Practicing proper Brazilian business etiquette will benefit you greatly when looking to expand into new Brazilian markets. Becoming confident with the proper procedures involved in Brazilian business etiquette will allow you to gain new international partners and clients, all creating ample success for your business. Brazil is a vibrant and exciting country, with a fast growing pace and extreme cultural diversity. When you are ready to make a giant leap forward for your company, going global with Brazil could be your next big move. It is important to be fully aware of cultural demands when participating in business transactions abroad. Your Brazilian colleagues will be looking for a strong sense of companionship, as they value long term relationships and want a colleague who can socialize as well as contribute to shared business plans. Brazil is a huge country, growing faster than most people understand. Even so, it is vital that you research not only the city where you intend to cultivate relationships, but also that area’s dialect of Portuguese and any specific cultural nuances that may differentiate from other locations.

1. Foreign Staffing, Inc.

2.  Practicing proper Brazilian business
etiquette will benefit you greatly
when looking to expand into new
Brazilian markets.
 Becoming confident with the proper
procedures involved in Brazilian
business etiquette will allow you to
gain new international partners and
clients, all creating ample success
for your business.
 Brazil is a vibrant and exciting
country, with a fast growing pace
and extreme cultural diversity.
 When you are ready to make a
giant leap forward for your
company, going global with Brazil
could be your next big move.

3.  It is important to be fully aware of
cultural demands when participating
in business transactions abroad.
 Your Brazilian colleagues will be
looking for a strong sense of
companionship, as they value long
term relationships and want a
colleague who can socialize as well
as contribute to shared business plans.
 Brazil is a huge country, growing faster than most people understand.
 Even so, it is vital that you research not only the city where you intend to
cultivate relationships, but also that area’s dialect of Portuguese and any
specific cultural nuances that may differentiate from other locations.

4.  Allowing yourself to be
introduced as a proper
introduction will set the tone
for the meeting and allow
both parties to feel
acquainted.
 Remember Brazilians are not Hispanics, Central America is far
different from North America. And remember too that “ America”
includes North and South, so be specific when you refer to the
United States.

5.  Along with the cultural intensity of
this vibrant country, conversations
are often highly animated. Be
prepared for some socializing
before getting to business.
 Morning meetings, often scheduled for 10:00am – 12:00pm will
continue into lunch. Your reputation will gain a huge boost when you
host a good meal. And expect that any successful business
relationship depends on serious cultivation with long-term devotion
and nurturing being key.
 Avoid topics relating to politics, poverty, or religion. It is also important
to avoid discussions regarding Argentina as it remains a primary rival in
the world of soccer. Keep conversations festive and lively, holding to
topics such as soccer, family, children, etc.

6.  Exchange cards during the
introduction
 Introduce your colleagues in
English and Portuguese
 Include a Portuguese translation of your business card on its flipside

7.  Watch out for Carnevale, held
during the week before Lent that
begins on Ash Wednesday, while
most festivities occur on Fat
Tuesday.
 Because of Brazil’s vast territory,
there are various time zones.

8.  Brazilians are NOT Hispanics.
 Brazilians are vibrant and have a
contagious joie de vivre. Brazilians
place more value on the
maintenance of relationships
rather than keeping up with a
strict schedule. It is important that
you be punctual but expect to do
some waiting.
 Purple and black are mourning colors. Also, any gifts should wait until after
the formal meeting.
 Never use the “okay” hand sign, with the thumb curled to meet the first
finger. It is an inappropriate gesture in Brazil.

9.  As much of Brazil is tropical or sub-
tropical, keep cool by wearing
natural fibers. And because this
country is so big, it is very
important to check the weather
for your specific city as there can
be vast differences in the weather
in the north and the south.
 Brazilians celebrate the beauty in everything. Women should dress in a
conservative way for business meetings with nails always manicured. Men
should wear slacks and long sleeved shirts for casual attire, allowing dark
suits for formal and business events.