Transcript Slide 1

El Salvador
Country Background
History
In 1980, the widely respected Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo
Romero had been assassinated. Finally, after twelve
years of fighting, a peace accord was signed between
the government and the major leftist guerrillas (the
FMLN, or Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front).
Some 80,000 lives had been lost.
Language
The official language is Spanish.
Demographics
The population of 5.5 million (1993 estimate) is
composed of three ethnic groups: Mestizo (a mixture
of European and Indian) 89 percent, Amerindian 10
percent, and European 1 percent.
Religion
 El Salvador has no official religion. Although
the Salvadorans have traditionally been Roman
Catholic.
 Hence the poor are being punished by God for
their lack of faith.
Business Practices
Negotiating
Business is done only after a relationship has been
established. Spend time forming a friendship before
jumping into business discussions.
Be calm and patient with any delays. Several trips
may be necessary to complete a transaction.
Negotiating
Salvadorans tend to speak softly. Match your volume
to that of your Salvadoran counterpart.
Personal honor and saving face are very important to
people in El Salvador.
Although the situation is changing, it is still rare to find
women in upper levels of business in El Salvador.
If you are invited to a Salvadoran home, this a purely
social function.
Business Entertaining
The main meal of the day is at noon. This will
probably include black beans, tortillas or meat, and
fruits and vegetables.
In a home, each person serves himself or herself. It
is rude to take food and leave it on your plate uneaten.
Time
Local time is six
hours behind Greenwich Mean
Time (G. M. T. -6 ).
Protocol
Greetings
Men shake hands with each other in greetings.
Sometimes only a nod of the head is given.
Keep the vocal component of your greeting soft.
Many Salvadorans dislike loud persons.
Gestures
Do not point your fingers at anyone.
gifts
If you are invited to a Salvadoran home, it is
appropriate to bring a gift of candy or flowers.
Avoid giving white flowers, they associated with
funerals.
Dress
For business, men should wear conservative,
lightweight suit. Women should wear a blouse and
skirt or dress.
Short pants and jeans are not appropriate;
women in pants or revealing clothing are very
uncommon and may offend some people.