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Cultural Tips for Brazil
Thursday, December 5, 2002
- Portuguese is the dominant language in Brazil. Be aware that Brazilians do not perceive themselves as Hispanic and, in some cases, will take offense if addressed in Spanish.
- Brazilians tend to stand very close to each other.
- Brazilians usually greet each other with long handshakes and noticeable eye contact; close friends will often embrace.
- Hugging and backslapping are common among Brazilians, but sometimes some Brazilians will refrain from using these gestures with foreigners who may not be as receptive to this kind of contact.
- Women will often greet each other by touching cheek to cheek, then kissing the air.
- Women will often kiss each other by alternating cheeks -- twice if they are married and three times if they are single.
- Frequent touching of the arms, hands, or shoulders sometimes occur during the course of a conversation.
- Maintain a soft-spoken manner.
- Say "oi" for "hello" and "tchau" for goodbye.
- Brazilians often snap their fingers while flailing their hands up and down to add emphasis to a statement or indicate that something occurred "long ago."
- Pulling at one's earlobe is an old style of showing appreciation for food. You hardly see it used these days.
- Flicking the fingertips underneath the chin is another old gesture, not common these days, that indicates you don't know or understand the answer to a question.
- The "OK" sign (using your first finger and thumb to form a circle) is considered vulgar.
- When things are going well, it's acceptable to use the "thumbs up" sign.
- Yawning or stretching in public is frowned upon. Burping in public is also considered very bad.
- Although there are lots of smokers in Brazil, smoking is illegal in most public places.
- People never eat on public transportation. A hot dog can be eaten on the street, but nothing more than that!
- Don't push or shove people in lineups -- even if others are doing so.
- Be careful when crossing the street since traffic is chaotic and extremely fast!
- Machismo in Brazil takes a milder, more subtle form than in other Latin American countries. Moreover, it's important for men to appear self-assured and "in control" at all times.
- Brazilians are easy to approach and anybody will talk to you on the streets despite the language barrier.
- Brazilians usually admire international visitors.
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