Official language: Portuguese
Geographical location: South America
Customs: Brazil is composed of Europeans, Africans, Indians, Arabs and Orientals It is a country composed of many ethnic groups, but the core is Brazilians of Portuguese descent. In addition, since immigrants from southern European countries such as Spain and Italy account for an overwhelming majority in Brazil, Brazilian customs are very similar to those of Portugal and southern Europe. Brazil has a vast land and abundant resources, and the residents seem to behave leisurely and leisurely, but it has a rigorous side in terms of education. For example, movie screenings in cinemas are divided into three levels, and the age limit of the audience is stipulated according to the content. When going to the movies in Brazil, be sure to bring your passport with you for inspection. There is a rule in Brazil that before entering private land or residence, you must first obtain permission from the owner. If you are asked three times and still do not reply, the other party can raise a gun and shoot. Brazil is a vast country with endless scenery. When foreign business travelers come here, they see green pastures and want to take a look. They must act according to the rules and be careful. When people go out to drive, they give priority to pedestrians, because some pedestrians only care about their own convenience and do not take cars seriously. Therefore, you must not take it lightly when driving. Their customs are also quite interesting. For example, men like to draw a tiger on their chest to show their bravery. Or draw an arrow on your chest to show that you are the best archer. They also regard a rare "golden birch" as a symbol of happiness. In addition, the Indians in Brazil have an interesting custom. Bathing and eating are the most important things in their lives. If someone comes to their home as a guest, they invite the guest to jump into the river and take a bath together, again and again, sometimes more than ten times a day. It is said that this is the most respectful etiquette they show to their guests, and the more times they bathe, the more polite and respectful they are to their guests.
In Brazil, when acquaintances meet, men hug each other and pat each other on the back to show that the relationship is extraordinary. Women, or when a woman meets a familiar man, kiss on the cheek to show that the relationship is special. affectionate. But this kind of kiss is not a kiss on the lips, but a kiss on the cheeks of the two people, and a kissing sound is made from the mouth, but the mouth does not touch the face. Lovers can only kiss when they meet. Sometimes this kind of cheek-to-cheek ceremony seems very cumbersome. For example, when dozens of people gather together, the person who arrives later has to cheek-to-cheek with everyone present in turn. Even if those who arrive first are already seated around the table and eating, they must stand up and go out to do this face-to-face salute with those who arrive later. In some social situations, high-status ladies often extend their hands to be kissed. Kissing the hand instead of shaking hands shows respect for women. Of course, there is also a handshake etiquette in Brazil, which usually occurs when meeting for the first time or between people who are not very familiar with each other. People with higher status, elders, masters or women should generally extend their hands first when meeting others. People with lower status, young people, guests, etc. should not reach out first, otherwise they will be considered disrespectful. Brazilians pay great attention to their appearance, speech and behavior when meeting others. However, Brazilians are often not very punctual when meeting others. When they agree to meet at a certain time, they often have to postpone it for a few minutes. Lack of punctuality is probably a common problem in Latin American countries. Brazilians like to dine in restaurants with their families or friends on weekends or holidays. The average working-class person eats two or three meals in a restaurant a month, often spending a large part of his salary.
"Ash Wednesday" is the last day of Carnival, Brazil's most famous carnival. In fact, business activity in Brazil almost completely stops for a week before and after this date, and travel should be avoided during this period. The local "summer vacation" is from December to February of the following year, and it is recommended to visit during other times. Brazil’s public holidays: January 1st, April 21st, May 1st, September 7th, November 15th, December 25th. In addition, although January 6, February 17-18, June 24 and 29 are not public holidays, there is insufficient labor. Brazil has a seasonal period from September to February of the following year, and about 90% of the annual rainfall is concentrated in the seasonal period.
Business customs and social etiquette of Brazilian businessmen:
In terms of national character, Brazilians have two main characteristics in how they treat others. On the one hand, Brazilians like to be direct and say what they have to say. On the other hand, most Brazilians are lively, humorous, and love to joke around in interpersonal interactions. Currently, Brazilians usually hug or kiss as greeting etiquette in social situations. Only at very formal events did they shake hands with each other. In addition, Brazilians also have some unique greeting gifts. One is the fist-clenching ceremony. Second, the face-to-face gift. Third, the bathing ceremony. Always remember to be warm and friendly in your words and deeds. Regardless of whether you visit a government agency or a private institution, you must make an appointment in advance.
