Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Moving to Venezuela is more than just a change of country or climate. It’s stepping into a world that combines a profound crisis, extraordinary human warmth, a highly localized language, powerful social codes, and ever-present security constraints. Understanding these cultural differences before leaving is not a luxury: it is a condition for daily survival, and also the key to truly appreciating this country that remains, despite everything, vibrant and generous.
A Country in Crisis… Inhabited by a Culture of Warmth and Resourcefulness
Living in Venezuela today means dealing with a permanent paradox. On one hand, a country with the world’s largest proven oil reserves, impressive cultural diversity, spectacular landscapes, and intense social life. On the other, an unprecedented economic and humanitarian crisis, recurrent shortages, high insecurity, and massive emigration.
Number of Venezuelans who have left the country, representing over one-fifth of the total population.
Daily life is marked by power outages, irregular water distribution, unstable internet connections, and gasoline shortages. Yet, amid these dysfunctions, residents display a capacity for adaptation, mutual aid, and humor that often surprises foreigners. Sociability, family, and solidarity play the role of a cultural buffer against the crisis.
This contrast between material hardship and human warmth is one of the first cultural shocks for an expat: you quickly discover that social life continues, that Carnival or Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations still happen, that conversations remain lively, and that an invitation to share a coffee or an arepa retains its full importance, even when everything else is shaky.
Language, Accent, and Humor: Entering the World of “Chamo” and “Chévere”
The official language is Spanish, more specifically a local Spanish often called “Venezuelan Spanish.” Technically, English exists, but in reality, only about 1% of the population truly masters it. For an expat, not speaking Spanish therefore means condemning oneself to pronounced social and professional isolation.
A Very Local Spanish, Rich in Dialects and Nuances
The country’s Spanish is strongly marked by Canarian, indigenous, African, and European influences. It features distinctive linguistic traits, such as pronouncing “z” and “c” like an “s” (seseo), the aspiration or disappearance of the “s” at the end of a syllable, or the tendency to drop certain “d” sounds.
Depending on the region, pronouns and accents differ considerably. In the Andes, using *usted* among friends is common, signifying respect and closeness. In Zulia, in the west, the pronoun *vos* often replaces *tú*. On Margarita Island, the accent is characterized by a particular pronunciation of the “s” and the transformation of some “l” sounds into “r”. For a Spanish speaker, understanding the language requires adapting to these regional codes, the melodic intonations, and an extensive slang vocabulary.
Venezuelans love diminutives, especially in -ico and -ica, and sprinkle their sentences with local terms. The famous catch-all word vaina can mean “the thing,” “this story,” or “this mess,” depending on the tone. Expressions like chamo/chama (kid, buddy), pana (friend), burda (a lot), or de pinga (awesome, great) appear in all informal conversations.
At work as in daily life, understanding this familiar register allows you to decode nuances and gain acceptance. Conversely, a style that is too rigid or too literary can create distance.
“Chalequeo” and Humor as Social Glue
One of the central social practices is chalequeo: this good-natured teasing, where you mock someone for their quirks, accent, appearance, or origin. Joining a group often involves going through this testing phase; you might be given a nickname based on your nationality, hair color, or a personality trait.
For an expat from a culture with a stronger emphasis on political correctness, French humor, often perceived as direct and mocking, might seem brutal. Its goal is generally not humiliation, but integration. Knowing how to respond with self-deprecation and without taking offense is seen as proof of character and adaptability. Conversely, taking this humor at face value risks creating awkwardness in social interactions.
Humor also serves as a defense mechanism against the crisis: jokes about gasoline shortages, hyperinflation, or power outages punctuate discussions. Understanding this dimension helps grasp how much emotional resilience comes through laughter.
Social Norms, Family, and Appearance: The Society of Connection and Image
Beyond language, the expat quickly discovers the importance of family, appearances, and personal relationships. Living in this country means accepting that almost everything goes through the relational sphere.
Family at the Center of Everything
The extended family is the backbone of society. You rely on cousins to find a doctor, an uncle for a contact in the administration, a sister-in-law to find an apartment. Family mutual aid compensates for institutional failure: many decisions, even professional ones, are first discussed within the intimate circle.
In conversations, spontaneously talking about one’s family is common, and showing interest in your interlocutor’s family is a sign of respect. Conversely, publicly disparaging someone in front of their loved ones or embarrassing them causes a loss of face, which is very poorly perceived.
