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| Today, Peru reflects a mixture of ancient sites, colonial architecture, diverse cultures and many languages. |
I grew up with my nose buried in Enid Blyton's Famous Fiveand Secret Seven, and later devoured every page of Carolyn Keene's Nancy Drew mysteries. Those stories ignited my passion for solving mysteries and unravelling intrigue. As a teenager, my imagination was set ablaze by the cinematic magic of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark—a whirlwind of treasure-hunting adventures spanning South America to the Middle East. So, when the opportunity to visit Peru arose, I didn’t just say yes—I was all in.
The Backstory of Peru
Archaeologists have discovered that Peru’s rich history spans thousands of years over 15,000 years, beginning with the ancient Norte Chico civilization to the Moche, Nazca, and Chavín, then to the Inca Empire in the 15th century. The Spanish conquest in 1532, led by Francisco Pizarro, toppling and plundering the Incas, led to the colonization of the region and a fusion of Spanish and indigenous cultures. Peru gained independence in 1821, driven by revolutionary leaders like José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar. Today, it reflects a mixture of ancient sites, colonial architecture, diverse cultures and many languages.
What Not To Say or Do with Peruvians
When interacting with Peruvians, it's important to be mindful of certain cultural sensitivities, such as:
• Refrain from making jokes about illegal drugs, as such comments are considered offensive rather than humorous. The Peruvians have held the coca leaf in high regard for thousands of years for its medicinal properties, which especially help with gastrointestinal ailments, motion and altitude sickness.
• Never use the term “cholo” to refer to indigenous or mestizo Peruvians. Dictionary.com states its derogatory meaning; “an immigrant who is considered to be low-class and poorly educated”. On the flipside if you’re referred to as gringo, it’s usually not intended as an insult but as a general term for foreigners, every country uses a similar term.
• Avoid bringing up political topics unless you have built a strong rapport, as these can be polarising and sensitive. Also, avoid talking about the historical rivalry between Peru and Chile, as that can also be contentious.
• While Peruvians take pride in their Inca heritage, avoid stereotyping modern Peruvian culture as solely tied to ancient traditions, as it has evolved significantly. Also, be cautious not to generalise Peruvians with other Hispanic or Latin American populations, as each country has its own distinct culture, which you will find out once travelling through the Americas.
• Lastly, I made the mistake of casually referring to South America as “America.” I quickly learned that when referring to the United States, it's more appropriate to use “United States” or “Estados Unidos” in Spanish. South America, on the other hand, is often referred to as part of “The Americas,” while Canada is recognised as part of North America. After being corrected several times, the lesson stuck with me—it was as unforgettable as the fiery experience of eating a single Paqui tortilla chip! (which I highly do not recommend).
Social and Greeting Etiquette
Peruvians place great importance on introductions and greetings. Common greeting phrases include “buenos días” -good morning, “buenas tardes” - good afternoon and “buenas noches” for good evening. The greeting is done by a firm handshake and eye contact, while professionals are addressed by their titles, especially in formal settings or when meeting someone for the first time. This is a way to acknowledge and welcome individuals into a home or business.
Among friends and family, the “abrazo” or embrace, is common, consisting of a handshake and hug between men or a hug and kiss on the right cheek between women. Men often add a pat on the back when greeting close friends or family. Addressing people is also culturally significant. Friends often use first names or nicknames. Older individuals are typically addressed as “Señor” or “Señora” followed by their surname, or more informally as “Don” or “Doña” with their first name.
Explore Peruvian Dining Etiquette
The traditional cuisine of Peru is deeply embedded in the nation's cultural and culinary heritage. Iconic dishes include ceviche, and fresh raw fish marinated in lime juice and served with sweet potatoes and corn, which are best eaten fresh with a fork to combine the flavours. Popular street foods like anticuchos (grilled beef heart skewers) are eaten straight off the stick with lime and spicy sauce, while hearty Andean dishes like pachamanca are earth-cooked meals of marinated meats and vegetables, enjoyed family-style, and fingers can be used to eat this amazing meal.
Peruvians enjoy a variety of meats that may be considered exotic elsewhere, which I did try whilst travelling through Peru. Cuy (guinea pig), a traditional Andean delicacy, are often roasted or fried and has a tender, gamey flavour, which I really enjoyed. Alpaca and llama meat, both lean and protein-rich, are common in the Andes, with alpaca offering a mild, slightly sweet taste and llama resembling lamb or venison. I found the meat to be quite fatty, which makes sense given that these animals spend much of their time in cold environments, requiring extra fat for insulation.
Reflecting on my journey through Peru, I couldn’t help but feel like I was channelling Indiana Jones himself. As Indy once said, “It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage,” and my time in Peru added miles of unforgettable experiences to my life’s map. Peru’s treasures—its culture, cuisine, and people—proved to be as priceless as any artifact Indy might have sought. It was an adventure that deepened my appreciation for this remarkable country. — By Elizabeth Soos, Founder of Auersmont School of Etiquette & Protocol
The Backstory of Peru
Archaeologists have discovered that Peru’s rich history spans thousands of years over 15,000 years, beginning with the ancient Norte Chico civilization to the Moche, Nazca, and Chavín, then to the Inca Empire in the 15th century. The Spanish conquest in 1532, led by Francisco Pizarro, toppling and plundering the Incas, led to the colonization of the region and a fusion of Spanish and indigenous cultures. Peru gained independence in 1821, driven by revolutionary leaders like José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar. Today, it reflects a mixture of ancient sites, colonial architecture, diverse cultures and many languages.
