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RESEARCH TASK

1. You are preparing for a business trip to Brazil where you need to interact extensively with local
professionals. Therefore, you should consider collecting information regarding local culture and
business habits prior to your departure. Prepare a short description of the most striking cultural
characteristics that may affect business interactions in this country.

Culture

Religion & Beliefs:

 Brazil is predominantly a Roman Catholic country

 Catholicism’s beliefs and practices tend to vary throughout this vast country particularly in rural
areas where the Saints of the Church are honored with a vow of pilgrimage.
 When the Portuguese colonized Brazil, they brought with them the religion which met with the
religious traditions of the indigenous population and those of the African slaves, thus giving way
to syncretic practices in some areas.
 Symbolic of Brazil’s religious affiliation is the colossal statue of Christ the Redeemer that stands
on the summit of Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janei
Socialization:
 Child rearing in Brazil is very much dependent upon class, cultural and racial diversity and socio-
economic differences throughout the country.
 Brazil’s cultural diversity emanates from the various immigrant populations over the past three
hundred years, including the Portuguese who colonized the country and other European
peoples, Japanese, Chinese and African slaves. The aspects of socialization, therefore, vary
considerably between groups. Although some cultural exchanges exist much depends upon
ethnicity.
Greetings
 Greetings involving women will involve kissing of both cheeks.
 Handshakes are usually reserved for men. It is customary to shake hands with everyone present
both upon arrival and upon exiting the room.
 Hugging and back slapping are also quite common.

Business Habits
 Brazilians are usually rather affectionate, tactile people. In business relationships, Brazilian
businessmen will usually get to know one another before committing to long-term business
dealings, as they want to know those with whom they deal.
 When doing business in aim at building a friendly relationship with your Brazilian counterpart. If
you have a less polite person on your team, it is best to leave them at home. Brazilians have a
famous saying “to our friends, everything; to others, the law”, so be careful what side you take
 Brazilians negotiate with people not with companies, therefore, a building a positive relationship
(via small talk) is necessary while discussing business matters.
 It is believed the further north you go the more relaxed the attitude is in regards to business.
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 Try not to show feelings of frustration or impatience as this will reflect poorly on you as an
individual. Brazilian’s pride themselves on their ability to be in control, so acting in a similar
fashion will improve your relationship and interactions with your Brazilian counterparts.
 Brazilian business is hierarchical. The final decisions are usually made by the highest-ranking
person; therefore, it takes some time to make a deal.
 Brazilians prefer face-to-face meetings to written communication as it allows them to know the
person with whom they are doing business.
 The individual they deal with is more important than the company.
 Be courteous and do not openly criticize particularly in a group situation as this will cause
offence.
 Communication is often informal and does not rely on strict rules of protocol. Anyone in the
meeting can comfortably contribute to discussions.
 It is not frowned upon to interrupt someone when they are speaking as long as it is within
context of the discussion and not to overtly disagree or criticize.
 Brazilians are very much in favor of properly drawn up legal documents.

Culture can influence the business in different ways. Language problems, pricing difficulties
and culture collisions are not uncommon, especially in the beginning. The company must be able to
handle these difficulties in a way that is satisfying also for the other part. Mistakes can be difficult to
correct and disrespect for the foreign culture can destroy the entire operation. There are some general
advices the company always must have in mind before and during a co-operation on the international
market. It is important, even before entering the foreign country, to inform the personal about the
manners and customs in that new culture. If the first impression becomes negative, this can be hard to
shake. Foreign cultures have different ways of doing business, for example when it comes to planning
ahead and keeping delivery times. Culture can be both a positive and negative influence and many
companies are struggling in the new and foreign environment.

2. Typically, cultural factors drive the differences in business etiquette encountered during
international business travel. In fact, Asian cultures exhibit significant differences in business etiquette
when compared to Western cultures. For example, in Thailand it is considered offensive to show the
sole pf the shoe or foot to another. Find five tips regarding business etiquette of the Asian country of
your choice.

Malaysia is a highly multicultural country and you will probably make business not only with
Malaysians but also with Chinese and Indians. They all have different rules of conduct and what might
be seen as appropriate by one group can be considered as offensive by the other.

Meeting and Greeting

 Within the business context most Malaysian businesspeople are culturally-savvy and
internationally exposes. Your experience may very well depend upon the ethnicity, age, sex and
status of the person you are meeting. The best approach is always friendly yet formal. A few tips
include:
 Initial greetings should be formal and denote proper respect.
 If in a team, introduce the most important person first.
 Many Malays and Indians are uncomfortable shaking hands with a member of the opposite sex.
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 Foreign men should always wait for a Malaysian woman to extend her hand. Foreign women
should also wait for a Malaysian man to extend his hand.
 To demonstrate respect Chinese may look downwards rather than at the person they are
meeting.
 It is important that professional titles (professor, doctor, engineer) and honorific titles are used
in business. Malays and Indians use titles with their first name while Chinese use titles with their
surname.

Business Card Etiquette

 Business cards are exchanged after the initial introductions.
 If you will be meeting Chinese, have one side of your card translated into Chinese, with the
Chinese characters printed in gold.
 If you will be meeting government officials, have one side of your card translated into Bahasa
Malaysia.
 Use two hands or the right hand only to exchange business cards.
 Examine any business card you receive before putting it in your business card case.
 The respect you show someone's business card is indicative of the respect you will show the
individual in business. Act accordingly.
 Never write on someone's card in their presence.
Business Meetings
 It is a good idea for the most senior person on your team to enter first so that he or she is the
first to greet the most senior Malaysian.
 This gives face to both parties as it demonstrates respect towards the Malaysian and shows that
you respect hierarchy within your company.
 It is customary for leaders to sit opposite each other around the table.
 Many companies will have their team seated in descending rank, although this is not always the
case.Expect the most senior Malaysian to give a brief welcoming speech. You need not
reciprocate.
 There will be a period of small talk, which will end when the most senior Malaysian is
comfortable moving to the business discussion.
 Meetings may be conducted or continue over lunch and dinner.

Meetings, especially initial ones, are generally somewhat formal. Treat all Malaysian participants
with respect and be cautious not to lose your temper or appear irritated. At the first meeting between
two companies, Malaysians will generally not get into in-depth discussions. They prefer to use the first
meeting as an opportunity to get to know the other side and build a rapport, which is essential in this
consensus-driven culture.