In formal occasions, Brazilians dress very elegantly. They not only pay attention to dressing neatly, but also advocate that people should dress differently in different occasions. In important government affairs and business activities, Brazilians believe that suits or suits must be worn. In general public occasions, men should wear at least short shirts and long trousers, while women should wear long skirts with high ties and sleeves. When visiting for business, it is advisable to wear a conservative style dark suit. Always remember to be warm and friendly in your words and deeds. Regardless of whether you visit a government agency or a private institution, you must make an appointment in advance. St. Paul's commercial grain attaches great importance to punctuality and should not be careless.
Brasilia is the new modern capital, but the commercial center is still the city of S?o Paulo. S?o Paulo is located in the large cliffs of the Mar Mountains in the southeastern part of the Brazilian Plateau. It has a population of more than 8.63 million. It is the largest city in Brazil and the capital of S?o Paulo. It is 63 kilometers southeast from the outer port of Santos. It is now Brazil's largest industrial center, accounting for about half of the country's industrial production. Trade in coffee, frozen meat, sugar, cotton and other industries is booming. Brazil ranks fourth in the world in arms exports.
In Brazil, the color is brown, purple represents sadness and yellow represents despair. They believe that death is like a yellow leaf falling, so they taboo against brown color. People have a superstitious belief that purple will bring sadness to people. In addition, dark brown color is also believed to bring misfortune. So, I really hate this color. In Brazil, there has been an example of such a failure. The clocks exported from Japan to Brazil were not popular because they were equipped with purple ribbons on the clock boxes. Purple was considered an unlucky color. In Brazil, it is more convenient and friendly to speak and write in the local language. Business cards should have common local characters, and product descriptions should be in local characters.
Brazilians are not shy about showing affection. People also hug each other warmly when they meet on the street. Both men and women shake hands when meeting and parting. When the women meet, they touch each other cheek to cheek and make kissing sounds with their mouths, but their mouths do not touch their faces.
When conducting business negotiations with Brazilian businessmen, be sure to attend appointments on time. If the other party is late, even if it is 1-2 hours, we should understand. Like most Latin Americans, Brazilians have a relaxed attitude toward time and work. When dealing with Brazilians, don't talk about work first when the host doesn't mention work. When talking, be affectionate and close, but don't make mistakes. No matter how hot the weather is there, it is appropriate to wear dark clothing. Brazilians particularly love children and can praise their children during conversations. Brazilian men love to laugh, but guests shy away from jokes involving local ethnic groups. It is best to keep silent about local political issues.
On the second day after being a guest in a Brazilian home, you should ask someone to send the hostess a bouquet of flowers or a note of thanks. Never send purple flowers as purple is a symbol of death.
Brazilian businessmen like to delay payment
Brazilian importers like payment methods other than L/C. When paying Chinese exporters, old customers are prone to delay. However, for new customers, if payment is made by methods other than L/C, part of the deposit must be collected in advance.
When meeting Brazilians, it is best to make an appointment in advance. When meeting, shake hands and give each other business cards. Generally, business cards are best printed simply but must be of good quality and beautifully painted. The best times for meetings are between 10 am and 12 pm or between 3 pm and 5 pm. It's best to work more efficiently. Businessmen in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo pay great attention to efficiency and punctuality, but when attending a banquet, it is best to arrive 10 to 15 minutes later than the agreed time. It is best to arrange a meeting in the office and never in a restaurant or bar. During meetings, coffee is always available. It's very sweet and strong, so you'd better accept it. If it is your first meeting, it is best to dress conservatively, and men are best to wear a black suit; if it is the leader of the company, it is best to wear a three-piece suit. Women should also wear formal suits and keep their nails trimmed. When meeting a group of people, shake hands with everyone when entering and when leaving. It's best not to use simple terms like "hello" or "goodbye." To greet a man, use his last name plus Mr. (senhor in Portuguese), and to greet a woman, use her last name plus ma'am (senhora in Portuguese). It's best to call them by their name after they call you by their name. If your partner writes to you, it is best to reply in the same language he/she wrote in. Have all your materials translated into Portuguese and give them to him/her, preferably not in Spanish. Make multiple copies of your information for distribution. The pace of life in Brazil is very fast, but don’t rush to change the conversation to business topics. It’s better to spend a few minutes talking about family, health, weather, sports and other topics. Maintain a friendly and welcoming attitude, but don't be overly enthusiastic. Be patient, everyone has a problem with the efficiency of the bureaucracy, but Brazilians are very adaptable to this approach. Talk to people who are close to you and don't turn your back to anyone else, or you'll appear distant.
