Don't be fooled by Brazilian Punctuality!

Yes, my assessment would be that many Brazilians, particularly people who work on the house are unreliable in regards to appointments made.  We also have had people show up hours early (I was in the neighborhood) or hours late with or without excuses.  Initially it would drive me crazy but now I just live my life.  I am home at the appointment time and if they come earlier or later I might not be home.  Fortunately our landlord is very respectful of our time so if he arranges the appointments he tells the company persons to come on time.  (He probably tells them that his house is being rented by some neurotic gringo's).

@roddiesho

I second Roddie Sho on this one. 

You have to factor, once they emigrate, they tend to adapt to the law of the land.  In Rome you do as Romans do. 

I did, so others.  And I was punctual on my commitments prior to legally migrating to the US. So did others here.

Also, bear in mind, we, in America ( speaking as a Citizen ), got the cream of the crop through the gates. Most of our labor that came in through immigration , were originally from places like Minas Gerais, Santa Catarina, Espirito Santo ( I should note that Baianos, as a rule, are just as reliable, but work at their own pace ).   That is how immigration works. Once one leaves, so the entire village behind him or her.

  These folks already had an exceptional work ethic. The old say is, "Mineiro Trabalha em Silencio".  Meaning,. Mineiros get the work done quietly, and without fanfare. And others who follow, tend to track to their predecessor footsteps.  Others do just fine,, you have to make some adjustments to their ways to follow your expectations.

Not to say others are less deserving, as far as work ethic, and showing up on time is concerned.  It is a stereotypical optic way of seeing it.  But it helps you in sorting the wheat from the chafe. 

It should go, without saying, that asking "De once voce vem" is not that much offensive,, as some of them might feel..  It becomes an ice breaker,, and a way to sort what kind of hire or help you are getting.

I had it good on this, while hiring labor in Brazil, prior to my migration. We often relied, with good result,  on Nordestinos for our building  labor needs, but we scored even better often, when we had a Mineiro working under us.  They are clean, neat, work quietly, no fuss, punctual, no grievances.

The only disadvantage about Mineiros, is that most of them are gone to America. They no longer will work under Brazilian labor rates.

As a Sao Paulo Real Estate Broker, I deal with these issues all too often. Clients showing up late, blaming traffic ( and their lack of pre-planning, truth to be told ), family issues ( which makes you feel a lesser of a person ).  I seldom ever have this issue with Americans ( always punctual ). 

My take away from this.....This is a reason why I won't take up giving Private  English Lessons.