Personal Space
Many people think Brazilians are friendly and outgoing. However, it is important to avoid generalizations. As in all cultures, there are many individual differences in Brazil as well.
Regarding personal space, Brazilians accept some friendly touch and proximity. This space may be smaller than in some cultures.
Brazilians Don’t Like to Say No
Because Brazilians do not want to hurt another person, they speak slowly and sometimes they are not totally straightforward. For example, if you invite someone to dinner, they may start to give you a lot of excuses because the person doesn’t want to say no. Since foreigners do not understand this, they can be confused and often frustrated. So if plans seem “up in the air”, the answer is probably no.
Brazilian Punctuality
One feature for which the Brazilian is known is his lack of punctuality, especially when meeting friends. It is not intentional to be rude, but outside of work, the Brazilian does not care too much about the time. For some, the important thing is simply to get somewhere, even if late. So if a Brazilian says, ‘I’m on my way now’, expect it to take an hour at least. As another example, if something is scheduled for 3 pm, your friend will likely arrive around 3:30 pm. In social situations, you can expect late arrivals, especially if more than one person is invited.
Greetings
In formal situations, Brazilians shake hands with each other. In informal situations, women usually exchange two kisses (in reality, the cheeks touch and the kisses are in the air). A woman and a man can also kiss in informal situations. Two men never kiss, but they can hug each other with slaps on the back.
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