Brazilian business people are willing to maintain business relationships as trust and long-term relationships develop. Keep in mind that Brazilians may lose trust in foreigners who want to buy shares in a company. Personal relationships are important. If possible, bring a business card of someone you both know when you first meet. You can also find a middleman who can help you deal with it for a fee. From translation to miscellaneous things like registration. Its impact is immeasurable. When meeting for the first time, it is best to give some small gifts. But you must pay attention to the way you give gifts.
First of all, women should avoid giving gifts to their male partners, otherwise it will easily cause misunderstandings; secondly, after both parties have established a good personal relationship, they should not give business-related gifts; gifts for children are the most popular. Appreciation and welcome; gifts are best given after business meetings, when the atmosphere is relaxed. It is best to give gifts when eating; if you ask your Brazilian friends before returning to your country if you want to bring them some specialties from your hometown, they will be very welcome; finally, do not particularly appreciate anything in your partner’s home, otherwise They will insist on giving it to you and you must accept it.
Brazilian food culture:
In terms of food, Brazil is a place where immigrants from Europe, Asia and Africa gather; its food habits are deeply influenced by Portugal, Africa, Italy, Japan and Turkey. Brazilians have the same influence, so habits vary from place to place and are very local. In southern Brazil, the land is fertile and there are many pastures, so barbecue has become the most commonly used local dish. In the northeast, the staple food of people is cassava flour and black beans. In other areas, The staple food is noodles, rice and beans. Brazilians usually eat European and Western food. Because of the developed animal husbandry, meat accounts for a large proportion of the food Brazilians eat. Among the staple foods of Brazilians, black beans, a specialty of Brazil, occupy a place. Brazilians like to drink coffee, black tea and wine. In terms of diet, they mainly eat European and Western food, but some people also like to eat Chinese food. Brazilians are open-minded and open-minded, warm and polite to others. In terms of diet, Brazilians are characterized by taking rice as their staple food. They like to sprinkle potato flour similar to potato flour on fried rice, and eat it with beans similar to cauliflower beans. In the past, Brazilians did not like edible vegetables. Since immigrants planted a large number of high-quality vegetables, Brazilians’ tables have become richer. Eating fish is not yet completely popular among Brazilians, and is usually only eaten on Fridays and Easter. However, they all like to eat shrimp, but the price is very expensive. For a happy weekend meal, Brazilians like to grill large chunks of meat over the fire. Note that Brazilian dinner starts at 8 or 9 o'clock in the morning and at 12 midnight in the evening. Drinking water is not safe. Only boiled water or bottled drinks are allowed.
Brazil’s famous dishes are: Bean stew is a popular dish, which is cooked with beans. Barbecued meat is a national dish. In every place in Brazil, barbecued meat is a Brazilian-style dish. Mutton stew in pits can be regarded as a sudden rise. Its unique cooking method and rural flavor are popular all over the country. Some people also call it passion stew. Meat.
There are also spicy grilled fish, sweet and sour grilled eel, grilled eggplant, grilled pepper, etc., which are new varieties popular in Brazil, as well as grilled pineapple, grilled apple, grilled corn, grilled shiitake mushroom, grilled Cantaloupe and other grilled vegetarian series have different flavors, but each one is particularly loved by girls.
