Brazil


 * Brazil **
 * Population
 * 146 Million people concentrated on its two hundred miles of east coast
 * +90% of the population lives on 10% the land
 * 15+ Million live in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro [[image:brazil-map.gif width="238" height="300" align="right" caption="Map of Brazil"]]
 * 50% under 20 years of age
 * Ethnic composition
 * 55% European descent (primarily Portuguese)
 * 38% mixture of cultures (African, German, Japanese, Amerindian, etc.)
 * 6% African
 * 1% Amerindian
 * Government
 * Multiparty federal republic
 * President is chief of state and head of government
 * Two legislative houses: 81-member Senate and 503-member Chamber of Deputies
 * Official language
 * Portuguese
 * Population also speaks Spanish, Italian, and various Amerindian languages
 * No official religion
 * 90% Roman Catholic
 * 16% Afro-Brazilian religions (Spiritual Catholics)
 * 9% Evangelical Catholics [[image:http://www.stockphotopro.com/photo-thumbs-2/AF94J6.jpg width="216" height="124" align="right" caption="Brazilian currency"]]
 * –9% Protestants, Judaism, Buddhism, and other religions
 * Currency
 * Real (plural: Reais)
 * R$
 * since 1994
 * Values
 * Coins
 * 1 cent (R$0.01), 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, 1 Real, vary in size and color
 * Bills
 * R$1, R$2, R$5, R$10, R$20, R$50 and R$100
 * Current exchange rate
 * $1.00 = 1.65766 BRL
 * Time Zone
 * the coastal half of Brazil is GMT-3
 * the middle of Brazil is GMT-4
 * a small portion of Brazil that is most westerly is GMT-5
 * Appearance **
 * Three-piece suits: "executive" connotation
 * Two-piece suits: office workers
 * Women: conservative attire
 * Manicured nails
 * Brazilian flag colors: yellow and green
 * DO NOT wear this color combination
 * Hand signals
 * Touching arms, elbows, and backs is common
 * “O. K.” hand signal is rude
 * “Appreciation” pinch earlobe between thumb and forefinger
 * “Good luck” place thumb between index and middle finders while making a fist (aka the "fig")
 * “Do not know” flicking fingertips underneath chin
 * Behavior **
 * Schedule appointments at least two weeks in advance
 * Do not make spontaneous calls at business or government offices
 * Commitment of long-term time and money to establish strong relationships is the key to business success
 * Regarding time and work, in the major cities, casual only applies to personal and social events, business is formal
 * Do not start the business discussion before the host. Business meetings begin with casual conversation
 * Noon is the time for the main meal. Unless formally entertaining, people eat light meals at night
 * Small cups of very strong coffee are to be expected
 * It is much better to entertain in a restaurant rather than in your home
 * If entertained in someone’s home, thank them by sending flowers and a note the next day
 * purple flowers are used at funerals (violets are fine)
 * For the first business meeting, a gift is not necessary, buy lunch or dinner instead
 * Toast: Saude or Viva [[image:Brazil_flag.gif width="314" height="198" align="right" caption="Brazilian Flag"]]
 * Tip 10%
 * Jeito: nothing is set in stone


 * Communication **
 * Handshaking
 * Often and long is common
 * Hellos and goodbyes
 * Make good eye contact
 * When leaving, shake everyone’s hand
 * Women greet each other by kissing the air cheek to cheek
 * Using first names is common but titles are important
 * Conversation
 * Music, long and animated
 * Interrupting is seen as enthusiasm
 * Joking, informality, and friendships are valued
 * Good topics: soccer, family, children
 * Bad topics: Argentina, politics, religion, Rain Forest
 * Avoid phrases like “Is it true that everyone in Brazil is either very rich or very poor?” chances are, the person will be neither

Sources: [] Joni Nicol [] [] []