Brazil plays hosts to numerous immigrants every passing day. These immigrants are from about fifty different countries making it difficult for the country to have a specific official language. Brazil has an array of several languages that are spoken making it difficult for the Portuguese to have power over it. However, this is bad for the Brazilians as it is accompanied by a lot of challenges in as far as communication is involved.
Greetings
The verbal communication of Brazilians is usually highly personal, informal, complex and cordial. The men greet one another through shaking hands and giving one another a gentle pat on the back whereas the women are greeted through being given a light kiss on the cheeks, near to their faces, and shaking their hands. The greetings mode in Brazil is more or less the same as that of other countries. However, their greetings have a slight twist. On meeting, the Brazilians shake hands and the n maintain eye contact until someone looks away. Mostly, it is the younger person or the person with a lesser rank that looks away. Ladies greetings are usually done by kissing each other’s cheeks while starting with the left side
Verbal communication
Mostly, the communications of Brazilians are always made of natural talks that can involve personal and intimate topics. This explains why their talks are usually characterised with questions of personal nature. Introducing conversations with the Brazilians is best done through starting topics touching on traffic, weather, culture, music and mostly soccer. Touching on the indicators of economy in the country or events that happen in the city is also a good way to start of communication in Brazil. Conversations that dwell on politics are usually rear to come by in the country. Throughout the conversations, there are certain topics that one should avoid. These include social inequalities, corruption, racism, religion, deforestation, security, poverty or comparisons between Argentina and Brazil in terms of soccer teams. Laughing makes Brazilians proud and is usually considered to be a little bit loud in their speaking and a higher tone of voice. Brazilians are known for frequent interruptions or addition of some things in their speeches with other people and this is not viewed to be rude in Brazil. During their conversations, there is a lot of touching of each other in an attempt to get closer so as to ignite the trust that ultimately inspires the relationship to be strong. Brazilians are used to giving advice more as opposed to orders due to the fact that straight talk offends them. (Novinger, 2003)
Non verbal communication
In Brazil, putting the thumbs up is a sign to mean good just like it is in America. In showing appreciation, the Brazilians pinch their earlobes using the fore finger and the thumb. They also believe that through placing the thumb in between the middle finger and the index finger, bad lack is gotten rid of. This sign is referred to as ‘fig’. Flicking the fingertips under the chin is a sign that is done in the event that one fails to answer a question that was asked.
Some of the bad signals done by the Brazilians include making an ‘O. K’ sign with the fingers. This is regarded similarly to the American middle finger. The ‘corna’ gesture is also regarded as being obscene, meaning that the wife is cheating on you.
In Brazil, two piece suits are regarded as being for the official workers while three piece suits indicate an executive look. In the business world, women are keen on conservative dressing and their nails are manicured. The wearing of the combination of the Brazilian flag colours which include green and yellow is mostly avoided. The touching of elbows, backs and arms is very common. (Piepenburg, 2011)
Geert Hofstede Analysis
Power distance
In this dimension, the individuals in the society are not considered as equals. There is a further expression the acceptance of this fact by those considered unequal. In Brazil, there is a belief that hierarchy is supposed to be respected and there is an acceptance of the inequalities. In the country, those holding power have more benefits that those individuals having less power. The elderly are respected and the children are expected to take good care of their elderly parents. The companies have a boss who is in charge of the entire company and there are several status symbols of power.
Individualism verses collectivism
This is based on the degree of the interdependence that exists in a society. The main point is whether the society defines the self image of its people as ‘I’ or as ‘We’. Individualistic societies are characterized by people taking care of their direct families and themselves while societies that are collective are those in which the people are in groups and exchange loyalty for care. Brazil is based on a collectivist mode where the people are bonded into groups which are cohesive. The families live in extended nature including cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles. There is protection offered to them in exchange for their loyalty. In the working environment, there are instances of offering a lending hand by the older people to the younger people so that they can get jobs. (Vincent, 2003)
Masculinity / Femininity
A masculine society is one that success is defined by one being a winner and is achieved through competition and achievements whereas societies with a feminine dimension include caring for each other in the society. The Brazilian culture is characterized by feminists, where people are more interested in leveling; there is sympathy and consensus building. Those who are underdogs are valued and encouraged and there are efforts to avoid conflicts as much as possible both at work and in the private lives of the people.
Uncertainty avoidance
This involves the views on the society concerning the fact that the future is not known, and their reactions to this fact. It reflects on the extent to which people lay back and wait for things to happen or create beliefs and try to shape up the future. Brazil has a strong affiliation to rules and has legal systems that are elaborate and that bring order in life. Individuals are expected to obey the laws and there is need for moments that are relaxed, good and safe lives. (Mische, 2009)
Conclusion
Brazilians are much defined in their behavior. They have characteristics that are well drawn like for instance, they are not amused by impromptu visits but usually like it when appointments are made. In order to establish long relationships with them, one needs to be prepared to commit the resources and time as this is vital in the success of business. They have their main meals at midday while light meals during the nights.
Work cited
