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Brazil Cultural Etiquette

Brazil Cultural Etiquette. dOIng Business in Brazil. The People. Friendly Passionate Risk-oriented Very creative. Introductions. Title is usually followed by first name. Firm handshakes exchanged by men. A women extends her hand to a male.

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Brazil Cultural Etiquette

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  1. BrazilCulturalEtiquette dOIng Business in Brazil

  2. The People • Friendly • Passionate • Risk-oriented • Very creative

  3. Introductions • Title is usually followed by first name. • Firm handshakes exchanged by men. • A women extends her hand to a male. • Typically kisses a female associate on either cheek. • Modest socializing is typical before getting down to business. • Good conversation topics: soccer, family and children. • Bad conversation topics: Argentina, politics, poverty, religion, and the Rain Forest.

  4. Meetings • Schedule at least two weeks in advance. • Confirm the meeting 2 days prior. • Set appointments between 10 am–12pm and 3pm-5pm. • Significant decisions are almost always delivered in person. • Eye contact! • Interruptions are common in Brazilian conversations. Interruptions are viewed as enthusiasm. Brazilians enjoy joking, informality, and friendships.

  5. Behavior in Brazil • Relationships is the key to business success. • Some regions have a casualness about both time and work. Not in Sao Paulo or Rio. • Never start into business discussions before your host does. Business meetings normally begin with casual 'chatting' first. • Midday the normal time for the main meal. A light meal is common at night. • American coffee is a mere shadow of Brazilian coffee. Expect to be served small cups of very strong coffee. • In Brazil, restaurant entertainment prevails versus at home.

  6. behaviors CON’T • Giving a gift is not required at a first business meeting; instead buy lunch or dinner. • Toast: Saude or Viva (Sah-OO-Day, VEE-va). • Tipping is typically 10% in Brazil. • Music and long, animated conversation are favorite Brazilian habits.

  7. Appearance in brazil • -Conservative for both sexes. • - Ladies make sure your nails are manicured! • - Three-piece suits vs. two- piece suits. • -Avoid extravagant displays of wealth.

  8. Business Cards • Have business cards printed in both English and Portuguese. • Distribute these to everyone present when you arrive. • Make sure the Portuguese text is facing up. • Shake hands with everyone at the meeting when you are getting ready to leave.

  9. Business Gifts • Purple and black are the colors of mourning. Avoid them! • Smart choices include books, small electronics or goods that are unique to your country. • Send flowers before or after visiting someone’s home for dinner.

  10. Dinning and Entertainment • Always entertain in a prestigious restaurant. • Be prepared for lengthy meals (two hours or more for lunch). Do not discuss business during meals unless your host brings it up. Business may occasionally be discussed at dinner in São Paulo or Rio. • Brazilians always wash their hands before eating and rarely touch food with their hands. Use a knife and fork for everything, even pizza. Always use a napkin while eating or drinking • Using toothpicks in public is not acceptable unless you cover your mouth with your other hand. • When inviting Brazilians to dinner or a party, do not suggest that your guests bring food or drink. Do not expect them to arrive on time, and never indicate a time that the party will "end.” • To beckon a waiter, hold up the index finger of your right hand and quietly say "Garçon." To request the check, say "A conta, por favor." Waiters generally don’t bring checks until they are requested.

  11. Body Language • Brazil is very “touchy”. People stand close together when conversing or when standing in lines. • Touching arms and elbows and backs very common. • The O. K. hand signal a rude gesture in Brazil. • Thumbs up gesture is used for approval. • “It doesn’t matter.” “Don’t Know”. • Disapproval • Delicious • Crazy • Expensive • Full • Hurry up

  12. Body Language Con’t • Closeness • Come here – “Psiupsiu • Watch out • Papo- Furado • Let’s eat! • Let’s have a cafezinho! • Let’s drink a beer.

  13. Helpful Hints • Don’t assume that the "self-made" businessperson is admired in Brazil. Inherited wealth and a good family background are much more desirable. • Brazilians are extremely casual about time. Being ten to fifteen minutes late in business is normal, and twenty to thirty minutes late is not unusual. Be on time for a formal meeting, but prepare to wait for your Brazilian colleagues. • Don’t smoke in public. Federal law bans smoking in public places. • Don’t refer to Brazilians as Latins.

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