Costa Rica

Do

Meeting: It is expected that all the participants arrive on time and have eye contact during the event

Dress: Dress formal and appropriately. Men dress in a suit and tie. Women wear a skirt or dress with a blouse

Greetings: Handshake is the standard practice to greet and have a small talk

Eating Styles: Use utilities when eating

Negotiations: Stay on topic during the conversation. Have good communication skills.

Gifts: Give Gifts when going to a business gathering. (Bouquet, chocolates)

DONT

Meeting: Cellphones are not allowed during the meetings

Dress: Dont wear inappropriate clothing (shorts, sandals,Tank tops)

Greetings: Do not embrace (Hug, hold hands) Do not talk about personal criticism or religion

Eating Styles: Do not eat with your hands during a meeting that had food

Negotiations: Do not argue with other party

Eye contact, gestures, smell, postures, sounds, expressions, volume, and dress (e.g. have a loud voice and always have eye contact, and maintain a good body language with a good posture)

Dont be fidgeting with your hands and feet because that also shows impoliteness

Always arrive on time. However in Costa Rica it is a cultural problem. Individuals arrive 30 mins late to meetings and that that is considered normal. (Be punctual)

Polychronic time society. Costa Ricans do multiple things at the same time.

Costa Rican give more importance to relationships over schedules.

Tone of voice is appropriate

Always standing when giving speeches and presentaions

Be clear. Do not talk to much. Get to the point

Dont touch individuals around you

Give everyone personal space

Power Distance

Score: 35. Scores the lowest on this dimension in the region

This is due to the society (in institutions and organizations) that accepts that power is distributed unequally

This indicates that Costa Ricans in the society have unequal opportunities. For example, when it comes to power and wealth.

Uncertainty Avoidance

Score: 86.

The society has a high Uncertainty Avoidance. This means society deals well with controls of the future

Costa Rica created beliefs and try to avoid threatened by ambiguous situations and unknown situations

Society tries to limit strict rules, laws, and polices. Costa Rica wants to control everything and the unexpected is avoided.

Masculinity

Score 21

High score in Masculinity shows that there is competition involved for their success. This is known by who is best in that particular field and maintaining a organizational life.

There is a low score for feminine dimensions. This shows that there is discrimination between genders. In Costa Rica there is a high exceptance of women to work. However they do not want personal criticism.