Brazilđź•Ł
Country in the eastern and central parts of South America. Official name – the Federative Republic of Brazil. Population – 215.3 million (as of 2020). Capital – BrasĂlia. Official language – Portuguese. Government type – federal presidential republic. Main religion – Catholicism.
Brazil
Greeting
Saying hello and introducing everyone is an essential part of the meeting, as it helps establish a business relationship. Right from the first meeting, your Brazilian partners may greet you warmly and with a lot of emotion. How you respond can really influence how your future cooperation goes, since first impressions matter a lot.
A handshake is the usual way to greet someone. Be sure to shake hands with everyone at the beginning and end of the meeting. Handshakes in Brazil tend to be warm and can last a bit longer.
Physical contact, such as a pat on the back or a hug, is also common. If you seem uncomfortable or avoid these gestures, it might be taken the wrong way. As your relationship grows, your Brazilian partners might become even more open and friendly.
If you know the job titles of the people you're meeting, start by greeting the person with the highest position, then go down the line.
When greeting a woman, wait for her to offer her hand first.
Try to keep steady eye contact during the conversation—it shows interest and respect.
Introduction
Forms of address in Brazil tend to be quite formal, as social recognition, status, and age are generally very important.
When speaking to someone or making introductions, it’s common to use professional titles, academic degrees, or job positions—for example: Doctor Santiago, President GarcĂa, or Executive Sanchez (in Portugue...
Exchange of Business Cards
Always carry plenty of business cards with you, as everyone at the meeting is expected to receive one.
Exchanging business cards is an important part of the meeting, and people usually pay close attention to the information on them.
Brazilians typically have two last names—one from their father and one from their mother<...
Small Talk: Overview
Brazilians tend to speak quickly, emotionally, and often quite loudly. It’s important to match their pace and energy during conversations—otherwise, you might come across as distant or unfriendly.
People usually stand fairly close to each other while talking and maintain steady eye contact throughout the conversation.
Touching a...
Preferred Topics
Popular sports: football (soccer), basketball, volleyball, horse racing, and equestrian sports.
Leisure and hobbies: fishing, Brazilian dances.
Tourist attractions: beaches, natural landscapes, and architectural landmarks.
Local cuisine and a variety of traditional dishes.
Family as an institutio...
Taboo Topics
It’s best to avoid political and religious topics—they can be sensitive.
Try not to bring up Argentina (a long-time rival of Brazil), compare Brazil to Portugal, or say "America" when you mean the U.S.
Avoid talking about ethnic differences among the groups living in Brazil.
Steer clear ...
Personal Space
The usual personal space for conversation is about 50–60 cm (roughly 20–24 inches). It is smaller than in many other cultures — especially in business settings. During conversations, businesspeople might stand quite close to each other. It’s also common to greet with a hug or a hand on the shoulder.
Body language and gestures
Communication Specifics
Brazilians take pride in their Brazilian-Portuguese identity. They might take it personally if they see your materials (even business cards) written in Spanish instead of Portuguese.
It’s best not to refer to Brazilians as “Latinos” or “Latin Americans.”
If you mispronounce or misspell a Brazilian colleague’s name, don’t be surp...
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