Business

• Business meetings should be booked at least a week in advance and confirmed just beforehand.
• It is best to correspond by telephone or fax rather than postal mail, as this can be unpredictable.
• It is key to engage the services of a local contact to act as a facilitator, guarantor and interpreter. The contact should know how business is done on the ground, what companies would be interested in your proposals and negotiate the inevitable ‘red tape’ surrounding business deals.
• If entering into negotiations, initially concentrate on building rapport and establishing trust. Colombians will put personal relationships above other considerations, so do not rush the initial stages of any business relationship. The less business discussed the better.
• Once a level of trust has been established, never change your personnel, as this will mean returning back to square one and rebuilding the relationship again.

Dining

• Wait to be seated by the host.
• Hands should be kept visible when eating.
• Do not rest elbows on the table.
• The host will say "buen provecho" (“enjoy” or “have a good meal”) as an invitation to start eating.
• It is polite to try everything that you are given.
• Most food is eaten with utensils — even fruit is cut into pieces with a knife and fork.
• It is considered polite to leave a small amount of food on your plate when you have finished eating.
• Do not use a toothpick at the table.

Gift Giving

• Gifts are given for birthdays and Christmas or the Epiphany (January 6).
• When going to a Colombian's home, bring fruit, a potted plant or quality chocolates for the hostess.
• Flowers should be sent in advance.
• Roses are liked. Do not give lilies or marigolds as they are used at funerals.
• Imported alcohol (especially spirits) is very expensive and makes excellent gifts.
• Wrapped gifts are not opened when received.

Greeting

• As with most South American countries, the standard greeting is a handshake. Friends will embrace and slap each other's back, which is known as the abrazo.
• Meetings should be prolonged affairs where the parties involved ask about family, business, health and your favorite sports team. Rushing the process is seen as disrespectful.
• Note that in Colombia, people stand quite close together and like to engage in some physical contact.
• Be prepared for a hand on your shoulder and don't back away from people if they get too close.
• Until invited to do so, don't address Colombians with their first name. A simple Mr., Mrs. or Miss followed by their surname is fine.