Brazilians cannot do without wine in their social activities. When the weather is hot, order a glass of cold beer to relieve your pain. Brazil, known as the "Kingdom of Coffee", is one of the largest coffee consumers in the world and one of the three largest coffee producing areas in the world. Coffee is the favorite drink of most people, and drinking coffee has become a habit of local people. There is also yerba mate, and the best non-alcoholic beverage is fresh fruit juice. Brazilian life is closely related to coffee. It is common to drink dozens of cups of coffee in a day. When Brazilians meet guests, they treat them to strong coffee and drink it cup by cup from very small cups.
The tableware used for dining in Brazilian restaurants includes knives, forks, spoons, plates, cups, saucers, etc. The tableware is placed in front of the guests who are about to eat, the fork is placed on the left side of the dinner plate, the knife is placed on the right side of the dinner plate, and the spoon is placed on the right side of the knife. The number of knives and forks should be the same as the number of dishes. Use the knife and fork from the outside to the inside. You don't need a knife and fork to eat bread, just break it with your hands. After each course, the waiter removes the used plates, knives and forks and replaces them with new ones for the next course. When eating, hold the knife in your right hand and the fork in your left hand. Use a knife to cut the meat on the plate into small pieces, and then put the food into your mouth with a fork. Brazilians also like to drink, but they generally don’t encourage or force people to drink, which is different from our country’s habits. After the meal, the waiter brings desserts, fruits, coffee or tea. Cups containing coffee and tea are placed on small plates, and are picked up with the small plates after drinking. There is also a small spoon on the small plate, which is used to stir coffee and tea. When drinking, you should not use the small spoon to drink spoon by spoon. Instead, you should place the small spoon next to the plate, hold the plate with your left hand, and hold the plate with your right hand. Take a cup and drink. When Brazilians entertain ordinary friends, they usually go to restaurants and do not easily invite guests to dine at home. Only acquaintances or close friends are given special treatment and are eligible to be invited into the home. This is also the highest courtesy given to guests. When guests are invited to attend a family dinner, they must bring some gifts to the host, such as flowers, toys, books, etc. At Brazilian family banquets, a lot of wine is prepared, usually red and white wine and wine. Most cold dishes are salads, and the main course is barbecue. After meals, sweets, fruits, coffee, tea, ice cream, etc. are provided. During the banquet, the host generally does not persuade the guests to drink, and the guests can drink whatever they like.
Main restaurants: The main Chinese restaurants in Brasilia are: China; New China (said this one is the best); Fon Min; Fon Pin; Fon Shian; Pequim; Ran Gon, etc.
The famous national dish: roast beef---roast beef is a national dish served by the upper-class banquet guests in Brazil, and it is also the most popular dish among the people. There is no seasoning on the roast beef, just sprinkle some salt on the surface of the beef. So as not to lose the original flavor; once the charcoal fire is grilled, the oil on the surface will seep out, the outside will be browned, and the inside will be fresh and tender, giving it a unique fragrance.
Brazilian wedding customs
The first male to marry , it’s time for a girl to get married. The average marriage age for Brazilians is: 24-26 years old for men and 19-20 years old for women. Marriages were mostly unions between different families of the same class. There are two types of legal marriage: one is registered with the government and the other is registered in the church.
However, some middle-class and upper-class people have to go to the government to register their property in order to have legal compliance, and out of religious belief, they have to go to the church to register, thus holding two weddings. In some remote villages, people who want to live together because it is temporarily impossible to register their marriage must obtain the consent of both parents. When the relevant clergy inspect, these married couples will be registered and a mass wedding will be held.
According to the traditional Brazilian wedding customs, when a man and a woman get married, the man does not need a betrothal gift. He only needs to prepare a pair of rings and go to the church on time to hold the wedding. The woman has to bear all the expenses for the wedding. Such as wedding fees, church usage fees, new house decoration fees, etc. When a daughter from a wealthy family gets married, in addition to a generous dowry, she also needs a building and a residence. The more property the dowry brings, the more it shows the wealth of the woman's family and the noble status of her daughter.
