Brazil Rules & Etiquette

Rules & Etiquette

Brazilians tend to be very open and talk freely about their problems, especially about political corruption and other problems. But do not imitate them, as they are likely to feel offended if you criticise their country or customs. In some small towns, local politics can be a sensitive issue and you should be careful when talking about it. Be polite, as always.

Body language Brazilians use a lot of body gestures in informal communication, and the meaning of certain words or expressions may be influenced by them.

The thumbs up gesture is used everywhere and all the time in Brazil. The OK gesture (thumb and finger in a circle), on the other hand, may have obscene connotations in Brazil. Avoid it if you can. Use thumbs up instead. A circular movement of the forefinger about the ear (a gesture that Germans use to indicate telephone for you) means you are crazy!. Stroking your two biggest fingers with your thumb (as the French do to say something is expensive) usually expresses a very long time. Touching the palm with the thumb and making a circular movement with the hand means I am being robbed! (sometimes meaning that some price is too high). The Hush gesture is considered extremely unpolite, just about the same as shouting "shut up!" to someone. An informal way to get someone's attention (similar to a whistle in other cultures) is a hissing sound: "pssiu!" It is not perceived as unpolite, but gets annoying if repeated too often. They also call cats this way, rather than the kiss noise others (the French again) produce.