A Society of Appearance, Despite the Crisis
In a country where a large majority lives below the poverty line, the care given to appearance often strikes expats. Residents place real importance on clothing, hairstyle, and makeup. Even with few means, people strive to remain neat, clean, and “presentable.”
This concern for presentation is also present at work: dress codes remain largely formal, especially in traditional professional settings. Dark suits, well-ironed shirts, and elegant outfits dominate in offices, although in hotter or more informal areas, ties may disappear.
For an expat, showing up unkempt, in shorts or a T-shirt for a professional meeting is a serious cultural mistake; appearance sends a message of status, seriousness, and respect.
Time, Punctuality, and “Hora Venezolana”
The relationship with time constitutes another major gap. The culture is often described as relationship-oriented rather than strictly efficiency-oriented. In practice, this means: you avoid rushing an interlocutor or abruptly interrupting them in the name of a schedule.
In a French social context, it is common and accepted to arrive 15 to 30 minutes late to a party or dinner. Being punctual to the minute can even be perceived as lacking naturalness. On the other hand, for a professional appointment, punctuality is strictly expected. In case of delay, even by a few minutes, it is strongly advised to call ahead and apologize.
More broadly, deadlines and due dates are perceived as flexible. The expression hora venezolana summarizes this time elasticity. For an expat manager used to strict deadlines, this requires an adjustment: setting margins, following up tactfully but without aggression, and accepting that not everything is mapped out to the millimeter.
Security and Daily Behavior: A “Social Survival Code” to Integrate
The security dimension deeply influences ways of living and interacting. The country ranks among the most dangerous in the world in terms of homicide rates, and foreign authorities maintain “do not travel” advisories. This situation shapes everything, from housing choice to simply walking down the street.
Implicit Rules of Conduct on the Street
For an expat, it is essential to understand that certain attitudes considered normal elsewhere become risky here: displaying the latest smartphone, wearing flashy jewelry, relying on public transportation at all hours, walking at night, or moving alone in certain neighborhoods.
Practices adopted by residents to protect themselves against the risks of assault and theft
Avoid taking the same route systematically to avoid becoming a predictable target.
In case of an assault, avoid any confrontation to limit the risk of physical violence.
Prefer withdrawing money in secure, busy locations rather than at isolated ATMs.
Use only recommended and official taxi services for transportation.
Maintain constant awareness of your immediate surroundings to detect any suspicious situations.
Be aware of the risk of being forced to withdraw money under duress, a very real threat.
This culture of caution also translates into the choice of social venues. Meetings readily take place in relatively secure shopping malls, protected buildings, or private circles. Participating in political demonstrations or large gatherings can be perceived as irresponsible, both by locals and by the authorities of your home country.
Housing as the First Line of Protection
For expats, the number one criterion for choosing housing remains security. In the capital, foreigners mainly settle in eastern neighborhoods like Las Mercedes, Altamira, Los Palos Grandes, La Castellana, or El Rosal, where you find buildings with 24/7 security, access control, backup generators, and water tanks.
This quest for security implies a more compartmentalized lifestyle: you move by car rather than on foot, you limit your outings at night, you learn to recognize areas to avoid. This reality can clash with an expat used to moving freely in other major cities, but it is an integral part of the local urban culture.
Observer of Urban Dynamics
Corruption, Checkpoints, and Relations with Authorities
The presence of numerous checkpoints, roadblocks, and law enforcement creates another type of cultural thrill. It is not uncommon for police or military personnel to use a checkpoint to ask for an “arrangement” in exchange for leniency over an alleged infraction.
Locals have developed a form of pragmatism in the face of this widespread corruption. For an expat, the moral dilemma is compounded by a legal risk. Simply having your vehicle or papers confiscated can become an administrative nightmare.
Understanding that the law is not applied uniformly, that judicial delays are extremely long, and that police responses are often non-existent helps better grasp the level of generalized caution and mistrust towards institutions.
Daily Life: Shortages, Dollarization, and Permanent Resourcefulness
The local economy is marked by very high inflation, an ultra-fragile official currency (the sovereign bolívar), and a de facto strong dollarization. The cost of living for an expat paid in foreign currency may seem moderate, but instability and shortages weigh on daily life.
