1. Be on time. Despite what you may have heard about Southern European customs, Spaniards are punctual (at least as punctual as traffic snarls permit). If you arrive first, either wait in the bar or ask for the table that has been reserved.
2. Lunch rarely starts before 2:30 p.m. Spain runs on a different schedule than the rest of Europe. Most Spaniards begin the day with a light continental breakfast on the way to work, take a break at 11 a.m. for coffee, have lunch at 2:30 p.m. and then dine at 9:30 p.m. or later. A business lunch will take at least an hour and a half, and two and a half hours is not unusual.
3. A luncheon is a social occasion first, a business event second. Personal relationships are important. The Spanish executive will want to get to know and trust the person with whom he may do business. Lunch is his opportunity for getting better acquainted with you. Appropriate conversations include sports, travel, family, vacations, politics and old friends.
4. Your guests will be impressed if you pick an appropriate restaurant. Spaniards like to be seen by and see people they know.
5. Most meals are accompanied by wine. Spaniards like their excellent domestic reds (vino tinto) so much that they will drink them with not only meat, but also the traditional white wine dishes of fish and fowl. In a fine restaurant, you can rarely go wrong by asking for the vino de la casa or the headwaiter's suggestion.
6. Hands should be kept above the table at all times, if necessary resting the forearms on the table edge. Spanish mothers reprimand their children if both hands are not in view: "What are you hiding in that other hand?" This suspicion dates back to the days of swords, daggers and courtly plots.
7. When business does come up (and it is best to wait for the Spaniard to raise it), talk principles. Do not pull spreadsheets or reports from your briefcase, start drawing calculations on the napkin, or press on money-related subjects.
8. If you are the host, signal discretely for the bill (la cuenta) after the coffee has been served and liquors offered. The waiter will never bring the bill to you unasked, but he will be prompt once you have done so.
9. Your business lunch may appear to end with nothing more than warm thanks and a promise to follow up, but expect results. Most Spaniards will be in touch the following day with a confirming letter, a request for those spreadsheets or documents you didn't pull out at the table, or they will have a member of their staff contact you or your staff. Be conscientious about anything you have promised.
Doing Business In Spain
The Andalucia region of Spain was recently named as Europes best golf destination and with resorts such as La Manga Club, it's little wonder this is the perfect destination for a golf weekend break. La Manga is home to three championship golf courses, as well as an impressive range of practice facilities and with the gloomy weather set to continue at home, its the ideal place to work on your technique and soak up some sunshine.
Countless international tournaments have been held at the resort and it is widely regarded to be one of the best golf weekend break in Europe. Those looking to develop their skills will find expert coaching on offer at La Mangas Golf Academy, with instructors combining state-of-the-art video analysis with traditional teaching methods. Meanwhile, La Manga is equally renowned for its exceptional tennis facilities, which include 28 multi-surface courts and a Tennis Academy.
There are few holiday resorts within such easy reach of the UK for a golf weekend that can boast as fine golfing facilities as those demonstrated at La Manga Club for golf weekend. Many holidaymakers visit La Manga Club time and time again to indulge in a relaxing beach holiday that offers luxury, tranquillity and arguably the best weekend golf facilities on the Mediterranean. There are few holiday resorts within such easy reach of the UK that can boast as fine golfing facilities as those demonstrated at La Manga Club.
Many holidaymakers visit La Manga Club time and time again to indulge in a relaxing beach holiday that offers luxury, tranquillity and arguably the best golfing facilities on the Mediterranean. Whether visiting in the summer or the winter months, golf enthusiasts can be guaranteed their fair share of superb sunshine.
A golf weekend at La Manga Club is not restricted to one playing area, instead golfers can test their putting, chipping and driving skills on a range of courses including the South Course, North Course and the West Course. Regularly voted number one in such categories as European Golf Resort of the Year, Hertz International Golf Travel Awards, Europe's Leading Golf Resort, World Travel Awards, Spain's Leading Golf Resort and so forth, La Manga Club is great for holidaymakers who are fine-tuning their technique or learning the basics of the game.
La Manga Club is the official winter training base of the German PGA in Spain and the resort has also played host to several international tournaments such as the Spanish Open, the Spanish PGA Championships, the Spanish Junior Championships and the Ladies' Spanish Open as well as the Senior Spanish Open for men. However, for amateur players, tranquil surroundings, breathtaking views and great coaching staff provide a top combination for improvement.
La Manga Club's Academy of Golf offers tutoring for groups and individuals of all levels including beginners and experienced players. The West, South and North courses provide golfers with a variety of holes and a range of difficulty levels in terms of greens.
Additionally, there is a large practice area with driving range along with putting and chipping greens for training purposes. The floodlit driving range features 90 practice bays and those needing tuition can receive it from qualified golf professionals in five-day courses which are taken in three hour morning session. Holidaymakers who do not have their own clubs can hire equipment from the Golf Administration. Quality golf club are available for hire along with pull and electric trollies and golf buggies.
Those playing on the courses must fit their golf shoes with soft spikes - a fitting service for which is available. And for those on family holidays in Spain, more laid back golf can be enjoyed on the the pitch and putt course. Whether visiting in the summer or the winter months, golf enthusiasts can be guaranteed their fair share of superb sunshine. La Manga Club is the official winter training base of the German PGA in Spain and the resort has also played host to several international tournaments such as the Spanish Open, the Spanish PGA Championships, the Spanish Junior Championships and the Ladies' Spanish Open as well as the Senior Spanish Open for men.
However, for amateur players, tranquil surroundings, breathtaking views and great coaching staff provide a top combination for improvement. La Manga Club's Academy of Golf offers tutoring for groups and individuals of all levels including beginners and experienced players. The West, South and North courses provide golfers with a variety of holes and a range of difficulty levels in terms of greens.
Additionally, there is a large practice area with driving range along with putting and chipping greens for training purposes. The floodlit driving range features 90 practice bays and those needing tuition can receive it from qualified golf professionals in five-day courses which are taken in three hour morning session. Holidaymakers who do not have their own clubs can hire equipment from the Golf Administration. Quality golf club are available for hire along with pull and electric trollies and golf buggies.
Those playing on the courses must fit their golf shoes with soft spikes - a fitting service for which is available. And for those on family holidays in Spain, more laid back golf can be enjoyed on the the pitch and putt course.
Both Robert Greene & Michael J Lee are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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