Typically, a meeting in an American office setting takes place 1) to convey an important message and/or 2) to finalize a decision. However, when doing business in Spain, do not expect the latter. Decisions are rarely reached at meetings. Instead, meetings serve as an open forum of discussion to share ideas.
Another thing to keep in mind is to not let interruptions get to you. While you may exchange ideas in a Spanish meeting, interruptions are actually considered a good thing since it shows that the person was listening to the conversation.
Here are other tips to consider when it comes to Spanish business meetings:
- Spanish people are usually indirect when they try to give their opinion, so watch for any nonverbal cues
- Business is rarely conducted in the first meeting since it serves more as an icebreaker between all of the attendants
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