A Dual Economy: Bolívar and Dollar
In practice, many everyday transactions, especially in neighborhoods frequented by expats, are conducted in dollars. Rents, international schools, private clinics, well-stocked supermarkets, or upscale restaurants list their prices in U.S. currency.
On the other hand, a portion of the population is still paid in bolívars, with average local salaries around $200 per month, sometimes less. This gap creates a visible social fracture and fuels some resentment. Flaunting a significantly higher standard of living without restraint can be perceived as a form of provocation.
Expats quickly learn to juggle cash dollars, local cards, transfers, electronic payments, all while knowing that ATMs often malfunction, withdrawal limits are ridiculously low, and power outages can paralyze payment terminals.
Shortages and Supply Management
The consumer culture is disrupted by frequent shortages: certain food, hygiene, or pharmaceutical products disappear for weeks then reappear at very high prices, especially if they are imported.
Residents have developed collective strategies: sharing information about stocked stores, stocking up as soon as a scarce product is available, relying on relatives living abroad to send medications or hard-to-find items. Many expats supplement their purchases during trips to Colombia or Panama.
In a context of shortage, finding a specific medication or a car part becomes a small victory. This changes the perception of waste, storage, and the value of goods. This competition for resources also influences the relationship with solidarity: you help your loved ones when you can, but everyone keeps an eye on their own reserves.
Water, Electricity, Internet: Learning to Live with Instability
Power outages lasting from several hours to several days, water rationing, mobile network and internet failures are part of reality. The culture of “Plan B” becomes essential: having water tanks, generators or at least backup batteries, redundant connection solutions.
For remote work, these constraints change the relationship with time and productivity. The expat collaborating with teams abroad must explain this instability, plan safety margins, anticipate sending documents before a possible outage. This management of technical risk becomes a shared cultural element.
Work, Hierarchy, and Negotiation: The Primacy of Relationship
The professional world combines a strong formal hierarchy, a culture of status, and great importance placed on personal relationships. All this takes place in a devastated economic context, where local salaries are extremely low and many qualified professionals have emigrated.
Hierarchy, Status, and Paternalism
Companies generally operate with marked hierarchical structures. Respect for authority is ingrained: openly contradicting a superior in front of others is not usual and can be perceived as a personal attack. Decision-making is often concentrated in the hands of a small number of leaders.
The manager sometimes adopts a quasi-paternalistic role, taking an interest in the personal life of their collaborators, giving advice on private matters. For an expat, this mix of professional and personal spheres can be surprising, but it fits into the dominant family and community logic.
In a Francophone context, it is important to use academic or professional titles (like ‘Engineer’, ‘Licenciado’, ‘Doctor’) when addressing the individuals concerned, even outside formal situations. Omitting to do so can be perceived as a lack of respect or consideration.
Place of Women and Perception of Authority
Contrary to certain stereotypes, women hold positions of responsibility, including in technical fields like engineering. A female expat in a position of power will generally be accepted as such, provided she masters the codes of mutual respect, distance, and professional elegance.
Machismo exists, as in many Latin American countries, but the presence of female leaders is not exceptional. However, very informal behavior, compliments on appearance, or jokes with a sexual connotation may be more frequent than in Northern Europe, which may require tactful but firm redirection.
Negotiating is More Than Just Talking Contract
In the local context, negotiation is not limited to numbers. It begins well before the meeting, with building a relationship of trust. The first meetings often serve to get to know each other, exchange about family, the country, the general situation. Wanting to “get straight to the point” from the first encounter is a typical mistake of a hurried expat.
Discussions are less linear than in Europe, with frequent topic changes and a slower pace. Aversion to risk is strong, and decision-makers value proof of success elsewhere. Concessions are negotiated over several meetings, preserving the possibility of ‘saving face’ in case of disagreement.
Verbal agreements and personal commitments carry significant symbolic weight. A signed contract remains necessary, but its implementation depends a lot on the quality of the relationship maintained over time. Local partners will often expect flexibility in case of changing context, especially in such a volatile economy.
Ways of Communicating: Between Expressiveness, Indirectness, and Physical Proximity
In exchanges, whether professional or private, the culture combines expressiveness and indirectness. Understanding these codes helps avoid misunderstandings.
