Mexico City Dress Code

Loose, light fabrics are favored in the Mexico City climate. Daytime wear is cool and casual with suits not necessarily required for business, although this depends on the occasion as more formal meetings require formal dress, such as a suit and tie or tailored dress. Some people prefer to be slightly dressier for the evening, and several of the more expensive hotels and restaurants may expect a suit and tie or similar clothing. A warm jacket can be useful as the evenings can become cool.

Greeting Someone in Mexico City

Generally, most people address each other on first-name terms. The standard business greeting is a handshake. However, Mexico City is a great deal more formal than the resort towns, as might be expected for a city of its size, and people here can be less friendly than elsewhere in Mexico - so bear this in mind.

Mexico City Business Hours and Banking

In Mexico City, most offices are open from 09:00 to 17:00 or even 19:00, Monday to Friday. Most people leave for the afternoon meal around 14:00 and take between 1 and 2 hours. The Mexican government normally works from 10:00 to 20:00 (if not later) lunch is usually one hour sometimes two and is taken somewhere between 14:00 and 17:00. All banks are open from 09:00 to 13:30, Monday to Friday. Branches in Mexico City center tend to operate from 8:00 to 19:00.

Mexico City Smoking

Mexican restaurants are keen to offer areas that cater for those who smoke and those who don't, with some operating complete No-Smoking policies. In business, it is advisable to refrain and take cues from the host.