye contact and restrict the use of gestures. Don’t take a hard sell approach.
UAE isn’t very different from argentine when it comes to business, people are mostly doing it in a formal setting business meeting. But since the UAE is a Muslim country there are certain factors to take into consideration in terms of dress code and behavior which is also not very different because in argentine you have to dress well and have good manners.The only difference is that in the UAE having a personal relationship before business isn’t important!
GREETINGS
Proper greeting etiquette must be followed when traveling to Argentina to make a good first impression. Argentine culture places much more emphasis on tactile greetings such as a polite kiss or hug than is commonly practiced in the United States, which is often daunting to first-time visitors. While it might be outside your comfort zone, greeting people in Argentina in a polite and culturally savvy way is simple to do if you observe a few basic rules.
Step 1:
Observe the person you are greeting. Watch his body language and take your cue from him; if he leans in, it is likely he will greet you with a kiss. Greet friends, older people and friends of friends with a kiss but strangers, professors or business associates with a handshake. Use hugs only if you are greeting a very old friend or relative.
Step 2:
Lean in with your right cheek next to his right cheek. Lightly press your cheek against his and make a kissing sound. Do not repeat this with the left cheek unless the other person proceeds to do so.
Step 3:
Say "encantado" if the person you are greeting is a man or "encantada" if the person is female. Say this only upon your first meeting since it is a formal expression and is not commonly used between friends or previous acquaintances.
Business Meeting Etiquette
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You should arrive on time for meetings, although the person you are meeting may not be punctual. While meetings may start as much as 30 minutes late, people generally expect foreign visitors to be very punctual. Avoid being more than 5 to 10 minutes late, and call ahead if you will be. Displaying anger if you have to wait reflects very poorly on you. The most senior people usually arrive last.The more important the person you are meeting, the longer they keep you waiting. Moreover ,Do not immediately begin discussing business.
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Names are usually given in the order of first name, then family name or names. Most Argentines have two family names, the fi rst one from their father, and the second one from their mother. Use Mr./Mrs./Miss or Señor/Señora/Señorita , plus the family name (the first one if two family names are given). If a person has an academic title, such as Doctor or Professor, or a professional title such as Ingeniero or Arquitecto, use it instead, followed by the family name. Being respectful of such titles is very important. Do not react surprised if people address you as Doctor, as this is often a sign of respect or simply an indication that they are confused about your real title. Only close friends call each other by their first names. Introduce and greet older people first. Third-party introductions are generally preferred. Introductions are accompanied by handshakes, often combined with a nod of the head. Men should wait for women to initiate handshakes.
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The exchange of business cards is an essential step when meeting someone for the first time, so bring more than you need. It is strongly recommended to use cards with one side in English and the other in Spanish. However , Smile and keep eye contact while accepting someone else card, then carefully examine it.
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Meetings start with small talk, which may be extensive. This may include personal questions about your background and family, allowing participants to become acquainted. It is important to be patient and let the other side set the pace. People appreciate a sense of humor, but keep it light and friendly, and be careful not to overdo it. Business is a serious matter in Argentina discussion and to exchange ideas . Initial meetings may appear very formal, but the atmosphere usually is a bit more relaxed in subsequent meetings.
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The seating arrangements will follow a specific order. The person with the highest ranking will most likely enter last. The person with the highest position within the company will be seated at the head of the table. The most important people are seated to the left and right of the senior manager. Furthermore, find out who else are attending the meeting and which positions they have within the Argentine company. This way you can figure out who is going to sit where. Try to seat the businessmen and women opposite to each other, so that the people with the same position in the companies are sitting in front off each other. For example, put the senior manager in opposite with the senior manager of the Argentine company. Then put the marketing manager in opposite of the other marketing manager etcetera.
How are disagreemnts dealt with?
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It is imperative to show deference and respect to those in positions of authority. When dealing with people at the same level, communication can be more informal.
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Be alert for nuances and hidden meanings. It is a good idea to repeat details, as you understand them to confirm that you and your business colleagues are in agreement.
Rather than pushing for concessions, it may be better to re-address disagreements in follow-up meetings, which gives your counterparts the opportunity to reconsider their position without overtly losing face.
Throughout the process, remain cool and respectful, avoid confrontation, and frequently reaffirm the relationship.