When traveling to Latin America, it is essential to know and keep in mind the many, sometimes subtle, differences between how Americans and Latinos/Hispanics communicate. Trust is an essential element of building relationships with Latinos/Hispanics. Once trust is established, Latinos/Hispanics are much more likely to reveal personal information. Latinos/Hispanics are more likely to trust and bond with a person rather than an agency or company.
- Latino/Hispanic culture is formal.
- When addressing someone you should use “Mr.” and “Mrs.”
- “Please” and “Thank you” are words used with everyone.
- To ignore someone is very rude. When you first see a person during the day, you must always recognize them and say “hello.” Before leaving, you should say “good-bye” and wish them well.
- Latinos/Hispanics prefer face-to-face human interaction.
Respect is highly valued. To respect someone means to listen when he or she speaks and follow his or her advice. The elders have a special place in the community because of their wisdom and they are highly respected.
Religion & spirituality: Personal devotion to the church is important for many Latinos/Hispanics. They maintain strong beliefs. Catholicism is the primary religion, but more and more Latinos/Hispanics are converting to Protestant Christianity.
Education: To Latinos/Hispanics education includes not only what one learns in school, but also manners, behavior and religious beliefs. Education plays a very important role, as persons with higher degrees are respected for their knowledge.
Health care: Some members of the Latino/Hispanic community still use traditional herbs or medications from their native homelands.
- The use of home remedies is a common practice in Latin American countries.
- Some countries use the traditional witch doctor called “curandero.”
- Latinos/Hispanics are not used to preventative medicine. They only go to the doctor when they are really sick.
- Mental Illness is viewed as “craziness,” and some people are reluctant to seek help because of fear of how their neighbors or families will react.
- Diabetes is a very common illness among the Latino/Hispanic population, and given the nutritional habits of the Latino/Hispanic culture, it is hard to control without very close supervision by professionals.
Knowing these simple differences in language and communication can ease your assimilation into Latin American culture. For more information on cultural adjustment, download AmeriSpan’s Guide to Cultural Adjustment.
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