Unlike the Mayans or Incas, the Amerindians of Brazil have left few artifacts behind for archaeologists to study. Many tribes disappeared after contact with Europeans, through death or intermarriage with the colonists. Most of the tribes that remain today have adapted to interactions with modern civilization, although a few groups may remain hidden in the Amazon.

To contest occupation by other European powers, King João III of Portugal sent out the first colonizing expedition in 1531. Martim Afonso de Sousa established the settlement of São Vicente. This settlement would eventually become a profitable sugar-producing center,

 

After African slaves were imported to work the plantations. After nearly two centuries of searching, Portuguese explorers finally found gold in Brazil

in the 1690s. Thousands of people poured into the goldfields of Minas Gerais. In the next hundred years, 400,000 Portuguese emigrants would come to Brazil, most of them lured by gold. Two million Africans were also enslaved and imported during the same period. 

 

In 1807, Napoleon occupied Portugal, and members of the Portuguese royal family fled to Brazil. Rio de Janeiro was the seat of the entire Portuguese empire from 1808 to 1821, But the Portuguese emperor became increasingly unpopular. After the emperor returned to Lisbon in 1822, Brazil declared independence. September 7 is Brazil’s national holiday,

 

which marks their independence from Portugal. The new Brazilian empire experienced instability until its second emperor, Dom Pedro II, came of age. Ruling from 1840 to 1889, Dom Pedro II proved to be a dedicated, enlightened, and modest ruler. Industrialization came to Brazil, and coffee replaced sugar as the nation’s most important export. Dom Pedro II was also the final emperor; the military overthrew him and proclaimed Brazil a republic in 1889.

 

Brazil’s ill-defined borders were largely established in the nineteenth century. On its southern border, Brazil annexed what is now Uruguay in 1821. From 1825 to 1828, Brazil fought a war with Argentina for control of Uruguay, but neither side managed to win a decisive victory. After British intervention, Uruguay became an independent buffer state, largely separating Brazil and Argentina. Brazil and Argentina would fight another war from

1851 to 1852; this time Brazil was victorious.

 

On its southwestern border, Brazil fought in the 1864–1870 War of the Triple Alliance. This war pitted Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay against Paraguay. It ended with Paraguay’s defeat, allowing Brazil to annex some Paraguayan territory. In 1903, Brazil also took land from Bolivia. 

 

Brazil’s expansion to the north was stopped by the colonies of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France (which today are Guyana, Surinam, and French Guiana). By 1890, Brazil’s sugar and coffee exports were eclipsed by rubber. The market for automobile tires exploded, requiring massive amounts of rubber. Brazil was then the world’s sole producer of natural rubber, and the country once again experienced a sudden boom. But

Brazil’s monopoly on natural rubber was broken when plantations in Southeast Asia (using stolen Brazilian rubber tree seeds) began rubber production in 1910.

 

Brazil celebrated its modernity by inaugurating the new city of Brasília as the capital in 1960. Fueled by government spending, inflation soared. After several unpopular presidents in a row, the military seized power in 1964. Many Brazilians supported the coup at first, despite rights abuses. Faced with increased protests from the Brazilian people, the military allowed a

presidential election to take place in 1985. Brazil has had free elections since then. 

 

Type of Government

Brazil is a multiparty federal republic. The president is both the chief of state and the head of the government. There are two legislative houses: a Senate and a Chamber of Deputies. The ministers in the Supreme Federal Tribunal are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

 

Language

Portuguese is the official language. Some segments of the population speak German, Spanish, Italian, French, English, or various Amerindian languages.

Of these, 192 of these are living languages, and 42 are now extinct.

 

The Brazilian View 

There is no official religion in Brazil, but nearly 80 percent of the population identify themselves as Catholic. (Note that this includes syncretic Afro-Catholic groups with  spiritualist beliefs; they are sometimes called Spiritist Catholics.) Protestantism is growing in Brazil, now accounting for over 23 percent of the population. The bulk of Brazilian Protestants belong to Pentecostal groups. There are also small numbers of Buddhists, Jews, and Muslims in Brazil. Indeed, virtually every religion on Earth is represented in Brazil.The African heritage of many Brazilians may account for the large numbers of syncretic Afro-Catholic groups, which puts African gods into the realm of Catholic saints.

 

It has been speculated that Brazil’s diverse, sprawling cultures respond best to strong, authoritarian leadership. This may be reinforced by the historic recollection of the rule of Emperor Dom Pedro II (1840–1889) as a golden age. Certainly, the Brazilian people have often accepted military dictatorships in times of crisis. Whether this has changed remains to be seen.

