2. THE LATINO CULTURE
 Someone from the Latino culture can come from 21 different Latin
American countries where Spanish is the primary language.
 The following slides generalize some common workplace behaviors for
the Latino population.
 It’s important to realize there are cultural differences between the 21
different Latin American countries.
Chong, N., & Baez, F. (2005). Latino Culture : A Dynamic Force in the
Changing American Workplace. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.

3. THE LATINO CULTURE IN TODAY’S WORKPLACE
 According to the 2010 Census, 50.5 million people (16%) were of Latino
origin.
 This is a 13% increase from the 2000 Census.
 This increase accounted for four times the growth of the population
from 2000-2010.
 With the increase in the Latino population in the United States, it’s
important for managers to understand and embrace the Latino culture.
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/27000.html

4. COMMUNICATION
 Flow of conversation – Mexicans, Argentinians, and Chileans are
typically very talkative in a group. There is a tendency for these folks to
take the stage at the beginning of a meeting or conversation.
 Flow of ideas – a great deal of information is offered by a Latino
person before the main idea is presented.
Chong, N., & Baez, F. (2005). Latino Culture : A Dynamic Force in the
Changing American Workplace. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.

5. DIRECT COMMUNICATION
 Direct communication difficult for most Latinos to participate in
because of the risk of conflict. Latinos will do their best to avoid
confrontation in the workplace.
 Direct communication will be used if there is certainty it will not results
in conflict.
 There is a fear of being looked at as being incompetent if a Latino
person asks direct questions about how to do their job.
 The lack of direct communication Latinos participate in may come
across to supervisors as a lack of motivation, but is really a form of
respect learned from a very young age.
Chong, N., & Baez, F. (2005). Latino Culture : A Dynamic Force in the
Changing American Workplace. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.

6. INDIRECT COMMUNICATION
 Latinos are more comfortable participating with indirect
communication.
 Indirect communication by a Latino employee should not look at as
being passive. Instead, it is a way for a Latino to maintain harmony with
colleagues and supervisors.
 Often times Latinos will participate in conversations using the third
person.
Chong, N., & Baez, F. (2005). Latino Culture : A Dynamic Force in the
Changing American Workplace. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.

7. RELATIONSHIPS IN THE WORKPLACE
 Latinos treat most relationships in the workplace very formally.
 As relationships begin to form, they become less formal.
 Many Latinos use humor as a way to build relationships and break
down barriers. Humor is a way to help make formal relationships feel
more relaxed.
 Latinos tend to tell personal stories as a way to build trust in business
relationships.
Chong, N., & Baez, F. (2005). Latino Culture : A Dynamic Force in the
Changing American Workplace. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.

8. CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
 Latinos try to avoid conflict and do not try to start conflict in the
workplace.
 Latinos usually won’t address conflict
 Latinos may address conflict in an indirect manner. They will try and
avoid the person who he or she may have conflict with.
 Latinos will try and resolve conflict to ensure relationships with
colleagues remain positive.
Chong, N., & Baez, F. (2005). Latino Culture : A Dynamic Force in the
Changing American Workplace. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.

9. INTERPERSONAL DISTANCE
 The average interpersonal distance for most Latinos in the workplace is
14-15 inches.
 This may be uncomfortable for European Americans as they are used to
an impersonal space of 18 inches to four feet.
Chong, N., & Baez, F. (2005). Latino Culture : A Dynamic Force in the
Changing American Workplace. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.

10. SILENCE
 Most Latinos are comfortable with silence.
 To elicit Latinos to share ideas or participate in conversations, ask for
their opinions.
Chong, N., & Baez, F. (2005). Latino Culture : A Dynamic Force in the
Changing American Workplace. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.

11. FURNITURE
 Most Latinos like to arrange furniture close to one another.
 Latinos are likely to have pictures of their families in their work area as
opposed to diplomas and certificates.
Chong, N., & Baez, F. (2005). Latino Culture : A Dynamic Force in the
Changing American Workplace. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.

12. GESTURES
 Latinos use hand gestures when communicating.
 To get a point across or emphasize what is being said, the hand
gestures may be more pronounced.
 It’s not uncommon for a Latino to slam his or her hand on the table to
make a point.
Chong, N., & Baez, F. (2005). Latino Culture : A Dynamic Force in the
Changing American Workplace. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.

13. TOUCH
 Latinos will usually begin a business meeting with a handshake.
 Both men and women participate in shaking hands.
 A supervisor may pat an employee on the shoulder.
 A subordinate should never pat a supervisor on the shoulder unless they
have known each other for many years.
Chong, N., & Baez, F. (2005). Latino Culture : A Dynamic Force in the Changing
American Workplace. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.

14. EYE CONTACT
 Eye contact in business interactions is acceptable.
 Eye contact in the business setting should be brief and frequent.
 Frequent and brief eye contact shows respect to supervisors.
 Eye contact establishes trust.
 Eye contact shows sincerity.
 Eye contact with a woman in the business setting should be very short.
Chong, N., & Baez, F. (2005). Latino Culture : A Dynamic Force in the Changing
American Workplace. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.

15. MOTIVATION
 The biggest motivator for Latinos to work is family.
 Latinos look at money as a means to an end.
 It’s not about how much money they make, it’s about what they can buy with
the money they make.
 Latinos are motivated to work to have a sense of purpose and duty.
Chong, N., & Baez, F. (2005). Latino Culture : A Dynamic Force in the Changing
American Workplace. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.

16. TIME ORIENTATION
 Latinos have a more relaxed view of time.
 The present is for certain and the future is unknown.
 t is important for managers not to assume all Latinos will be late or
don’t take timeliness seriously.
 Most Latinos are very likely to be on time because they are motivated
by time and their sense of duty.
Chong, N., & Baez, F. (2005). Latino Culture : A Dynamic Force in the
Changing American Workplace. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.

17. Chong, N., & Baez, F. (2005). Latino Culture : A Dynamic Force in the
Changing American Workplace. Page 129. Yarmouth, ME:
Intercultural Press.