Brazil

                                             Brazil

Brazilian Culture Overview    

Official name – Federative Republic of Brazil Population – 198,739,269* Official Language – Portuguese Currency – Brazilian real (BRL) Capital city – Brasilia GDP – purchasing power parity $1.99 trillion* GDP Per Capita – purchasing power parity $10,100*

Overview

Brazil is a country greatly shaped by its diverse culture and geography. The largest country in South America in both population and area, Brazil has long been the source of important natural resources such as timber, sugar and coffee. The culture is a thriving fusion of Portuguese, African and indigenous Indian influences, all of which have left their mark on Brazilian society resulting in a rich, distinct culture. Brazilian culture is known for its hospitality, openness and colorful and rhythmic events such as Carnival. As Catholicism is the predominant religion in Brazil, many of these events have a strong Catholic influence. The diversity of Brazilian society is further emphasized by the prevalent class differences which permeate almost every aspect of society. Understanding the diversity of Brazilian society and the unique values and attitudes of its citizens will help you develop better relationships and do business more successfully with your Brazilian colleagues.

Key concepts

Family – Brazil is a collectivist society which places family at the centre of its social structure. Families in Brazil tend to be large and close-knit, providing members security and connections. The importance of family is also evident in Brazilian business culture where often family members will often be found working for the same company, either family owned or otherwise.

Relationships – Similar to the importance placed on family, Brazilians depend heavily on relationships with others. It is essential therefore to spend the time getting to know your Brazilian counterparts, both personally and professionally. Knowing the right people will also help minimize any frustrations you might experience doing business in Brazil.

Time – Time in Brazil is approached in a very relaxed and flexible manner. Punctuality and precise plans are not common. Brazilians tend to live life at a slower pace, and this carries over into business which can result in negotiations taking much longer than you are used to. Meetings are also often delayed or cancelled without any prior warning.