 

Know Before You Go

Crime rates continued to spiral in cities like Rio de Janeiro—travelers should utilize precautions when working late or traveling alone in various urban areas. Even police can be a potential hazard for uninformed visitors. Real and suspected criminals have been tortured and killed, primarily from the large number of homeless, and from those who live in the slums (favelas) in the big cities. Prisons are hugely overcrowded, and riots over poor conditions break out on a regular basis.

 

There is still a prolific illegal wildlife trade in the Amazon Basin, and deforestation is a major problem. Air and water pollution are serious issues in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities. The Amazon Basin holds many potential hazards for travelers, from mosquito-borne diseases to poisonous insects.

 

Be certain that you consult with your physician for current inoculations and medical precautions before you travel to rural areas. The northeastern part of Brazil suffers from recurring droughts, while floods and frost occur in the south.

 

Cultural Orientation

Cognitive Styles: How Brazilians Organize and Process Information

Brazilians are open to discussions of most subjects, but home and family are private topics, and generally not talked about with incidental acquaintances. Brazilians tend to be more analytical and abstractive than other Latin Americans. They look at the particulars of each situation rather than looking to universal rules or laws.

 

Negotiation Strategies: What Brazilians Accept as Evidence

Brazilians tend to approach problems indirectly, allowing their feelings to dictate the solution. Facts are admissible as evidence, but they may change with the needs of the negotiator, and they seldom overrule subjective feelings.

 

Value System: The Basis for Behavior

There are large groups of Germans (who kept their own language) and Japanese (who learned Portuguese) that have their own value systems, which differ somewhat from other Brazilians. The following three sections identify the Value Systems in the predominant culture—their methods of dividing right from wrong, good from evil, and so forth.

 

Locus of Decision-Making

The individual is responsible for his or her decisions, but family loyalty is the individual’s highest duty. Nepotism is the influential family member’s first obligation. The family is more important in Brazil than in any other Latin American country. It has been the single most important institution in the formation of Brazilian society.

 

Sources of Anxiety Reduction

The most significant kin group is the parentela—the relatives one recognizes from both families—which may include hundreds of individuals, all related to an illustrious ancestor. This creates a social structure that gives the individual a great sense of stability. The Catholic Church is an essential part of the culture and social life. Although many Brazilians are only nominal Catholics, the Church gives structure to their lives.

 

Issues of Equality/Inequality

The concepts of class and status are strong and may determine what job a person will have. Class is described in economic terms. There is a strong color bias. There are extreme contrasts between rich and poor, but the concept that powerful people are entitled to special privileges of office is being questioned. The macho male image prevails, and Brazilian men

generally continue to expect women to be subordinate.

 

Business Practices

Punctuality, Appointments, and Local Time

● The lack of punctuality is a fact of life in Brazil. Become accustomed to waiting for your Brazilian counterpart.

● Avoid any business transactions around Carnival, which is celebrated for up to a week before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. The most spectacular festivities culminate on Fat Tuesday.

● Make appointments at least one week in advance. Never try to make impromptu calls at business or government offices.

● Try to make your appointments between 10:00 a.m. and noon, so that your business runs into lunch. It is important to host a good meal with a Brazilian prospect; it is a key part of building a relationship.

● Be prepared to commit long-term resources (both in time and money) toward establishing strong relationships in Brazil. Without such commitments, there is no point in attempting to do business there at all.

Brazil 68 Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands

● Brazilians conduct business through personal connections and expect long-term relationships. Before you invest in a trip, hire an appropriate Brazilian contact in your industry to help you meet the right people. Your Brazilian contact (called a despechante in Portuguese) will be invaluable.

● Most of Brazil is three hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (G.M.T. –3), or two hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (E.S.T. +2). Western Brazil is four hours behind G.M.T., or one hour ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time.

Negotiating

● Be patient. It will usually require several trips to get through a bargaining process.

● During negotiations, be prepared to discuss all aspects of the contract simultaneously rather than sequentially.

● Seemingly, extraneous data may be reviewed and rereviewed. Try to be as flexible as possible without making definite commitments.

● Sometimes Brazilians find aggressive business attitudes offensive—do not expect to get right to the point. Avoid confrontations, and hide any frustrations. If you change your negotiating team, you may undermine the entire contract. Brazilians value the person they do business with more than the firm name.

● Make sure you have a local accountant and notario (similar to a lawyer) or lawyer for contract issues. Brazilians may resent an outside legal presence.

● It is normal for a conversation to be highly animated, with many interruptions, many statements of “no” being interjected, and a great deal of physical contact.

