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Brazil

MELISSA BOYD
CSIT 120 HONORS

Capital City: Brasilia

Cultural Aspects
Language
Portuguese

Religion
no Primary religion however they have religious
diversity and are tolerant of all religions:

Common Terms
English
Portuguese
Hello
Oi
Good Morning
Bom Dia
Goodbye
tchau
Please
Por Favor
Thank You
Obrigado (a)
Help!
Ajuda!
My Name is
Meu nome e ____
I Don't Understand No entendo
Do You Speak English? Voc fala ingls?

1.

2.

90% Christian
1.

74% Roman Catholic

2.

14% Protestant

3.

1% other Christian denominations

4% African and syncretistic


1.

3.
4.

combine catholic and African cultural


beliefs

1.3% Spiritism
Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism and Islamic
religions also practiced

Rio De Janerio
Rio De Janerio is divided into two sections; Zona Norte (north
zone) is where the industrial region is. the second section is
Zona Sol (south zone.) this is where a lot of the residential
and tourist attractions are including the beaches and where
the Carnivals are held in February. Christ the Reedemer also
lives here overlooking the city and continues to be one of the
most visited statues in the world.

So Paulo
Sao Paulo is Brazil's economic and industrial moneymaker. This city alone generates one trillion dollars into
the country's economy. Even though the city is flooded
with filth and pollution, the thousands of restaurants,
businesses, financial institutions, and social scenes keep
Brazil afloat. The museum of art and the Municipal theater
are also located in Sao Paulo.

National Cusine
Brazilian food includes a variety of
european, Middle Eastern, and
African cooking styles and foods. In
other words, Brazil is full of spice
and flavor!

Empadhinas are pie


crust turnovers filled
with any kind of
meat. Very popular
snack and appetizer.
An alcoholic beverage
mixed with Cachaca,
(Brazilian sugar
cane,) and crushed
lime. Must add on
your beach day list!

Common Stereotypes
Soccer

"football is Brazil's universe,


Brazil's world runs on soccer,
everyone plays soccer...." Etc.
Brazil does hold Football very
high and center to their culture.
It also brings together the social
classes and what everyone
comes together for....
GOOOAAALL!

Sex Drive

"Brazil is the sexiest country in


the world."

Brazilians are very open with


themselves and are not afraid to
show a little skin. The culture
it'sself with Carnival and social
scenes allow this image to be
portrayed. You can also see
women topless or in thong bikinis
on the beach, as it is openly
accepted. Embrace your body
Brazil!

Superstitions
Saci Perere

Saci is the one legged elf with


holes in his hands that is
believed to be responsible for
anything that goes wrong in and
out of a Brazilian household. Saci
smokes a pipe and wears a red
cap which is where he gets his
powers from. He likes to play
tricks such as hiding children's
toys, kitchen items, etc. That
little trickster!

It is often considered good


luck if a humming bird
visits your house.

Don't try these in Brazil!


the "okay"

Although innocent
here, it is considered
offensive in Brazil and
make natives think
you're looking for
trouble.

Rock on

Very popular for


showing our love for
rock and roll as well
as Texas football; in
Brazil, this is
considered a symbol
to let someone know
his wife has been
having some fun on
the side.

Business Culture

Etiiquette and Body Language

Brazilians tend to be more personable and closer. Some gestures


and body language that we view as normal is viewed as
professional and friendly in Brazilian business culture

some of these include

standing two feet apart

frequent touching during conversations

direct, sustained eye contact

women kiss on both cheeks after greeting

providing materials translated into Portuguese

don't call by first name unless invited

Relationship Building

Brazilians tend to be laid back and open in the business setting


and tend to go with the flow. They also tend to have open
conversations about any and everything and cut people off, not
to be rude, but to contribute to the conversation at hand.
Personal friendships are viewed as crucial to the business world
and co-workers often go out together for dinner, happy hour, or
get togethers. Team bonding is very important to the business
aspect and believed to develop stronger successes.

Communication Styles

Excellent conversationalists. Brazilians often tend to be the


loudest group of all in public yet still remain aware of their social
surroundings. They tend to never offer constructive criticism in
public, if offered, they will do in private as to not embarrass the
other person. Relationship bonds between superiors and
employees is crucial and often avoid conflict.

tend to cut each other off and burst out ideas overtop one
another. They believe this to be a sign of enthusiasm and
excitement rather than rude or interrupting.

Power Structures
Even though they are
very informal
amongst each other
in the business world,
Brazilians are aware
of Hierarchical roles in
the workplace.