A Warm Style to be Decoded
Residents generally speak with enthusiasm and emotion. Tone of voice, gestures, eye contact are all clues to the real message. A silence or a change in intonation can mean more than an explicit phrase. Direct criticism is avoided: people prefer to circumvent conflict, soften a refusal, or not say “no” directly.
For an expat used to frankness, the communication style can seem vague. For instance, responses like “sí va” or “lo vemos” do not guarantee a firm agreement; they can mask a polite refusal or hesitation. The art lies in reading the context, reformulating with diplomacy, and verifying commitments in writing without giving the impression of doubting the other person.
Physical Distance, Contact, and Eye Contact
In daily life, interpersonal distance is shorter than in many Western countries: people stand close, touch the forearm, give a kiss on the cheek after a few meetings, spontaneously accept a friendly abrazo (hug). Constantly stepping back can be interpreted as coldness or mistrust.
In interactions, maintaining prolonged eye contact is valued as a sign of sincerity and engagement. Conversely, avoiding eye contact, particularly during a serious discussion, can raise doubts about your intentions. At the same time, it is crucial to monitor your verbal communication: raising your voice, adopting an aggressive tone, or frequently interrupting your interlocutor is very poorly perceived and harms the quality of the exchange.
Gestures also have their code: pointing at someone with your finger is rude, it’s better to indicate with an open hand. Furthermore, some gestures familiar to Europeans or North Americans can be misinterpreted; for example, the “OK” sign with thumb and index finger forming a circle can be seen as obscene.
Eating, Hosting, Sharing: Food Culture as an Entry Point
Gastronomy plays a central role. It’s not just a matter of taste: eating together structures sociability, hospitality, and family celebrations.
Arepas, Pabellón, and Tequeños: What’s on the Plate
The cuisine blends indigenous, Spanish, African, and European influences. Corn, black beans, rice, plantain, yucca, meats, and a wide range of tropical fruits form the base.
Venezuelan cuisine is illustrated by emblematic dishes like arepas, corn cakes stuffed with cheese, shredded meat, or preparations like reina pepiada (chicken, avocado, mayonnaise). Pabellón criollo, a national dish composed of shredded beef, rice, black beans, and fried plantain, is a culinary summary. Other popular specialties include cachapas (sweet corn pancakes with cheese), fried empanadas, and tequeños (fried cheese sticks in dough), which often punctuate appetizers and gatherings.
For an expat, these dishes are a fantastic vehicle for integration: knowing how to order an arepa with the right filling, enthusiastically commenting on the flavor of a cachapa or a Christmas hallaca gives the impression of entering the culture.
Coffee and Hospitality: A Ritual Not to Neglect
Offering coffee to a guest or colleague is an almost sacred gesture of hospitality. Systematically refusing can be felt as an implicit rejection. Even if you don’t want to consume a lot of caffeine, accepting at least a small cup, or asking for a guayoyo (lighter coffee), allows you to respect the ritual.
Being invited is considered a true honor. It is appreciated to arrive with a small gift, such as flowers (orchids, the national flower, are highly appreciated), chocolates, or a specialty from your country. Complimenting your host’s cooking is essential.
At the table, codes are relatively similar to European customs, but certain details matter: you wait for the host to say buen provecho (enjoy your meal) before starting to eat, you keep your hands visible on the table without putting your elbows on it, you avoid eating while walking in the street, considered inelegant.
Religion, Festivals, and Symbols: What Structures the Collective Imagination
The majority of the population declares itself Catholic, although practice varies. Religious holidays like Holy Week permeate the calendar: processions, rituals, and holidays influence the professional and academic rhythm.
The figure of Simón Bolívar and the commemorations of independence are omnipresent national symbols, visible in flags, statues, street names, and squares. This historical narrative feeds a strong sense of national pride, which persists even among citizens critical of the political situation or considering emigration.
For an expat, showing respect for these references – without launching into political debates – helps create a climate of trust. Conversely, mocking national symbols or adopting a condescending tone towards the country can cut the relationship short.
Diversity, Social Classes, and Displayed Tolerance
The population is the product of mixtures between European descendants (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German), African populations, and indigenous peoples. This diversity is reflected in physical traits, surnames, culinary traditions, linguistic practices. Tolerance and acceptance of differences are often emphasized, although, in reality, social inequalities remain very marked.
Social Classes and Visible Fractures
Society is still strongly structured by class: a wealthy minority and upper middle class, often concentrated in certain secure neighborhoods, enjoy a lifestyle relatively comparable to that of major world metropolises, while the majority faces daily difficulties to eat, get healthcare, or move around.