● Brazilians are enthusiastic soccer (called fútbol) fans. Soccer is always a lively topic for conversation.

● Avoid deep discussions of politics and any topics relating to Argentina (Brazil’s traditional rival).

● Brazilians use periods to punctuate thousands (e.g., 5.550 = 5,550).

● Be aware that Brazilians consider themselves Americans also. Do not use the phrase “in America” when referring to the United States of America.

 

Business Entertaining

● Ask your prospect’s secretary to recommend a prestigious restaurant.

● Do not expect to discuss business during a meal. You should participate in the conversation, but not try to direct it too much. Wait until coffee is served to broach a work-related topic.

● Stay at a first-class hotel, and entertain there if the hotel has an excellent restaurant.

● If you are invited to a party, it will probably be given at a private club rather than at a home. Arrive at least fifteen minutes late.

● A snack consisting of cookies, cake, and beverages is usually served at 4:00 or 5:00 p.m.

● Brazilian dinners take place anytime from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Dinner parties can easily continue until 2:00 a.m., but it is not unheard of for dinner parties to break up as late as 7:00 a.m. the next morning!

 

Protocol

Greetings

● Greetings can be effusive, with extended handshakes common during the first encounter, progressing to embraces once a friendship has been established. Women often kiss each other on alternating cheeks. Depending upon your location in Brazil, they may kiss you twice if you are married, three times if single. The third kiss is supposed to indicate “good luck” for finding a spouse. 

● It is polite to shake hands with everyone present in a group, both upon arrival and upon departure.

 

Titles/Forms of Address

● When applicable, titles such as “Doctor,” “Professor,” and so forth are used to address business acquaintances. Or the term Senhor (Mr.) or Senhora (Mrs.) is used to precede the surname. Be aware that people may sometimes introduce themselves using their titles and their first names (e.g., Doctor John).

● Unlike Spanish-speaking countries, the order of names in Portuguese is first name, middle name, last name (from one’s father).

 

Gestures

● Brazilians communicate in extremely close proximity. They may keep in physical contact by touching arms, hands, or shoulders during the entire conversation. They are friendly and outgoing, and physical interaction is simply an extension of the Brazilian persona— do not back away.

● The sign for “okay” in North America (a circle of first finger and thumb) is totally unacceptable in Brazil. It is considered vulgar.

● To signal “come here,” extend your palm face down and wave your fingers toward your body.

● Snapping your fingers while whipping your hand up and down adds emphasis to a statement or can indicate “long ago.”

● To invoke good luck, place your thumb between your index and middle fingers while making a fist. This is also known as the “fig.”

● Flicking the fingertips underneath the chin indicates that you do not know the answer to a question.

 

Gifts

● Avoid giving anything black or purple, since these are colors of mourning.

● Avoid giving knives, which symbolize cutting off a relationship, or handkerchiefs, which connote grief.

● Giving a gift is not required at the first meeting. Instead, buy lunch or dinner, and then consider the individual’s tastes for future gift giving.

● Wait until after the formal meeting is over to present a gift. A relaxed social situation is the best time.

● Small electronic gadgets are appreciated—for example, calculators, iPods or CD players, digital cameras, and so forth. CDs or DVDs of popular movies and entertainers can be expensive in Brazil and make good gifts.

● Name-brand pens are appropriate.

● When invited to a home (an important occurrence), bring candy, champagne, or Scotch. Also bring something for the children—T-shirts or caps from prestigious universities or sports teams in your country, etc.

 

Dress

● Brazil is a tropical country, so expect the weather to be hot. Clothing made of natural fibers will be cooler and more comfortable. (The seasons in Brazil are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere—July is midwinter, and January is summertime.)

● The colors of the Brazilian flag are green and yellow, so foreigners should avoid wearing this combination in any fashion.

● Conservative attire for women is very important in business. Any misstep in clothing or behavior will reflect upon your firm and may even determine whether or not anyone will do business with you. Also make sure your nails are manicured.

● Only young people wear jeans (always clean and pressed). Men should wear slacks and long-sleeved shirts for casual attire.

 

Cultural Note

Brazil has a naturally advantageous location on the equator for a space program. Rockets can launch and enter orbit using less propellant, and carrying bigger payloads from the Alcantara rocket base. However, Brazil encountered setbacks with their program, like the explosion on the ground at the Alcantara base that killed twenty-one people in August of 2003. Subsequently, their first successful launch occurred in October of 2004. Other countries have expressed interest in sending their rockets into orbit from Brazil’s tropical site