Communicaton Styles
Question:What do I need to know about verbal and non-verbal communications?
Local Perspective:Nicaraguan people are very warm and nobody would get upset if somebody touches her/him while talking; just be careful with some males (if you are a female). Keep a certain distance when talking informally. Nicaraguans use a lot body language to express themselves. They do not get upset if you touch while you talk, but if the person is a stranger, it is recommendable to keep friendly conversation at a certain distance.
For greeting it is okay to shake hand with man or woman.
Local Perspective:Nicaraguan people are very warm and nobody would get upset if somebody touches her/him while talking; just be careful with some males (if you are a female). Keep a certain distance when talking informally. Nicaraguans use a lot body language to express themselves. They do not get upset if you touch while you talk, but if the person is a stranger, it is recommendable to keep friendly conversation at a certain distance.
For greeting it is okay to shake hand with man or woman.
Conversations
Question:I am meeting someone for the first time and I want to make a good impression. What would be good discussion topics?
Local Perspective:Nicaraguans are genuinely friendly people, but at the same time a bit reserved. If you meet somebody for the first time, general questions such as place of origin and/or marital status are acceptable. Humour is accepted as well by the majority of Nicaraguans. The only topic that you must avoid is politics; your opinion can upset people.
If talking to a farmer and they know that you are there to help to increase their productivity they will be more than happy to change their way of working or they would be more open to new ideas. If you are talking to professionals, sometimes, you can encounter difficulties. In Nicaragua, the percentage of unemployment is very high. People are concerned that they can lose their job. If you are implementing a different system, they can feel intimidated.
I recommend that the first time you meet with them, you explain in simply terms the purpose of your work, how important it is to work in a team. It is important that you mention that if they have any concern or opinion, they should feel free to tell you.
Local Perspective:Nicaraguans are genuinely friendly people, but at the same time a bit reserved. If you meet somebody for the first time, general questions such as place of origin and/or marital status are acceptable. Humour is accepted as well by the majority of Nicaraguans. The only topic that you must avoid is politics; your opinion can upset people.
If talking to a farmer and they know that you are there to help to increase their productivity they will be more than happy to change their way of working or they would be more open to new ideas. If you are talking to professionals, sometimes, you can encounter difficulties. In Nicaragua, the percentage of unemployment is very high. People are concerned that they can lose their job. If you are implementing a different system, they can feel intimidated.
I recommend that the first time you meet with them, you explain in simply terms the purpose of your work, how important it is to work in a team. It is important that you mention that if they have any concern or opinion, they should feel free to tell you.
Display of Emotion
Question:Are public displays of affection, anger or other emotions acceptable?
Local Perspective:Yes, usually friends salute each other with a hug and/or a kiss. Otherwise, they could feel offended.
People with very little education or exposure to foreigners may be apprehensive with foreign people and may be more likely to show anger than is typical.
Local Perspective:Yes, usually friends salute each other with a hug and/or a kiss. Otherwise, they could feel offended.
People with very little education or exposure to foreigners may be apprehensive with foreign people and may be more likely to show anger than is typical.
Dress, Punctuality, & Formality
Question:What should I know about the workplace environment (deadlines, dress, formality, etc.)?
Local Perspective:Depends on the situation, the occasion, the type of work, the level of the position and the type of profession. For example, if you work in a financial institution, you are expected to dress semi-formal; if you work in the Ministry of Environment with field and office technicians, you can either dress casually or wear jeans. In rural areas and if doing fieldwork, jeans/working pants are the most common type of wear.
The first time you address your colleagues, it depends on the position they occupy. If at the same level, you can use the person’s first name. Even in more formal situations this can change with time, depending on the frequency of interaction with that particular individual.
Don’t get stressed out about time. Nicaraguans are usually late (at least one hour).
Local Perspective:Depends on the situation, the occasion, the type of work, the level of the position and the type of profession. For example, if you work in a financial institution, you are expected to dress semi-formal; if you work in the Ministry of Environment with field and office technicians, you can either dress casually or wear jeans. In rural areas and if doing fieldwork, jeans/working pants are the most common type of wear.
The first time you address your colleagues, it depends on the position they occupy. If at the same level, you can use the person’s first name. Even in more formal situations this can change with time, depending on the frequency of interaction with that particular individual.
Don’t get stressed out about time. Nicaraguans are usually late (at least one hour).
Preferred managerial Qualities
Question:What qualities are most highly regarded in a local superior/manager? How will I know how my staff view me?
Local Perspective:First, education; second, being hard working. Usually young professionals are open to changes and eager to learn new ideas that can help them get more work experience. On the other hand, you can find some difficulty with older professionals. Some of them are not willing to change their ways, but you can ask questions and maintain your point of view in order to get their support.