After a man and a woman get married, the wife generally does not live with her husband in her husband's house, but mostly lives with her parents. Some sons-in-law even move to their mother-in-law's house. But the son-in-law has to bear the living expenses. In relatively poor and backward villages, marriage is not so particular. Usually the woman marries the man. Betrothal gifts and dowries are very simple. Weddings are also very simple. Most of them just ask for some sugar cane wine.
Brazilians attach great importance to a girl’s virginity. Therefore, parents are stricter in the discipline of young girls. Once their daughters mature, they will be sent to a convent first. Although there are more women than men in Brazil, there is no preference for boys over girls. On the contrary, women are treated with the utmost respect. Women have certain legal protections. Once a couple divorces, most men are required to pay each other's living expenses and education expenses for minor children on time. At the same time, the woman has the right to ask the wealthy man for an equal share of property. In court, women are often the victors.
Like other Latin American countries, young men and women in Brazil have full freedom to choose their spouses. With the development of society, Brazilian people's views on love and marriage have undergone great changes. They no longer attach much importance to the formal "combination", but to the emotional consistency of both parties. "If things go well, we will unite; if things go wrong, we will break up" is the common creed shared by the vast majority of young Brazilian men and women today. They would rather fall in love for a long time than get married hastily. The proportion of people living together without completing the marriage formalities is constantly increasing. Many people who have lived together for many years have announced their breakup. Therefore, the number of children born out of wedlock is also increasing, bringing a lot of trouble to families and society. Many young women live a very difficult life with children born out of wedlock. Of course, there are also many couples who go through the marriage formalities and become legally married after living together for several years.
Many Brazilians still have a strong sense of family status, and there are many cases where two families marrying into the same class belong to the same class, in order to strengthen the strength of their respective families. Brazilians attach great importance to the innocence of girls, which is very different from the sexual openness in Western countries. Girls were strictly controlled at home and were married off as soon as they reached adulthood. Some girls were sent to convents to avoid deviant behavior. Young men and women must attend two weeks of pre-marital education before getting married. The main contents of education include behavioral norms after marriage, principles of dealing with others, marital ethics and sexual hygiene. Those who pass the examination after studying can get a certificate of qualification, and only with the certificate can they register for marriage. If a person marries without a certificate, his or her children will not be recognized by the law and may have problems attending school and inheriting inheritance.
According to traditional customs, the woman is mostly responsible for all wedding expenses and various wedding matters. Some wealthy women's families, in addition to preparing a generous dowry, also provide them with a new house. The groom is leisurely and contented. He only needs to prepare a pair of rings and go to the church to attend the wedding. After the woman marries the man's family, she often takes her parents to live with her and is responsible for their support. Some men become intrusive sons-in-law and live in the woman's house after marriage. In poor and remote areas, the man only needs to use sugarcane wine as a bride price, and the wedding is very simple.
The vast majority of people in Brazil believe in Catholicism. The church looked down upon divorced people and did not allow divorced people to participate in the sacraments, so divorces were rare. If both parties insist on divorce, they will have to wait for the court decision to take effect three years later, and Brazilians can only get divorced once in their lifetime, and a second divorce is not allowed.
Many Brazilians have a strong sense of family, and in rural and remote areas it is common for upper and lower generations to live together.
Brazilian etiquette taboos:
Brazilian customs and habits are similar to those in Europe. Brazilians are sometimes more formal and sometimes very easy-going. When meeting for the first time, people shake hands as a courtesy, but relatives and friends are also used to hugging and kissing each other when greeting each other. Not only that, you can also give hugs and kisses to complete strangers. The "social" kiss on the cheek is a kiss on both cheeks. Men and women greet each other with a kiss on the cheek, and women are also accustomed to doing this. However, in most social circles, black people do not like this, and are accustomed to shaking hands and patting each other on the shoulder with their left hand. Men who are relatively close to each other are accustomed to hugging each other and slapping each other hard on the back. However, due to social status, there are subtle differences in who should kiss whom.
