Peru Cultural Customs and Etiquette

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Greetings

Greetings are a key part of Peruvian culture and etiquette. Peruvians are known for their warm and friendly nature, making it important to be aware of the various greeting norms and customs standard in the country.

There are several customary ways to greet someone in Peru, such as:

  • A handshake
  • A hug
  • An exchange of kisses on the cheek

Knowing the accepted etiquette and conventions surrounding greetings in Peru is essential to ensure that you make a good first impression when you meet someone new.

Handshakes

Handshakes are the usual form of greeting in Peru and should be made with a light touch and direct eye contact. Men usually say “buenos dias” (good morning) when they meet someone, while women tend to say “como estas” (how are you).

People formally introduce themselves and shake each other’s hands before they converse. Handshakes can last between three and five seconds, depending on how well the two people know each other. Close friends might kiss both cheeks upon greeting before they start chatting.

It is important to note that Peruvians often like to converse with their hands, using gestures and emphatic movements as part of their conversation. Most Peruvians consider shaking hands a sign of respect and good etiquette when greeting new acquaintances or people from different backgrounds.

Kissing

When greeting peers in Peru, more formal greetings typically involve a handshake, although casual settings may involve a nod. Close family members and friends may also kiss each other on the cheek as a greeting. However, strangers will almost always greet each other with a firm handshake.

When leaving acquaintances and strangers, it is polite to shake their hands and briefly mention seeing them again soon or say, “it was nice meeting you.”

In Peru, men usually wait for women to proffer their hands first in formal settings; if they don’t (for whatever reason), they should initiate the shaking since women expect them to. Those with a strong sense of chivalry should also look for signs of whether the woman would like them to release her hand first, indicating that she also respects their gentlemanly gestures.

Body Language

Regarding physical contact, Peruvians are far less likely to touch one another than other cultures. Some greetings include a light handshake and a slight nod of the head. It is also considered polite to wait for your host to initiate physical touching when you first meet.

Maintaining eye contact is important, but staring too intensely can be seen as rude or intimidating. Therefore, it is polite to stand approximately one arm’s length apart and slightly angled away from the person you are speaking to, as this shows respect for their personal space. However, if speaking with someone considered a close friend or family member, it is not uncommon for Peruvian people to stand nearby while engaging in conversation.

Social Interactions

When interacting with people in Peru, it is important to remember and respect their cultural customs and etiquette. Social encounters are typically relaxed, friendly, and hospitable; however, there are still some essential guidelines to consider when interacting with local people.

  • It is customary to be very polite and respectful when greeting someone, and you should introduce yourself before talking about any other topics.
  • Additionally, eye contact and a firm handshake are considered respectful and giving people time to answer your questions is important.

Conversation Topics

When conversing with Peruvians, it is best to remain respectful and avoid overtly competitive topics. There can be a fine line between healthy debate and overly competitive conversation, so use caution when voicing opinions. It is also important to note that some topics, such as religion or politics, may be best avoided in mixed company.

Ordinary conversation topics that would generally be deemed appropriate to discuss in Peru include:

  • Food
  • Music, art, and literature
  • Sports (especially soccer or volleyball matches)
  • Travel
  • The diverse nature of the country encompasses mountains, deserts, and rainforests.

With all topics of conversation, it is best to rationally present your arguments without showing signs of aggression or disrespect. In addition, conversations should maintain an even balance between two different points of view if an opinion disagreement exists – one individual should never overpower the other’s point of view with force or verbal intensity.

Public Behavior

In Peru, people are naturally friendly and respectful to others. Most citizens are polite, although they might appear distant to outsiders at first. However, you should avoid public displays of affection – such as kissing or hugging – outside of close family and friends.

Public behavior should always be dignified; it is considered inappropriate to make loud noises, whistle, or show aggression in public places. It is imperative to avoid profanity under any circumstances; the locals usually see these words as offensive.

