BUSINESS CULTURE

AND ETIQUETTE
IN BRAZIL
1. Greetings
2. Names and Titles
3. Business Meetings
4. Conversation Topics
5. Negotiation
6. Business Entertaining
7. Gift giving
8. Practical Advice
BUSINESS ETIQUETTE IN BRAZIL
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
GREETINGS
Greetings can be efusive, with extended handshakes
common during the rst encounter, progressing to
embraces once a friendship has been established.
Women often kiss each other on alternating cheeks.
Depending upon your location in Brazil, they may kiss
you twice if you are married, three times if single.
It is polite to shake hands with everyone present in a
group, both upon arrival an upon departure.
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
When applicable, titles such as Doctor, Professor, and
so forth are used to address acquaintances. Or the term
Senhor (Mr.) or Senhora (Mrs.) is used to precede the
surname. Be aware that people may sometimes introduce
themselves using their titles and their rs names (e.g.
Doctor John).
Unlike Spanish-speaking countries, the order of names in
Portuguese in rst name, middle name, last name (from
ones father).
NAMES AND TITLES
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
In initial interviews Brazilians do not give many details and
may even give confusing information; they expect the other
party to do the same until some degree of trust has been
achieved. The negotiation process is slow.
You should not behave arrogantly or with an air of
superiority, as Brazilians take ofence to such attitudes.
In meetings they usually serve a cofee (cafezinho) at any
time of the day. You should drink it out of politeness. As it is
the national drink, in many restaurants it is served free.
BUSINESS MEETINGS
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
In conversation sensitive topics such as politics, religion,
poverty or deforestation in the country must be avoided. It is
preferable not to make comparisons with Argentina. Anyway
Brazilians are very open and its hard to be ofended.
Favourable topics are football - the national team known as
the canarinha (by the yellow color of your shirt reminiscent of
the Canaries) is the most decorated in the world - the music
(samba and bossa nova) and family (especially children).
Brazilians consider themselves American. To refer to them you should
not use the terms Latin, South American and less Hispanic.
CONVERSATION TOPICS
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
In initial interviews Brazilians do not give many details and
may even give confusing information; they expect the other
party to do the same until some degree of trust has been
achieved. The negotiation process is slow.
Brazilians are not very keen on haggling either. Concessions
are generally made at the end of the negotiation.
Agreements are negotiated generally, rather than point by
point or in order.
NEGOTIATION
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
Lunches are a way of continuing a business conversation in a
less formal atmosphere. Dinners are exclusively social.
If you take a customer or Brazilian partner out for a meal,
you should choose a prestigious restaurant. Do not make a
reservation at the hotel where you are staying.
Do not expect to discuss business during a meal. You should
participate in the conversation but not try to direct it too much.
Wait until cofee is served to broad a work-related topic.
BUSINESS ENTERTAINING
Business Culture & Etiquette Guides
Giving a gift is not required at the rst meeting. Gifts
should be given at the end of the negotiation.
Wait until after the formal meeting is over to present a
gift. A relaxed social situation is the best time.
GIFT GIVING
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To obtain the Brazil Business Culture Guide with more than
100 tips about etiquette and protocol, verbal and non-verbal
communication, negotiation strategies, etc., clic on:
Brazil Business Culture and Etiquette Guide
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PRACTICAL ADVICE
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