Local Perspective:First, education; second, being hard working. Usually young professionals are open to changes and eager to learn new ideas that can help them get more work experience. On the other hand, you can find some difficulty with older professionals. Some of them are not willing to change their ways, but you can ask questions and maintain your point of view in order to get their support.
Hierarchy and Decision-Making
Question:In the workplace, how are decisions taken and by whom? Is it acceptable to go to my immediate supervisor for answers or feedback?
Local Perspective:Supervisors or managers make the decisions unless it is teamwork; in such case it is better to discuss any problem or proposal with the team leader.
Local Perspective:Supervisors or managers make the decisions unless it is teamwork; in such case it is better to discuss any problem or proposal with the team leader.
Religion, Class, Ethnicity, and Gender
Question:Briefly describe the local culture’s attitudes regarding the following: Gender, Class, Religion and Ethnicity. What impact would the above attitudes have on the workplace?
Local Perspective:
Gender:
Men and women have the same opportunities to get an education and to find a job.
Religion:
73% of the population is Roman Catholic and the other 16% are protestant.
Class:
In the urban context there are three main categories:
High class: Aristocratic families (indicator of this are last names) and big scale business people;
Middle class: Professionals and small business;
Low class: which includes paid labourers, people living in poor neighbourhoods and marginal urban and peri-urban areas. The class issue in rural areas is less conspicuous and mostly determined by access to land and natural and economic resources.
Ethnicity:
The population is composed as follows: 69% Mestizo; 7% European descendants; 9% Africans; 5% Indigenous. Nicaraguans are very respectful with the way you think and act. In general, religion and ethnicity do not affect relations in the workplace.
Local Perspective:
Gender:
Men and women have the same opportunities to get an education and to find a job.
Religion:
73% of the population is Roman Catholic and the other 16% are protestant.
Class:
In the urban context there are three main categories:
High class: Aristocratic families (indicator of this are last names) and big scale business people;
Middle class: Professionals and small business;
Low class: which includes paid labourers, people living in poor neighbourhoods and marginal urban and peri-urban areas. The class issue in rural areas is less conspicuous and mostly determined by access to land and natural and economic resources.
Ethnicity:
The population is composed as follows: 69% Mestizo; 7% European descendants; 9% Africans; 5% Indigenous. Nicaraguans are very respectful with the way you think and act. In general, religion and ethnicity do not affect relations in the workplace.
Relationship Building
Question:How important is it to establish a personal relationship with a colleague or client before getting to business?
Local Perspective:Nicaraguans are very friendly people, but at the beginning is better to keep business separate from friendship. This may come with time.
Local Perspective:Nicaraguans are very friendly people, but at the beginning is better to keep business separate from friendship. This may come with time.
Privilegees and Favoritisum in the workplace
Privileges and Favouritism Question:Would a colleague or employee expect special privileges or considerations given our personal relationship or friendship
Local Perspective:Although it is not a rule of thumb, it does happen, particularly if the boss is a national. In the case of foreigners in the workplace what would usually happens is that he/she might be approached to borrow money or to do a favour such as hiring a relative or an acquaintance.
Local Perspective:Although it is not a rule of thumb, it does happen, particularly if the boss is a national. In the case of foreigners in the workplace what would usually happens is that he/she might be approached to borrow money or to do a favour such as hiring a relative or an acquaintance.
Recommended Books, Films, and Foods
Recommended Books, Films & Foods Question:To help me learn more about the local culture(s), please recommend: books, films, television shows, foods and web sites.
Local Perspective:
Useful internet links: www.Nicaragua.com; www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/central_america/Nicaragua; www.Nicaragua-online.com
Books/Novels: Even though I read these books in Spanish, the following are probably available in French or English since they are written by famous Nicaraguan authors or poets: Amérique Centrale : Les Naufragés d’Esquipulas, Maurice Lemoine (policital journalist); La mujer habitada (The Inhabited Woman), Gioconda Belli (writer and poet whose works discuss the Revolution); Adios Muchacho (Good-bye Fellows), Sergio Ramirez (book about the memoirs of the former Vice-President of Nicaragua from the 1970s to 1990s); and Once anos despues del ajuste, Oscar René Vargas (analysis of the socio-economic situation in Nicaragua from 1990 to 2001).
Music/Musicians: Examples of folkloric music include Los Mejia Godoy and Dimension Costena.
The most common traditional dishes include gallo pinto (rice mixed with beans), chicken, fish (in seaside cities or towns on Lake Nicaragua), plantains, avocados, fruit, and fruit juices..
