Peru lies within Central and South America. The country operates a constitutional republic. There are two official languages in Peru: Spanish and Quechua. Amerindian ethnic group (c45%) and Mestizo ethnic group (c37%) account for some 82% of the Peruvian population. Here are ten other cool facts about Peru you never knew.
SEE ALSO: 10 Amazing Facts About Luxembourg You Should Know
Population: 30.38 million (2013)
Capital: Lima
Currency: Sol
President: Pedro Pablo Kuczynski
Prime Minister: Fernando Zavala Lombardi
Continent: South America
Government: Unitary Semi-Presidential Constitutional Republic
Official Languages: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
10 Cool Facts About Peru
1. INDIRECT IS CORRECT
The people prefer the indirect style of communication. They would rather imply what they have in mind than directly voicing it. For example, they would rather say, “My wife would not mind having this recipe” than “Please teach my wife to cook.”
2. APPEARANCE MEANS A LOT
People are overly concerned about how they appear. For that reason, they would do their utmost to keep from saying anything that might reflect badly on them. Therefore, being diplomatic, they usually avoid saying what they are thinking.
3. LISTEN WITH EYES
It matters to Peruvian a lot to know that you are listening to them when they talk. The one way that they use to determine that is to see that you are making eye contact with them. However, holding their gaze would be viewed as bad.
SEE ALSO: 17 Amazing Facts About Uruguay You Should Know
4. THE MACH SOCIETY
Peruvian society is still the macho type. Roles are clear cut along gender lines; some meant for the men folk and others for the women folk. House chores are all viewed as reserved for the women folk. For that reason, it is rare for a man to cook meals in the house. Only wives do that.
5. TALK WITHOUT TALKING
Number 5 facts about Peru is that they have a number of gestures that help them use words less often. One of them is the “hang ten” sign. This usually looks like the phone-call sign. But doing a hang ten sign with the thumb and the little finger extended means, “Let’s go grab a beer”. Cool, right?
6. TALKING HANDS
Another popularly used gesture is an insolent one. It involves slapping the bottom of one elbow with the open palm of the other hand. Should someone do that to you, he is telling you that you are cheap. Learn it…you might need it if you ever go to Peru.
7. SEE YOU SOON
Here is one more popular Peruvian gesture, a positive one. They lift up the arm, and then they point the index finger down and wave it in circles. When a Peruvian does that for you, he is telling you, “I’ll be right back.”
8. NEVER SAY NO
Peruvians have a number of social taboos. Knowing them for one who intends visiting Peru helps in avoiding a number of embarrassments. For instance, it is extremely rude to decline a dinner invitation. It is also very rude to not eat something when you are a guest.
9. NEVER TRY IT
Putting your feet on a chair, desk, or table is highly offensive. You must do your utmost never to do it. In the same vein, crossing your legs by resting the ankle of one leg on the knee of the other leg is repulsive Peruvians. If you must cross legs, cross both legs at the knee.
SEE ALSO: 10 Weird Facts About South Korea You Never Knew
10. NO ELBOWS
At the meal table, some basic table manners are expected to be observed. One such table manner you must observe has to do with how you place your hands. You must avoid resting your elbows on the table while eating and you are expected to use your wrists.
Leave a Reply