Keys to courtesy and hierarchy in the Mexican office
By Liliana Ramos7 min read
Usted as a sign of respect, titles like Licenciado or Ingeniero, greetings and small talk before getting down to business, respect for authority and the use of WhatsApp: five customs Mexicans bring to any office, whatever the company.
Starting work in Querétaro means joining a team with customs nobody covers in onboarding: how people address each other, how they greet, how they ask for things and even how they use their phones. Knowing them helps you read your colleagues and team members better from day one.
Every company has its own way of working, depending on its industry, its size and its country of origin. That's why this guide isn't about how an office should run, but about something most Mexicans share wherever they work: the customs of courtesy and respect they bring from their culture. Understanding them doesn't mean changing your style; it means knowing what's behind what you'll see around you.
If you've just arrived, you may also like our article on 8 things about everyday life in Mexico that surprise newcomers, where we talk about punctuality and the "yes" that doesn't always mean yes.
#1 Usted or tú: how the relationship starts and changes
Spanish has two ways of saying "you": "usted", which is more formal and respectful, and "tú", which is more familiar. In Mexico, "usted" is widely used at work, especially with older people, superiors, clients and people you've just met.
If a team member or a supplier still addresses you as "usted" after several weeks, it isn't coldness or distance: it's a way of showing you respect. In many cases they'll keep doing so even when the relationship is very good, especially if you hold a higher position or are older.
The switch to "tú" usually happens naturally, and it's often suggested by the older or more senior person, with phrases like "háblame de tú" ("call me tú") or "por favor, tutéame" ("please, use tú with me"). If someone asks you to, go right ahead. And if you'd rather people use "tú" with you, say so naturally; even then, some people may keep using "usted" out of habit.
Don't worry about mixing up "usted" and "tú": Mexicans greatly appreciate the effort of someone learning their language and rarely take it the wrong way. When in doubt, "usted" is the safest choice with someone you've just met.
#2 Professional titles: Licenciado, Ingeniero, Contador
In Mexico it's very common to address people by their professional title, not just their name. You'll hear "Licenciado" or "Licenciada" (for someone with a bachelor's degree, such as in law or business), "Ingeniero" (engineer), "Arquitecto" (architect), "Contador" (accountant) or "Doctor", sometimes on its own, sometimes with the name: "Ingeniero Ramírez", "Licenciada Paola".
In emails and documents you'll often see the abbreviations: Lic., Ing., Arq., C.P. (certified public accountant) or Dr. In many offices, people are better known by their title than by their surname.
Behind this custom is a deep appreciation for professional education: a degree is a source of personal and family pride. Using the title when you address someone, especially at first, is a sign of respect that people appreciate. If you don't know someone's title, check their email signature or listen to how others address them.
#3 Greetings and small talk before getting down to business
In many Mexican offices, the day starts by greeting colleagues one by one with a "buenos días" ("good morning") and sometimes a handshake or a kiss on the cheek, depending on familiarity and on the custom of the place. Walking straight to your desk without saying hello can come across as cold, even if you don't mean it that way.
Something similar happens at the start of a meeting, a call or even an email. Before getting down to business, it's common to ask "¿cómo estás?" ("how are you?"), "¿cómo te fue el fin de semana?" ("how was your weekend?") or "¿cómo está tu familia?" ("how's your family?"). If you come from a more direct culture, it may feel like wasted time. For many Mexicans, though, that short chat is what builds the trust to work together.
The same closeness shows in other details: birthdays celebrated at the office, group lunches, or colleagues who over time become friends. Family is very present too: it's normal for it to come up in conversations at work, or for someone to ask for time off for a family matter. For many Mexicans, personal life and work aren't so separate.
Transcültural tip
Learn the names of the people you see every day, not just your team: reception, security, the cafeteria, the cleaning staff. Greeting them by name is a simple gesture that people in Mexico really notice, and it speaks very well of you.
#4 Respect for authority
In Mexican culture, respect for authority and for older or more experienced people runs deep, and that shows at work too. For many team members, openly contradicting a superior, especially in front of others, can feel uncomfortable or out of place.
That's why a problem or a disagreement sometimes isn't raised directly, or is mentioned in private rather than in the meeting. This isn't a lack of commitment or initiative: often it's a way of protecting the relationship and showing respect for the other person. Paying attention to these signals will help you better understand what's happening in your team.
#5 WhatsApp, working hours and informal communication
In Mexico, WhatsApp is much more than an app for talking to family: it's also a very common work tool. You'll probably be added to team groups, suppliers may message you there, and some matters get resolved faster with a message than with an email.
What you'll notice
- The greeting comes first: many messages start with "buenos días, ¿cómo estás?" ("good morning, how are you?") before getting to the point, just as in person. Returning the greeting before answering the question is a nice touch.
- Voice messages: it's very common to send voice notes instead of typing, even for work matters.
- Groups: besides work groups, there may be groups for birthday wishes, organizing lunches or sharing announcements.
- Working hours: messages may arrive outside office hours or on weekends. Every company and every team has its own rules about this; if you don't know them, ask what's usual in your team.
As with the rest of communication in Mexico, tone matters: a very short message with no greeting can read as annoyance or anger, even if that's not your intention. A "gracias" ("thank you") or "saludos" ("best regards") at the end goes a long way.
In short
Every company has its own way of working, but there are customs Mexicans bring to any office: "usted" as a sign of respect, the use of professional titles, greetings and small talk before getting down to business, respect for authority and a very personal use of WhatsApp. Knowing them doesn't require you to change your working style; it helps you understand the people you work with and build relationships of trust with them.
Frequently asked questions
At work in Mexico, do people use usted or tú?
It depends on the company and the relationship, but usted (the formal "you") is very common with superiors, clients, older people and people you've just met. The switch to tú (the familiar "you") is usually suggested by the older or more senior person. When in doubt, usted is the safest choice.
Why do Mexicans call people "Licenciado" or "Ingeniero"?
Because in Mexico it's customary to address people by their professional title, as a sign of respect and recognition of their education. Licenciado is used for someone with a bachelor's degree, such as in law or business.
Is it normal to use WhatsApp for work in Mexico?
Yes, it's very common: there are team groups, suppliers who message you there and voice notes. Each company has its own rules on working hours; if you don't know them, ask what's usual in your team.
