Do and don't in Brazil

It's hard to adapt to any different culture - but a lot depends on where you are in Brazil. Rio and Sao Paulo are more cosmopolitan, it's easier to find other expats.
But anyway, the hardest thing to get used to is probably the social gap. Your maid, office assistant, cab driver, porter and other service providers are likely to make a lot less than you, and even lack the opportunity of ever getting close to you salary. That means there is a lingering discontent that often shows.

Hi, I use to live in Brasil many years ago in Leblon. I loved it there. I see that after all these years I want to come back and perhaps live there. I am currently liveing in Mass in the U.S. and also in Lima Peru. Where can I go and find information about renting an apt in Rio for 3 months. I want to take it slow. How about American communities? Are there many in Rio? Where would I go and find them. Do they get together often? Kati1

Hello,

While my list of do's & don'ts is not accurate for all parts of Brazil, or applicable for all Brazilians, here is a short list:

*Do not chew gum in the workplace: My Brazilian colleagues tell me this is very distasteful, and I have not seen this while working in Brazil.

*Eat most food with a fork & knife: While not everyone does this, if you are in a more formal setting, or are with people that you recently met, you should eat most food with a fork & knife...even pizza!  And as a side note, don't be surprised if your Brazilian colleagues/friends put ketchup on their pizza!.

*Do not kiss everyone you meet: Despite what you hear about Brazilians air-kissing everyone, you do not have to do this everytime.  Most Brazilians are comfortable with this; however, in some parts of Brazil this is not done as much.  Also, in some parts of Brazil, it is acceptable to kiss your neighbor's husband the first time you meet him, but not every time.

*Try not to be so forward:  Compared to many Westerners, Brazilians are not very forward.  They want to maintain harmony at all times and do not want to offend, especially among people they just met.  If you don't like the meal that is cooked for you don't say so...or at least find a diplomatic way to say it.  This may be contradictory to the forward nature of Brazilians, and many Latin Americans, when they comment on physical appearance: "Ana, you've gained so much weight!"  This type of directness is common regarding physical appearance because Brazilians take great pride in how they look.

Again, the above are not true for all Brazilians and in all parts of Brazil.  When in doubt, just ask a local who you can trust.

To the TheCultureGuru those are right on point! Good job.

Regarding eating, what we consider "finger food" in North America should be held with a napkin instead of your bare hands. You will rarely see a Brazilian putting his hands on food he is consuming. Just part of the culture.

Also be very careful with hand gestures, they do not necessarily mean what you might think here in Brazil. For example the hand sign we most recognize as OK or I'm fine in North America and many English speaking countries, the tips of thumb and index finger touching and the remaining three pointed upward means something very obscene here and giving this gesture by mistake could get you into unexpected trouble. Never under any circumstances give anyone the middle finger especially a motorist, it could get you killed here.