Interpersonal relationships are very important in Brazil. When invited to a formal banquet or business event, it is best to wear a conservative black suit. Brazilians like to shake hands with everyone, and exchange business cards with the last name usually Write it at the end. Any appointment must be agreed in advance; businessmen in Sao Paulo attach great importance to punctuality; the dinner time is usually between 20:00-24:00. The four-day carnival held in February-March every year is extremely luxurious. The grand costume parade, lively Samba dance and music attract a large number of tourists every year. Children like to put their shoes on the roof and wait for Santa Claus to give them gifts.
Brazilian traditional customs
The Brazilian nation is industrious, serious, conscientious, confident, full of pride and optimism. People's moral values ??are increasing day by day, and they are more concerned about anarchy, laziness, sneakiness and other bad habits. Behavior is frowned upon, and everyone hopes to abide by discipline and establish an orderly society. For most Brazilians, family is still the best and most precious thing in life. However, with the improvement of people's independence and the status of women, family is no longer the relationship bond in the past sense. Women move into society and become more independent. In the past, people lived on interest and took pride in getting a well-paid sinecure in a relative's company or any other department. Middle-class housewives also thought it was best not to work outside the home. But now, sociologist Maria said: "Work has become a moral issue. Not working will be considered a scandal." Nowadays, people praise relying on their own diligence and hard work to get rich, and the Catholic Church, which praises poverty, is constantly losing believers. The hard-working and kind-hearted Brazilians know that life is not easy, but they are full of confidence and optimism about the future. They believe that Brazil will become a world power and a powerful country in the near future.
When dealing with Brazilians, suitable topics to talk about: football, jokes, interesting articles, etc. It is not advisable to give him a handkerchief or a knife. The "OK" gesture used by the British and Americans is considered very obscene in Brazil.
The general characteristics of Brazilian social customs can be summarized in the following sentences:
Brazilian friends are very simple, cheerful and talkative; kind-hearted and straightforward, humorous and not rude; Frank, bold and lively, he is born to be good at singing and dancing; he is addicted to football, and everyone loves and pays attention to him; he is friendly and sincere to others, and his enthusiasm and politeness are recognized by the world.
The details of life have the following characteristics:
Brazilian men generally like to joke and are used to chatting with others. They think this can better show mutual closeness and friendliness. In Brazil, everyone, regardless of age or gender, loves football. I'm afraid people who don't know who government officials are are everywhere, and it's extremely difficult to find people who don't know who their country's famous football stars are. When they receive gifts from others, they always open the gift package in front of the giver and then express their gratitude. If they bought a gift somewhere, first cut off a little of the original wrapping paper. Because they believe that wrapping paper is for luck and should not take away other people's good luck.
A strange etiquette is popular in the Indian areas of Brazil. The first thing a guest does when they come to visit is to ask them to take a bath. The longer the guest takes to take a bath, the more respect they show for the host. If the host has something urgent to discuss, the host will ask the guest to bathe with him and talk while bathing. Their ritual of welcoming guests from civilized society is peculiar. First the same wizard blew into the guests' faces, which they thought would drive away diseases brought by civilized people; then the men of the tribe gave tearful speeches, believing that tears were a welcome to the peace messenger; and finally the women used their saliva to The leaves are mixed with paint and the guests' cheeks are painted red or black to express their friendly affection. The Indians in the equatorial forests of Brazil have a unique custom of not telling strangers their names. They think that speaking out their names will cause them harm.
Brazilians value autographs. Regardless of whether you are writing a letter, a note, etc., you must sign your name solemnly to show respect and courtesy. They especially love children. They especially like others to brag about their children during conversations. They also cherish orchids very much and regard them as their national flower. They believe that the orchid supply is a symbol of all the precious virtues of the nation. They regard the large and beautiful flower shape as a symbol of foresight, the solid petals as a symbol of perseverance, and the varied colors as a symbol of perseverance and perseverance despite difficulties. They prefer "butterflies". It is believed that butterflies have beautiful images and are auspicious things.
Women in the Nagensti region of Brazil often wear hats to express their emotions. If they wear their hats to the right, it means they are married; to the left, they mean they are unmarried; if they put their hats on their foreheads, it means they have encountered something unfortunate and are depressed. The Chenis people in northwest Brazil have a custom of "female surname comes first". There, a man must be absolutely obedient to his wife and must not disobey her.