What Not To Say or Do with Peruvians
When interacting with Peruvians, it's important to be mindful of certain cultural sensitivities, such as:
• Refrain from making jokes about illegal drugs, as such comments are considered offensive rather than humorous. The Peruvians have held the coca leaf in high regard for thousands of years for its medicinal properties, which especially help with gastrointestinal ailments, motion and altitude sickness.
• Never use the term “cholo” to refer to indigenous or mestizo Peruvians. Dictionary.com states its derogatory meaning; “an immigrant who is considered to be low-class and poorly educated”. On the flipside if you’re referred to as gringo, it’s usually not intended as an insult but as a general term for foreigners, every country uses a similar term.
• Avoid bringing up political topics unless you have built a strong rapport, as these can be polarising and sensitive. Also, avoid talking about the historical rivalry between Peru and Chile, as that can also be contentious.
• While Peruvians take pride in their Inca heritage, avoid stereotyping modern Peruvian culture as solely tied to ancient traditions, as it has evolved significantly. Also, be cautious not to generalise Peruvians with other Hispanic or Latin American populations, as each country has its own distinct culture, which you will find out once travelling through the Americas.
• Lastly, I made the mistake of casually referring to South America as “America.” I quickly learned that when referring to the United States, it's more appropriate to use “United States” or “Estados Unidos” in Spanish. South America, on the other hand, is often referred to as part of “The Americas,” while Canada is recognised as part of North America. After being corrected several times, the lesson stuck with me—it was as unforgettable as the fiery experience of eating a single Paqui tortilla chip! (which I highly do not recommend).
Social and Greeting Etiquette
Peruvians place great importance on introductions and greetings. Common greeting phrases include “buenos días” -good morning, “buenas tardes” - good afternoon and “buenas noches” for good evening. The greeting is done by a firm handshake and eye contact, while professionals are addressed by their titles, especially in formal settings or when meeting someone for the first time. This is a way to acknowledge and welcome individuals into a home or business.
Among friends and family, the “abrazo” or embrace, is common, consisting of a handshake and hug between men or a hug and kiss on the right cheek between women. Men often add a pat on the back when greeting close friends or family. Addressing people is also culturally significant. Friends often use first names or nicknames. Older individuals are typically addressed as “Señor” or “Señora” followed by their surname, or more informally as “Don” or “Doña” with their first name.
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| Reflecting on my journey through Peru, I couldn’t help but feel like I was channelling Indiana Jones himself. As Indy once said, “It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage,” and my time in Peru added miles of unforgettable experiences to my life’s map. Peru’s treasures—its culture, cuisine, and people—proved to be as priceless as any artifact Indy might have sought. |
Explore Peruvian Dining Etiquette
The traditional cuisine of Peru is deeply embedded in the nation's cultural and culinary heritage. Iconic dishes include ceviche, and fresh raw fish marinated in lime juice and served with sweet potatoes and corn, which are best eaten fresh with a fork to combine the flavours. Popular street foods like anticuchos (grilled beef heart skewers) are eaten straight off the stick with lime and spicy sauce, while hearty Andean dishes like pachamanca are earth-cooked meals of marinated meats and vegetables, enjoyed family-style, and fingers can be used to eat this amazing meal.
Peruvians enjoy a variety of meats that may be considered exotic elsewhere, which I did try whilst travelling through Peru. Cuy (guinea pig), a traditional Andean delicacy, are often roasted or fried and has a tender, gamey flavour, which I really enjoyed. Alpaca and llama meat, both lean and protein-rich, are common in the Andes, with alpaca offering a mild, slightly sweet taste and llama resembling lamb or venison. I found the meat to be quite fatty, which makes sense given that these animals spend much of their time in cold environments, requiring extra fat for insulation.
Reflecting on my journey through Peru, I couldn’t help but feel like I was channelling Indiana Jones himself. As Indy once said, “It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage,” and my time in Peru added miles of unforgettable experiences to my life’s map. Peru’s treasures—its culture, cuisine, and people—proved to be as priceless as any artifact Indy might have sought. It was an adventure that deepened my appreciation for this remarkable country. — By Elizabeth Soos, Founder of Auersmont School of Etiquette & Protocol
For many years, Etiquipedia contributor, Elizabeth Soos, has had a keen interest in cultural customs. With her European background and extensive travel, Soos developed an interest in the many forms of respect and cultural expectations in the countries she has visited. With her 20 years’ experience in customer service within private international companies based in Australia, and her lifetime interest in manners and research, she decided to branch out into the field of etiquette and deportment. Through her self-directed studies and by completing the Train-The-Trainer’s course offered by Emma Dupont’s School of Etiquette in London and by Guillaume Rue de Bernadac at Academie de Bernadac based in Paris and Shanghai, she founded Auersmont School of Etiquette. Elizabeth is currently traveling throughout India and brushing up on her Hindi.
🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia
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