You should also respect religious customs when in Peru. It includes dressing appropriately for religious services, never entering a church without covering your knees and shoulders, and taking off your hat upon entering buildings and monuments with cultural value or importance to Peruvian history.

It is also vital to respect traditional values by following basic guidelines regarding conversational matters like politics or religion. Remember that Peruvian culture mainly emphasizes politeness over honesty – stick to light topics out of courtesy and respect for other people’s beliefs and opinions whenever possible.

Gift giving

In Peru, gift-giving is a way to show respect and appreciation for the kindness given. Therefore, when attending a social function or meeting someone for the first time, it is customary to bring along a small gift. These gifts do not need to be extravagant; even something small and inexpensive will convey your sentiments. Gifts are usually opened immediately upon being presented unless instructed otherwise.

When giving a gift, it’s important to note that items such as cut flowers may not be accepted due to superstitious beliefs. Anything brightly colored or purple should also be avoided, as these colors have religious meanings in Peru. When in doubt, chocolates are considered an appropriate offering. Additionally, it’s polite and expected that adults give gifts as they would children; offerings should never be targeted towards one gender over another.

Dress Code

Dressing appropriately is important when visiting Peru. It’s essential to be mindful of the country’s local customs and traditions and to dress accordingly. It’s important to remember that what is considered appropriate may vary in different regions. Knowing the dress code of the region you visit will ensure a pleasant and respectful experience.

Appropriate Clothing

It is important to dress appropriately for all occasions in Peru. Business meetings and events require more formal attire, but casual and smart-casual are generally acceptable in most social and professional settings.

  • Business meetings: Men should wear trousers, a collared shirt, a tie, and a blazer. Women should opt for a knee-length skirt or trousers, tailored shirts, a cardigan or light jacket, and low-heeled shoes. Shorts are never considered appropriate for business meetings.
  • Formal occasions: Men should wear long trousers, a suit with a matching jacket, and an elegant shirt paired with an eye-catching tie is the perfect finish to complete the look. Women may opt for a sophisticated dress or a smart two-piece trouser suit accompanied by stylish accessories like a scarf or jewelry. For weddings, baptism parties, or any other special invitation, it is customary to wear something designer or special such as folkloric outfits from different regions of Peru.
  • Religious settings: If attending religious services, it is important to adhere to conservative attire with neutral colors like navy blue, white and black being acceptable choices when visiting holy places like churches, cathedrals, etc., covering most of your body, including neckline collar details is well appreciated (no v-necks). Also, consider wearing comfortable closed toes shoes while inside the temples.

Despite what some may think, modern Peruvian fashion combines traditional materials such as alpaca wool with contemporary designs that allow you to look stylish while embracing Peruvian culture simultaneously – even if participating in more casual settings!

Formal Attire

In Peru, it is important to dress correctly and understand the local norms. Men should wear suits or jackets with trousers and a shirt for formal events and occasions. Ties are not necessary in most cases. For women, dresses are always a good idea, as they tend to be modestly cut and of decent quality – often, jeans aren’t allowed in churches or other formal gatherings. Avoid showing too much skin, even in warm weather – shoulders can be covered with a light shawl or scarf as an easy way to stay respectful yet calm.

Conservative dress is expected for both men and women at religious sites – no bare shoulders or legs – so plan for that when visiting any of Peru’s beautiful historical sites like Machu Picchu. Generally speaking, it is important to bring neat clothing items; avoid ripped or worn-out garments whenever possible. If you’re headed to the beach, loose clothing is preferred instead of tight-fitting clothing, which may be inappropriate.

