United States & Mexico

Working Hours

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Varies significantly by coast—East Coast starts 3 hours earlier than West Coast. Many tech companies have flexible hours.

Lunch Break

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

30-60 minutes, often eaten at desk or during meetings

Business Etiquette

• •Direct communication style is preferred—get to the point quickly
• •Punctuality is highly valued; being late is seen as disrespectful
• •First names are commonly used even with senior colleagues
• •Email and Slack are primary communication channels
• •Work-life boundaries are increasingly respected, especially post-pandemic

Major Holidays

• Thanksgiving — Late November (4th Thursday)
• Independence Day — July 4
• Christmas-New Year — December 24 - January 1
• Memorial Day — Last Monday of May
• Labor Day — First Monday of September

Communication Style

Direct and results-oriented. Americans value efficiency and clear action items from meetings.

Meeting Culture

Agendas are expected, discussions are time-boxed. Video calls have become standard. Meetings often start with brief small talk.

Working Hours

9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Mexico shares time zones with the US (Central, Mountain, Pacific). Lunch breaks are longer than in the US. Many companies have adopted flexible hours for remote work.

Lunch Break

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

1-2 hours, often the main meal of the day

Business Etiquette

• •Personal relationships are essential—expect small talk before business
• •Punctuality is flexible; 15-30 minute delays are common
• •Formal titles (Licenciado, Ingeniero) are used in professional settings
• •Face-to-face meetings are preferred for important discussions
• •Family is highly valued; questions about family are appropriate

Major Holidays

• Independence Day — September 15-16
• Day of the Dead — November 1-2
• Revolution Day — November 20
• Christmas-New Year — December 24 - January 1
• Holy Week (Semana Santa) — March/April (varies)

Communication Style

Warm, personal, and relationship-oriented. Mexicans value building rapport and may mix business with personal conversation.

Meeting Culture

Meetings often start with personal catch-up. Agendas are flexible. Building consensus matters more than rigid schedules.