University of Pittsburgh

Brazil Presentation
By: Rod Pinheiro
February 20th 2005
 OVERVIEW OF BRAZIL
Introduction
General Culture
Business Culture
 Out Line
• Introduction
• Historical Overview
• General Information
• Economy
• People and Culture
• Customs
• Conversation
• Business Culture
• Facts about Brazil
 OUTLINE OF BRAZIL
Introduction
General Culture
Business Culture
From Pittsburgh-USA
to São Paulo-Brazil
Brazil borders
 Historical Overview
• 1500 Portugal colonized Brazil

• 1808 Portuguese court moved to Brazil

and
opened ports to international trade

• 1822 Brazil’s independence from

Portugal

• 1889 Brazil was deposed by military

coup
 General
Information
Populatio
Size: n:
1.Metro Area:
Tokyo, Japan
1. Russia 1. China 2. New York,
2. Canada 2. India USA
3. USA9.16 mi km2 3. USA 275 mi. 3. Mexico City,
4. Brazil 8.5 mi km24. Indonesia Mexico
5. Brazil 174 mi. 4. Mumbai, India
5. São
Paulo,Brazil
Equator

Where I am from

5 regions
3 time zones
2 seasons (very
hot and humid with
rainy periods)
Economy
8th largest
Gross Domestic
Product: $403.8 billion
(2002)

Industry 37 %
Agriculture 9 %
Service 54 %
Official Currency: Real
1U$ = R$ 2.87
 Economy

• Largest economy in South America

• Agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and

service industries

• World’s largest producer of: coffee,

oranges, sugar, and bananas

• Major producer of: soybeans, corn, cocoa,

beef, pork, rice and cotton
 Economy

• Exports: automobiles & parts, minerals,

steel
iron ore, chemicals, cement, footwear,
coffee
• Imports: machinery and equipment,
chemical
products, oil
 People: Surface Culture

• Brazilians are warm, fun loving, free-spirited

and hard working

• Opinionated and will argue their convictions

• Extremely casual attitude about time

• Say “oi” for hello and “tchau” for goodbye

 People: Surface Culture

• Portuguese is the official language;

Do not address Brazilians in Spanish
(It is insulting )

• Social status is measured by one’s

power to
acquire possessions

• Income distribution is highly unequal

and
 People: Surface Culture
Customs
• Handshake is a common greeting, but close
friends will often embrace & kiss cheeks
(Do not be scared)

• Frequent touching of arms, hands, and

shoulders often occur during a conversation.
Thus, this is not a invasion of personal space
 People: Surface Culture
Customs
• The “O.K.” sign upside down is considered
vulgar

• If things are going well, the thumbs-up

sign is okay

• Avoid yawning, stretching or burping in public

 People: Surface Culture
Customs

• Flicking the fingertips underneath the chin

indicates that you don’t know or understan
the answer to a question

• Smoking is illegal in most public places

 People: Surface Culture
Customs
• Brazilians often snap their fingers to add
emphasis to a statement or to indicate tha
something occurred “long ago”

• When joining or leaving a small group, it is

polite to acknowledge everyone by shakin
hands
 People: Surface Culture
Conversation

• Maintain eye contact

• People stand close when talking

• Fast, animated talkers

• Avoid monopolizing a conversation

 People: Surface Culture
Conversation

• Welcome topics: your travels, food,

Brazilian dance/arts, and “futebol”

• Topics to avoid: ethnic/class differences,

Argentina and economic problems
 People: Surface Culture
Food
• Brazilian diet includes: meat, bread, rice,
beans, cheese, and eggs
• Lunch is the main meal, dinner is lighter &
later 7-10 pm
• Pastries are typical snacks
• Favorite foods vary by region: feijoada,
churrasco (barbecue), beef with fries
 Business Culture

• Business entertaining is conducted over

lunch or dinner
• Business lunch-2 hrs, business dinner-3 hrs
• Arrive on time for business dinner
• Social dinner- 15 minutes late
• Most restaurants add 10% to the bill, leave
another 5% for the tip
 Business Culture

• Avoid touching food with your

fingers
• Don’t use your fork to cut

• Do not eat pizza with your hand if

you are in a restaurant
•If you are toasted, raise your glass
and
propose a toast in return
 Business Culture
• Best times to schedule appointments:
10 am- noon, and 3-5 pm

• “Official” business hours: 8:30am- 5:30pm

• Not all Brazilians wish to be addressed by

their
last names

• “Senhor (a)” and “Doutor(a)” can be

added to
first names
 Business Culture

• English is spoken

• Knock on all office doors and wait to be

admitted

Be prepared for frequent interruptions during

meetings

• Never leave as soon as a meeting is over

 Business Culture
Dress
• Business people are highly conscious of
dress

• Men wear dark suits and conservative

ties

• Women wear conservative dresses,

skirts,
pantsuits, & blouses
A few statements about
BRAZIL
In the president elections of 2002, all the regions of Brazil
were computerized, supplying final results in less than 24
hours.
An average of 70% of the Brazilian population,
rich and poor, dedicate a considerable part of
their time in volunteer services.
Brazil today the third biggest democracy in the
world and the eighth world economy.
Brazilian people are hospitable, willing to speak
the language of the tourist, to gesticulate and go
beyond necessary efforts to please.
Brazil is the second largest market for jets
and executive helicopters.
Public relations agencies win the biggest and best
global awards.
 Although Brazil is a nation in development,
Brazilian internet users represent 40% of the
total number in Latin America.
 There are 14 automotive plants in Brazil and 4
more on the way, while some neighboring nations
have none.
About 97.3% of kids between the ages of 7 and 14
are in school.
Brazil has the most modern banking
system on the planet.
The celular phone industry in Brazil is the second
largest in the world, with about 650,000 new
accounts per month.
In the fixed telephone industry, our nation is the
5th largest in the number of phone lines installed.
About 6,890 Brazilian companies have the ISO
9000 Quality Certification compared to 300 in
Mexico and 265 in Argentina.
Rio de Janeiro
Carnival in Rio
Carnival in Salvador
This is São Paulo
 Marginal

São Paulo has today about 16 million people

Ibirapuera Park
Iguacú Falls
Amazon Green Forest
 Cities Protected by Federal Law
-Ouro Preto
-Brasília
-São Luís
-Olinda
-Porto Seguro
-Salvador
                                       
Questions
?
 OUTLINE OF BRAZIL
Introduction
General Culture
Business Culture
Some Imp Facts Abt Brazil
Conclusion
 Flag Of Brazil

Yellow =
wealth in
gold
Discovery Of Brazil
 Currency Of Brazil
Real
 Business Culture
Business Etiquettes
Business Negotiations
Business Dress Code
Business