Accessories

In Peru, certain accessories are considered polite when out in public. A neat and clean appearance with modest clothing should be worn. However, it’s important to note that even small accessories like jewelry and hats could offend if worn in the wrong situation or place. Here are a few of the basic items that you should consider when following Peru’s dress code conventions:

  • Hat: A hat should be removed indoors unless it is of religious significance, such as a yarmulke. A hat may also be worn outdoors to protect from cold or sunlight; however, it must not block another individual’s view or be seen disrespecting an authority figure.
  • Jewelry: Dressing modestly includes minimal jewelry and avoiding flashy designs or expensive jewelry pieces for everyday occasions. For example, you would want to wear fewer jewels on an afternoon shopping trip rather than on a formal occasion such as a wedding ceremony.
  • Glasses/sunglasses: Sunglasses may be considered impolite indoors because they could seem like an attempt to hide from conversation or avoid looking people in the eye. Always ask permission before taking someone’s photo with your glasses on, as they could consider this insulting.

Food and Drink

Peru offers a diverse cuisine, with each region having its specialty. Consequently, different parts of the country have distinct food and drink customs. In particular, the traditional “Cebiche” dish, consisting of raw fish marinated in key lime juice, can be found in coastal cities. However, pepper-based stews and hearty soups are also popular in inland regions, such as the Andes Mountains.

Familiarising yourself with Peru’s food and drink customs is essential to ensure a pleasant culinary experience.

Table Manners

Peruvian meals often involve eating a variety of dishes, many of which are based on potatoes, corn, and beans. It is a good idea to arrive at the table with an empty stomach, as serving more food than you can manage is common.

Eating etiquette in Peru involves:

  • Take small portions first and ask for seconds rather than loading your plate.
  • Using utensils to eat most main dishes; however, it is okay to use your hands for certain items such as bread or fish.

Regarding table etiquette, the most important thing is to be polite and avoid acting too defensively or demanding when eating or drinking. On formal occasions, wait until everyone has been served before picking up your food – this includes passing the food around when serving yourself from a communal dish. Avoid making noises while eating or drinking, as this can indicate that you’re not enjoying the meal. If possible, try and finish everything on your plate – doing so will show respect for your host’s generosity and hard work in preparing the meal.

Dining Etiquette

In Peru, mealtime is an opportunity to catch up and spend time with family and friends. Therefore, it’s essential to be aware of the customs associated with dining in Peru to enjoy your experience.

When invited to someone’s home, bring a small gift like wine, pastries, or chocolates. It is an excellent way to thank the host for their hospitality.

When sitting at the table, always greet each other with a handshake or gentle hug. Men typically wait for women to provide their hands first. At formal restaurants and gatherings, it is polite for women to seat themselves after everyone else has taken their place.

When dining at Peruvian restaurants, it is customary to leave a 10% tip or whatever amount may be indicated on the bill for your server. However, if you are in an informal setting or feel your service was exceptional, you may leave more money as a special thank-you.

Table manners in Peru are pretty formal; watch what others do before taking part yourself, such as passing food around the table or eating certain types of food with your hands. During meals, try not to start eating until everyone at the table has been served; however, if this proves difficult due to large groups of people, eat when most of those present have been served food. Always say “gracias” (thank you) after taking something from bowls/platters being shared amongst diners at the table, either directly handed by someone or help yourself with a spoon/fork provided on each item offering available on centers of a table (often found among local gastronomy).

Moreover, when passing plates/bowls with food, do it clockwise so that everyone gets the first opportunity from the next diner, respectively, from the person who initiated the pass-around sequence duration (diner). Slurping during meals and smacking lips should never be done as it is somewhat impolite between company present during meal duration unless also conducted by other diners around the same context interacting – when done by someone else, laughing accompanies joining sequences mildly reinforcing discouragement efforts among tables accordingly.

Drinking Customs

Peruvian drinking customs vary throughout the country, but some general drinking and dining traditions have emerged. It is expected that visitors respect these traditional customs to show courtesy and appreciation for the culture.

When drinking at a gathering or restaurant, it is customary to pour a few drops of their beverage on the ground as a sign of respect to Pachamama or Mother Earth. In addition, small amounts of liquor may be offered in memory of those who have passed away, called an ‘Ayni’ (kindness) toast.

