Business Etiquette in Brazil – Tips and Information

Step 1:
Have a mutual acquaintance introduce you to the person you will be doing business with. This can be done by phone or you can carry a letter of introduction with you. These introductions are important to help Brazilians feel comfortable with you. They must feel at ease before proceeding with the business at hand.

Step 2:
Allow time to socialize when meeting with Brazilians in a professional setting. Doing business is a type of social interaction in Brazil. Brazilians will find it offensive if you are aggressive and jump straight to the business portion of the meeting. They will prefer to get to know you and feel comfortable before they consider doing business with you. This is also important when talking with a Brazilian on the phone. Take a few minutes to show interest in the life of the person you are chatting with before bringing up the reason for the phone call.

Step 3:
Allow for some degree of tardiness when scheduling meetings in Brazil. Appointments are not kept with the same rigidity as those in other parts of the world. Brazilians place a heavy emphasis on socialization and may lose track of time when taking part in a good conversation. Try not to get upset and do not perceive tardiness as a sign of disrespect.

Step 4:
Use formality when addressing a business colleague. "O senhor" will work for men and "a senhora" for women. You can also address a man with "Seu" followed by his first name. Use "Done" followed by the person's first name when addressing a woman. It is common for male bosses, executives and high ranking officials to be called "doutor." This is an honorary title and does not imply the person has a PhD. There is an exception to this formality. If you are addressing a person of about your same age and rank, first name use is acceptable.

Step 5:
Have coffee with your Brazilian colleagues. Coffee will most likely be offered to you in most businesses and government offices. Coffee is a mainstay of Brazil. Some offices even have a coffee bar with an espresso machine.

Step 6:
Dress fashionably when doing business in Brazil. The locals are fashion conscious and follow European styles. Women should wear a stylish business suit or a dress with a jacket. Men should invest in a good suit with a European design and cut. Add a well-made silk tie to complete the look. Do not wear a tie with a short-sleeved shirt. Jeans are fine for more casual events.

Step 7:
Shake hands with business acquaintances at the first meeting. After this, be prepared to get kissed on the cheeks by males and females if you are a woman and by females if you are a man.

Additional Tips:

• Brazilians usually conduct business from around 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. A 2-hour period from noon to 2 p.m. is reserved for lunch.
• Do not pull away from your Brazilian business associate if you feel he is standing too close or making you uncomfortable by touching your arm or back. Brazilians tend to touch frequently during conversation and stand closer than people in other parts of the world. They may take offense or view you as insincere if you pull away from this nonverbal dialogue.