1. Haas Andrei Sergiu
MIG, I

2. Table of contents
 Facts and statistics
 Brazilian society & culture
 Brazilian business structure
 Greetings in Brazil
 Brazilian meetings
 Business cards
 Brazilian communication styles
 Brazilian dress code
 Brazilian gifts
 Successful entertaining in Brazil

3. Facts and Statistics
 Location: Eastern South America
 Capital: Brazilia
 Climate: mostly tropical, but temperate in south
 Population: 184,101,109
 Ethnic Make-up: white (includes
Portuguese, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish)
55%, mixed white and black 38%, black 6%, other
(includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 1%

4. Facts and Statistics
 Religions: Roman Catholic (nominal) 80%
 Government: federative republic
 Language: Portuguese

5. Brazilian Society & Culture
 Brazilian Diversity
 Brazil is a mixture of races and ethnicities, resulting in
rich diversity.

6. Brazilian Society & Culture II
 Brazilian Family Values
 The family is the foundation of the social structure and
forms the basis of stability for most people.
 Families tend to be large and the extended family is
quite close.
 Nepotism is considered a positive thing.

7. Brazilian Business Structures
 Brazilian companies tend to be organised along strictly
hierarchical lines with information flowing up and
down the various chains of command.
 All key decisions will be made at the most senior
levels.
 therefore International negotiators are advised not to
try to get a decision out of somebody who does not
really have the requisite level of authority.

8. Greetings in Brazil
 Men shake hands when greeting one another, while
maintaining steady eye contact.
 Women generally kiss each other.
 Hugging and backslapping are common greetings
among Brazilian friends.
 If a woman wishes to shake hands with a man, she
should extend her hand first.

9. Brazilian Meetings
 Business appointments are required and can often be
scheduled on short notice; however, it is best to make
them 2 to 3 weeks in advance.
 Confirm the meeting in writing. It is not uncommon
for appointments to be cancelled or changed at the last
minute.
 Expect to be interrupted while you are speaking or
making a presentation.
 Avoid confrontations. Do not appear frustrated with
your Brazilian colleagues.

10. Brazilian Meetings II
 Although first meetings can be more formal, they are
generally quite informal and relaxed. There is likely to
be a great deal of small talk before the meeting proper
starts.
 Brazilians have a Latin temperament and will often
appear extremely emotional during meetings.
 Meetings often start and finish late. It can be difficult
to schedule more than one or two meetings per day.
 Don’t be in too much of a hurry to rush off at the end
of a meeting. Take the time to seem relaxed and easy-
going as these are qualities much admired in Brazil.

11. Business Cards
 Business cards are exchanged during introductions
with everyone at a meeting.
 It is advisable, although not required, to have the other
side of your business card translated into Portuguese.
Present your business card with the Portuguese side
facing the recipient

12. Brazilian Communication Styles
 When dealing with people outside the major cities, you
may need to check if translation to Brazilian Portuguese is
necessary.
 Great emphasis is placed on the value of verbal
communication. The things that people say are often given
greater weight than anything in a written format.
 Don't simply rely on emails to give information. Follow
things up with a phone call or a meeting to discuss the
matter.
 Brazilians use a great deal of body language, stand at
relatively close proximity and have strong levels of eye
contact.

13. Brazilian Dress Code
 Appearance is extremely important in Brazil and it is
vital that you look your smartest.
 Men are best advised to wear conservative dark suits.
 Women tend to be less conservative in their dress
sense at the office. They „dress to impress” and are
more flamboyant than in many other countries.

14. Brazilian Gifts
 If invited to a Brazilian's house, bring the hostess
flowers or a small gift.
 Avoid giving anything purple or black as these are
mourning colours.
 Gifts are opened when received.

15. Successful Entertaining in Brazil
 Business entertaining forms an integral part of business life in Brazil
and business meals can be lengthy affairs. Do not be surprised to spend
two hours over lunch and three hours or more over dinner.
 Business meals are really about getting to know each other as people so
don’t be tempted to try to use the meal as an extension of a meeting.
Keep the conversation at the social level.
 Brazilians tend to use their knife to cut up the food and then place it
against the plate whilst continuing to eat using only the fork.
 Although most social events will start much later than the official start
time, it is good idea to arrive at any business functions on time
 Most restaurants will automatically add a 10% service charge on to the
bill, but it is still a good idea to leave a further tip of between
5 — 10%.

16. Conclusion
 Mixture of races and ethnicities
 Family is very important
 Companies tend to be organised along strictly
hierarchical lines
 Relationships come first, second and third in Brazil
 Informal meetings
 A lot of small talk
 Great emphasis is placed on the value of verbal
communication

17. Conclusion II
 Great emphasis is placed on the value of verbal
communication
 Use of emotion in communication
 Body language, relatively close proximity and strong
levels of eye contact
 Appearance is very important for both men and
women

18. Thank you for your
attention