Rio de Janeiro City Guide - Business Etiquette

Business cards are exchanged by way of introduction and businesspeople usually expect to deal with someone of an equal business status. Introductions from mutual contacts are highly valued. Dress code is generally smart and suits are necessary when meeting heads of companies or attending semi-formal social functions in exclusive clubs and restaurants. Normal business hours are Monday to Friday 0900 to 1800. Quite often, however, business is done over dinner in a restaurant. Brazilians have an incredibly relaxed attitude to time and are often very late for meetings. It is very important to take time for pleasantries.

Brazilians are more casual than their Latin American counterparts but it is important to dress neatly and offer respect. Bear in mind that it can get cold in the south in the winter, though in Rio, temperatures remain high. At the beginning of a conversation, at least, strangers should always be addressed with the formal 'o senhor' or 'a senhora' until they use the informal 'tu' or 'você'. Professionals will often be addressed as 'o doutor' ('doctor'), whatever their line of business. Shaking hands is the first point of contact, although kissing on the cheek is common on subsequent meetings - unless you are male and your contact is female. Although many executives speak English, it is advisable to conduct business in Portuguese, if possible.