Habits Common in Brazil That You May Find Odd

Every culture on earth has its own set of norms, habits and cultural differences. Brazil is no different and we expats simply have to accept those differences. We should expect that we're going to see a lot of things done here that we find strange. More importantly, we're probably going to do a lot of things that Brazilians find stranger still, and perhaps even a bit irritating or offensive.

1.  There is no such thing as "finger food" for Brazilians - sandwiches, snacks and that morning "pão na chapa" are never picked up in the fingers of a Brazilian to be eaten. They use a paper napkin to eat such things. Foods like chicken wings, drumsticks and even pizza are eaten with a knife and fork. Hamburgers, especially large hamburgers are often cut up and eaten with a knife and fork, while it is also acceptable to pick them up with a napkin.

2.  Drinking coffee - For Brazilians large mugs of coffee like we expats do is something they find strange. First of all Brazilian generally prefer a much stronger coffee or expresso. The "cafezinho" is served in a tiny cup similar to a demitasse cup, always black or black with sugar and they'll drink it at any hour of the day or night. It is commonly offered following dinner in most restaurants. The typical "café com leite" (coffee with milk and sugar) that you'll find served in the morning at most bakeries is served in a 4 oz. glass. It is a mixture of dripped coffee and hot milk.

3.  Most Brazilians, despite the fact that dermatologists say it may be very harmful to the skin, take 3 or more showers per day; wereas most of us expats take only one per day. It's common for Brazilians to shower when they rise in the morning. If they are able to have lunch at home they'll shower then too, and at night before retiring.

4.  Brushing their teeth at work - Yes, I've been in large companies all over this country and without exception their employees brush their teeth at work after they've eaten lunch, dinner or any snack.

5.  Hand washing - Brazilians are obsessive about washing their hands. Before they eat, after they eat, after any messy jobs, before and after their bathroom needs. Many workplaces probably still have the alcohol gel dispensers that were extremely common when I arrived here years ago. People would rush off and squirt the gel on their hands and rub it in before shaking hands.

6.  Punctuality - while Brazilians are generally quite punctual in the workplace and with their business activities that for some strange reason does not carry over into the personal lives of most of them. For example if you arrange a party or a dinner engagement and set a specific time, you may find that most Brazilians will arrive an hour and sometimes even more late.

7.  Hugs and kissing on the cheeks - Not so common in the workplace, but socially Brazilians are very kissy-huggy people. Men routinely hug and while doing so pat each other on the back with both hands.  Women hug and do the traditional "air kisses" when greeting other women. Men will hug and kiss the cheeks of women when meeting. Traditionally once on each cheek. This may be a bit disconcerting for those from cultures where such intimacy and personal contact are not common.

8.  First names / Last names -  Hard to figure out when to use which. Socially, I've noticed that it is almost always the first name that gets used for everyone from friends, to celebs to the President of the Republic. In the workplace it is more often only the last name. Doesn't matter who it is either, it may be an office clerk or it may be the CEO.

9.  Sitting BESIDE one's partner in a restaurant - Most of us are much more accustomed to sitting across the table from our spouses or dates in an intimate dinner setting at restaurants. Brazilians as a rule sit beside each other in such situations.

10.  Toss or Flush - Sorry for this rather delicate issue, but here in Brazil one DOES NOT flush toliet paper. It should be disposed of in the wastebasket beside the toilet. There are few cities anywhere in Brazil that have anything beyond primary sewage treatment if they even have that. The sewer systems here are old, not well maintained and wholly incapable of handling toilet paper and the resulting problems that it causes for the systems. Also, in many small towns without any kind of treatment the paper will be going straight into the rivers. Remember if you're in the habit of flushing, one day everything that you've sent down that drain is going to come back and visit you again. Trust me you don't need that kind of experience.

Cheers,
James
expat.com Experts Team