Similarites and Differences in


Body Language

Similarities and differences in


Communication
Brazil

Loud

Informal

Frequent interruptions

America

Both Cultures tend to avoid


Both Brazil and
conflicts
speaks
at a between
time
America think One person
Employees and Employers
business deals are
Formal
since this relationship is
very important and
to the business'
Don't speak crucial
out
of
turn
will go above and
success
beyond for their
partners

Power Structure

Both Brazil and America recognize some type of Hierarchial system in their
business worlds. While the employee in Brazil may need to make
connections with their higher ups to get things done, the lower guy on the
totem pole in America stays at just that with of course room to grow.
Stepping out of boundaries is often looked down in American Culture
where in Brazil is looked at as a move beneficial to success.

Internet Penetration and Social


Media
Popular Websites

Google
Yahoo
Zarp

Exploora

Top Social Media


Sites

Long Term
Orientation

Facebook

I believe this should be


higher, but on the scale at 44,
Bazil's demension for long
term orientation serves the
business world because they
believe in keeping friendly
and personable relationships
with partners. Remaining in
contact can be very useful to
them one day.

Snapchat
Instagram

Individualism
Brazil has a strong need for
connecting in groups. They scored
a 38, they do not necissarily lack
individualism, they just believe in
bonding with others. Working in
groups makes them more
successful

Power Distance

Brazil respects the differences in the hierarchical business


system. this means that they accept the inequalities of different
positions in the workplace and each respect their own role in the
function of the community. This does not mean they look down
on each other, they each just know their own position and know
the person in charge has the most power of all.

Uncertainty
Avoidance
Brazil has a strong need for
structure and rules. Each individual
is expected to obey and respect all
laws and rules in place. If rules
become uncertain or out of their
time, new rules will be put into
place. Because of the demand,
Brazilians are alloted time for
relaxation in the work place.

Masculinity

Brazil is a male-dominated country in the business world. It's no


wonder the Business setting if full of competition and motivation
throughout. Making yourself stand out in Brazil is encouraged
due to such a high masculinty demension score.

Brazil and America


How do these Demensions compare?

Individualism

While Brazil prefers group work,


bonding, and the importance of
togetherness, Americans tend to
practice individuality. This is no
surprise because while Brazil is
very personable, America tends
to stick to themselves and would
only speak when spoken to

Power Distance

The gap between power in the United States is far less smaller
than that of Brazil. While Brazil and America both use different
job titles and practice power placements accordingly, Americans
tend to sometimes take on roles that are not assigned to them.
You see this largely in minimum wage positions especially when
there is a high volume and low staff issue.

Uncertainty Avoidance

Scoring much lower than Brazil, America's tolerance for


uncertainty shows in everyday lives. Deeply impacted after 9/11
as well as Hurricane Katrina, the ability to go outside of the lines
is much lower. Many of the laws and procedures in place are for
the sole purpose of avoiding the unknown harm for the country.

Masculinity

Both Brazil and America have a strong desire to "be the best" and
to come out on top. While Brazil sticks to their social scale and
willingness to help others, America tends to only worry about
themselves even if that means going outside of their power.

Today in Brazil
Murder Rates Drop

Host Volleyball Finals

since 1991, Brazil's murder rate


has dropped an astounding
55.74% since that of 1991.
Lowest murder rate in years for
Brazil, eventhough the crime rate
is one of the highest in the world.
Carnival on!

This Summer, Rio De Janerio will


host the 2016 World League
finals for volleyball! This is also a
test run to prepare them for the
summer Olympics.

Sources

The Global Road Warrior. Brazil: Country Snapshot. Retrieved March 22, 2015, from
http://0-www.globalroadwarrior.com.library.ccbcmd.edu/contentinfo.asp?cid=19&nid=65&
next_nid=66

THE HOFSTEDE CENTRE. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2015, from http://geerthofstede.com/brazil.html

10 Innocent Hand Gestures You Should Never Use Abroad - SmarterTravel.com. (n.d.).
Retrieved March 23, 2015, from http://www.smartertravel.com/photo-galleries/editorial/10innocent-hand-gestures-you-should-never-use-abroad.html?id=693&all=1

Number of Murders in Rio for February is Lowest Since 1991 | The Rio Times | Brazil
News. (2015, March 21). Retrieved March 23, 2015, from http://riotimesonline.com/brazilnews/rio-politics/number-of-murders-in-rio-for-february-lowest-since-1991/

Rio de Janeiro to Receive World League Volleyball Finals | The Rio Times | Brazil News.
(2015, March 10). Retrieved March 23, 2015, from http://riotimesonline.com/brazilnews/rio-sports/rio-de-janeiro-to-receive-world-league-volleyball-finals/

The End

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