Expatriation often creates a comfort bubble (secure housing, imported products, international schools) very distant from local reality. While this distance can generate discomfort, it generally constitutes a minimal condition of security for living on site.
Being aware of this gap encourages adopting a humble attitude, avoiding display of wealth, treating with dignity all interlocutors, regardless of their role (driver, security guard, domestic employee…).
Taming These Differences: Some Concrete Benchmarks
When preparing for relocation, it is useful to translate these cultural differences into concrete habits to adopt. Without turning this article into a survival manual, certain principles clearly emerge from the context.
Immerse Yourself in Language and Relationship
Learning the local Spanish, even at a basic level, is a mandatory step. Understanding expressions, codes of politeness, humor, allows you to break isolation, defend yourself in delicate situations, avoid misunderstandings at work.
Investing time in relationships with colleagues, neighbors, or local shopkeepers is crucial. In a context where institutions may be failing, it is often these individual connections that allow you to solve everyday problems effectively.
Integrate the “Calm Paranoid Mode”
Accepting the security reality does not mean living in terror, but rather adopting constant, rational vigilance. You leave at home what could attract envy, you plan daytime trips, you prefer recommended taxis, you avoid certain areas, you follow the advice of locals.
This caution eventually becomes second nature. It modifies the way you walk, look around, choose where to sit in a cafe, decide whether or not to go out in the evening.
Cultivate Patience and Flexibility
Between power outages, administrative delays, price volatility, and the tendency to postpone deadlines, it becomes vital to abandon the illusion of total control. The expat who manages best is often the one who knows how to stay calm, adjust expectations, renegotiate a deadline, improvise a Plan B without being overwhelmed.
This does not mean giving up all demands, but combining firmness and flexibility, while respecting the need to maintain relational harmony.
Some Structuring Data to Keep in Mind
Even if culture cannot be reduced to numbers, some data help understand the general framework in which these behaviors take place.
Economic and Social Situation (Order of Magnitude)
| Indicator | Approximate Value |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 28.5 to 31 million inhabitants |
| Share of Emigrated Population | ≈ 22.5 % (7.7 million people) |
| Poverty Rate | ≈ 80 % |
| Monthly Minimum Wage | 5 to 10 USD |
| Average Local Salary | ≈ 200–220 USD |
| Inflation (September 2024) | ≈ 46 % |
These figures shed light on the underlying social tension, and partly explain why so many doctors, teachers, and qualified professionals leave the country, further weakening public services.
Typical Material Living Conditions for an Expat in Caracas
| Expense Item | Indicative Range (USD/month) |
|---|---|
| Rent, secure 2–3 bedroom apartment | 800 – 1,500 |
| Rent, high-end 3 bedroom apartment | 1,500 – 2,500 |
| Utilities (water, electricity, HOA, etc.) | 100 – 300 |
| International school per child (annual fees) | 15,000 – 20,000 (approx. 1,250–1,700/month) |
| International health insurance (adult) | 2,000 – 5,000/year |
These amounts show how much an expat’s life belongs to a “parallel economy” in dollars, disconnected from local salary realities.
Conclusion: A Demanding Country, a Culture of Great Intensity
Preparing to move to Venezuela means accepting to confront an objectively risky environment, materially unstable and administratively complicated. But it is also the opportunity to discover a culture of great human intensity: a language rich in nuances and humor, warm sociability, an omnipresent family, generous cuisine, and a relationship with the world where improvisation and resourcefulness are arts in themselves.
Cultural differences go far beyond simple customs and touch on the management of time, security, hierarchy, emotions, and solidarity. For an expat, understanding, respecting, and integrating them daily is essential to ensure personal safety and build authentic relationships with the local population.
In a country where everything seems fragile – the economy, infrastructure, institutions – human relationships become the most solid element. This is perhaps the major cultural difference to keep in mind before packing your bags.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. We encourage you to consult qualified experts before making any investment, real estate, or expatriation decisions. Although we strive to maintain up-to-date and accurate information, we do not guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the proposed content. As investment and expatriation involve risks, we disclaim any liability for potential losses or damages arising from the use of this site. Your use of this site confirms your acceptance of these terms and your understanding of the associated risks.
Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
