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© 2016 Dwellworks
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Discovering Brazil
Etiquette
In Brazil, it is a great part of the culture
to interact with the people around you,
and to enjoy life. For Brazilians,
greetings are the first chance to create
a friend, and this can be seen in
everything from how they say hello, to
their casual attitude towards
punctuality. Keep in mind that personal
space is not an issue for Brazilians,
who often stand very closer together
and favor casual touching of the arms,
elbows, and back.
Greetings and Introductions
In Brazil, the typical way to greet a new or old friend is to kiss on both cheeks by touching
left cheeks first. Women traditionally kiss two or three times, alternating cheeks, when
greeting other women or men. Men do not typically greet other men by kissing on the cheek.
If a Brazilian takes the initiative to kiss, follow along and make sure you turn your face to the
side!
Handshakes are very common in business and when first meeting someone. Among friends,
for both men and women, hugs are typical greetings as well kisses accompanied with a
touch on the arm or shoulder. If you are not familiar with the social situation, or the people
you are with, allow them to take the lead. Greetings are very important in Brazilian culture so
make sure to fully introduce yourself and engage in conversation. Handshakes might last
longer and personal space might be more limited than you are used to. Many people stand
close to one another and have strong eye contact. These practices can be a little surprising
at first, but try to relax and embrace this style of personal interaction.
Business Etiquette
Typical office dress is formal business attire. For men this generally means a suit and tie,
while women will dress in conservative, business formal or casual attire. As many offices are
beginning to adopt a more casual dress code, be sure to check with your employer. When
conducting business, trust is key; interpersonal relationships are sometimes valued higher
than other qualities relating to a business deal.
It is customary for meetings to begin with 10 to 15 minutes of informal small talk, which
should not be abruptly interrupted as this can cause tension. Although punctuality and
timeliness are appreciated in Brazilian business, meeting delays are generally tolerated due
to traffic congestion in the city. Offices generally operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but don't be
surprised if a meeting is scheduled after 6 p.m. Additionally, be prepared for a slightly longer
lunch hour; in Brazil, lunch, rather than dinner, is the main meal.
Punctuality
Brazilians see time as flexible and flowing with a stronger emphasis on personal interaction
rather than on typical areas of courtesy like formal conversation and punctuality.