Major Newspapers: El Nueveo Diario: http://www-ni.elnuevodiario.com.ni/ and La Prensa: http://www-ni.laprensa.com.ni/
Local Perspective:
Useful internet links: www.Nicaragua.com; www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/central_america/Nicaragua; www.Nicaragua-online.com
Books/Novels: Even though I read these books in Spanish, the following are probably available in French or English since they are written by famous Nicaraguan authors or poets: Amérique Centrale : Les Naufragés d’Esquipulas, Maurice Lemoine (policital journalist); La mujer habitada (The Inhabited Woman), Gioconda Belli (writer and poet whose works discuss the Revolution); Adios Muchacho (Good-bye Fellows), Sergio Ramirez (book about the memoirs of the former Vice-President of Nicaragua from the 1970s to 1990s); and Once anos despues del ajuste, Oscar René Vargas (analysis of the socio-economic situation in Nicaragua from 1990 to 2001).
Music/Musicians: Examples of folkloric music include Los Mejia Godoy and Dimension Costena.
The most common traditional dishes include gallo pinto (rice mixed with beans), chicken, fish (in seaside cities or towns on Lake Nicaragua), plantains, avocados, fruit, and fruit juices..
Major Newspapers: El Nueveo Diario: http://www-ni.elnuevodiario.com.ni/ and La Prensa: http://www-ni.laprensa.com.ni/
In-Country Activites
Question: When in this country, I want to learn more about the culture(s) and people. What activities can you recommend?
Local Perspective:
Newspapers: La Prensa and El Nuevo Diario
Traditional food: Gallo pinto, baho, sopa de mondongo, indio viejo, vigoron.
Places to Visit: Nicaragua is a small country and there are many things to discover including its people, towns, and the following outdoor sites: Ometepe and Solentiname Islands, San Juian del Sur and its surrounding beaches, the colonial towns of Granada and Leon, Masaya and its market, the Atlantic Coast and in particular Corn Island, various volcanoes, and much more. However, the city of Managua is not very interesting to visit, although it is not particularly dangerous to live there (providing you are careful where you go).Theatre Ruben Dario, La Plaza de la Revolucion, El Malecon,
Concerts/Shows: The Mejia Godoy brothers put on a concert at the Casa Mejia Godoy in Managua every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Cafés-restaurants-bars: The Casa del Café, Restaurante El Moelle, Bar La Rumba and Bar Island Taste are all located in Managua.
Radio Primerisima is a recommended radio program.
Local Perspective:
Newspapers: La Prensa and El Nuevo Diario
Traditional food: Gallo pinto, baho, sopa de mondongo, indio viejo, vigoron.
Places to Visit: Nicaragua is a small country and there are many things to discover including its people, towns, and the following outdoor sites: Ometepe and Solentiname Islands, San Juian del Sur and its surrounding beaches, the colonial towns of Granada and Leon, Masaya and its market, the Atlantic Coast and in particular Corn Island, various volcanoes, and much more. However, the city of Managua is not very interesting to visit, although it is not particularly dangerous to live there (providing you are careful where you go).Theatre Ruben Dario, La Plaza de la Revolucion, El Malecon,
Concerts/Shows: The Mejia Godoy brothers put on a concert at the Casa Mejia Godoy in Managua every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Cafés-restaurants-bars: The Casa del Café, Restaurante El Moelle, Bar La Rumba and Bar Island Taste are all located in Managua.
Radio Primerisima is a recommended radio program.
National Heroes
Question: Who are this country's national heroes?
Local Perspective: History: Cacique Nicaraocalli; Rafaela Herrera; Andres Castro; Augusto Cesar Sandino; Rigoberto Lopez Perez; Carlos Fonseca, AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE PERISHED AT WAR.
Literature: Ruben Dario Sarmiento; Salomon de la Selva; Pablo Antonio Cuadra, and Ernesto Cardenal.
Music: Jose de la Cruz Mena, Rafael Gaston Perez, Elias Palacio, el Indio Pan de Rosa, Los Mejia Godoy
Local Perspective: History: Cacique Nicaraocalli; Rafaela Herrera; Andres Castro; Augusto Cesar Sandino; Rigoberto Lopez Perez; Carlos Fonseca, AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE PERISHED AT WAR.
Literature: Ruben Dario Sarmiento; Salomon de la Selva; Pablo Antonio Cuadra, and Ernesto Cardenal.
Music: Jose de la Cruz Mena, Rafael Gaston Perez, Elias Palacio, el Indio Pan de Rosa, Los Mejia Godoy