Discovering Brazil

Page 12

Discovering Brazil

Another way they view time follows the mentality that it doesn’t matter how long something

takes, just that it gets done. This also means that it is very common, and almost expected,

that people will be late, and not just a few minutes late, but often up to 30 minutes late for

social functions. Being at least 5 to 10 minutes late is expected for work meetings,

gatherings with friends, and all other plans or appointments.

Things like traffic, weather, and social norms make tardiness socially acceptable and

expected. When arriving for a social function or party at someone’s house, it is important to

remember that being the first person to arrive or the last to leave is considered impolite, and

often times, the hosts are not expecting guests to arrive on time and won’t be ready. Though

large immigrant populations and international businesses have helped increase punctuality,

it is still a work in progress.

Common Phrases

The following is a selection of some basic greetings and words.

Hello

Oi, Olá

Bye, Goodbye

Tchau, Adeus

Thank you

Obrigado (men) / Obrigada (women)

Please

Por favor

You are welcome

Não há de quê

Excuse me

Desculpe-me

My name is…

Me chamo or Meu nome é

All is well

Tudo bem

I don’t speak…

Não falo…

Can you help me?

Pode me ajudar?

When greeting someone a simple “hello” is a given, followed by the phrase, “Tudo bem?”

For example, when seeing a friend you might say, “Oi Chris, tudo bem?” This phrase asks,

“All (tudo) is well (bem)?” It is often followed with the response “Tudo! E você?” This means,

“Yes, all. And you?”

Even conversations over the phone and other forms of communication follow this tradition.

Greetings are important and help to create a feeling of comfort and courtesy before

beginning any conversation or asking for something at work. Brazilians respect and

appreciate the time you take to have an initial conversation, and following this tradition

shows care and courtesy.

Food

Brazilian cuisine, like Brazil itself, varies greatly by region with the natural crops available in

each region adding its singularity. While Brazilian cooking has many similarities to its South

American neighbors, it is distinct. Stretching from the Amazon in the north, through the fertile

plantations of the central coast, and on to the southern pampas, the food of Brazil spans a

unique mix of cultures and cuisines.

Ingredients and Typical Dishes

The original population contributed popular ingredients like manioc, cassava and guaraná.