For formal meals in Peru, it is usually acceptable for guests to bring a small gift for their hosts, such as flowers or pastries. However, guests should always wait for the host to bring out any alcoholic drinks that may be served and follow their lead in terms of how much to drink.

Peru has some unique drinks too – chicha de jora (corn beer), which is popular among locals; pisco sour (grape brandy mixed with egg white and lime juice); and chicha morada (lightly fermented purple maize) – are some examples found in Peru’s restaurants and bars.

Public Holidays

Peru celebrates several public holidays throughout the year. Some of these holidays are religious, while others are dedicated to independence or other key historical events. Peru’s most popular public holidays include Christmas, New Year’s Day, Easter, and Carnival.

Take a closer look at Peru’s public holiday customs and traditions.

Celebrations

Public holidays in Peru include a variety of holidays and other special days celebrated throughout the country. These include religious holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, and national holidays, such as independence day. Additionally, some regions have local holidays that may vary greatly from those celebrated nationally.

Some of the most important public holidays celebrated in Peru include:

  • Christmas (December 25): A traditional Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. Peruvians participate in special holiday celebrations, including gift-giving and feasts with family.
  • New Year’s Day (January 1): The start of a new year is typically celebrated with fireworks and parties throughout Peru.
  • Carnaval (February or March): This large festival typically takes place in February or March according to the Catholic calendar and is filled with music, dancing, parades, costumes, and more.
  • Easter/Pascua (April): Easter falls on different dates each year within April, according to Christian tradition. It is one of Peruvians’ most important religious celebrations that celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Feast days associated with this celebration include Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, when many people abstain from eating meat products.
  • Independence Day (July 28 / July 29): A national holiday where all citizens celebrate the day when Peru declared its independence from colonial rule on July 28, 1821. This holiday includes street parades and speeches by political figures commemorating this historic event for Peru’s citizens – governmental offices may also have closures due to festivities occurring throughout the country’s cities.
  • Las Promesas (1st Sunday in October): A religious celebration honoring “Our Lady Of The Miracles” at Basilica De Santa Rosa De Lima Church located in Lima, which involves candlelight processionals carried out towards her shrine at said basilica each October 1 by thousands of worshipers looking to pay their respects again Our Lady Of The Miracles who is worshipped across much of South America due to her popularity among those who visit her shrine even today seeking miracles attributed to her ongoing influence in South America’s culture.

Religious Holidays

Peru observes several religious holidays, including Easter and Christmas. On Easter, many people attend Mass, often with a procession through the street led by a priest carrying the Blessed Sacrament. They may exchange gifts on Good Friday and get together for family meals. During Christmas time, nativity scenes are typically set up in churches, homes, and public places around Peru.

In addition to these holidays honoring Jesus Christ, Peru also celebrates Jewish holidays, including Yom Kippur and Hanukkah. Other religious festivities include Islamic celebrations such as Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr and Hindu festivals like Holi.

National Holidays

Public holidays are a significant part of the cultural life in Peru, and there are a variety of national, regional, and local observances throughout the year. Peru generally celebrates religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter, and many public holidays commemorate important historical events. Below is an overview of the most noteworthy national public holidays in Peru:

  • January 1 – New Year’s Day
  • January 6 – Three Kings/Epiphany
  • May 1 – International Worker’s Day
  • June 24 – Independence Day (celebrating Peru’s free status from Spain on June 24, 1821)
  • July 28 – Youth Day (celebrating youth involvement in politics)
  • August 30 – Santa Rosa de Lima (national patron saint of Peru day)
  • October 8 – Battle of Angamos (defeat by Chile in 1879 during the Pacific War)
  • November 1 – All Saints’ Day
  • December 8 – The Immaculate Conception (commemorating Mary’s free status from original sin)
  • December 25 – Christmas