Doing business in Brazil
Interviewer: Can you tell us something about doing business in Brazil? Is it important to arrive on time for meetings or appointments?
Interviewee: Well, here, there’s a difference between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. In Sao Paulo, it’s very important to arrive in good time. But in Rio, it’s normal to be up to fifteen minutes late.
Interviewer: Ah, so what happens when a businessman from Rio has a meeting with one from Sao Paulo?
Interviewee: That’s a very good question! I think it probably depends where the meeting is. You also need to know that in Brazil, people often change appointments or meetings at the last minute, or cancel them completely. So you must be ready to arrange new meetings while you’re there.
Interviewer: And what about the meeting or appointment itself? Can you start talking business immediately?
Interviewee: No, it’s very important to start with some small talk – your family, their family, the city you’re in, football of course, anything that’s not business. If you don’t do that your host will perhaps think that you’re not interested in doing business with him.
Interviewer: How easy is it to conclude a deal with a Brazilian – to sign a contract, I mean?
Interviewee: The important thing here is to be patient – not to go too quickly. A Brazilian wants to know you well before doing business with you. So it’s not easy to sign a contract on the first visit. You will probably have to come back to Brazil another time.
Interviewer: In Europe, an important part of business culture is the business lunch, of course. Is that part of the Brazilian culture, too?
Interviewee: Yes very much. But remember that for a Brazilian, the idea of going to a restaurant is not to do business, but to get to know you better. But he will be very happy if you invite him for lunch, and very happy also if you ask him to choose the restaurant
Doing business in Brazil
Interviewer: Can you tell us something about doing business in Brazil? Is it important to arrive on time for meetings or appointments?
Interviewee: Well, here, there’s a difference between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. In Sao Paulo, it’s very important to arrive in good time. But in Rio, it’s normal to be up to fifteen minutes late.
Interviewer: Ah, so what happens when a businessman from Rio has a meeting with one from Sao Paulo?
Interviewee: That’s a very good question! I think it probably depends where the meeting is. You also need to know that in Brazil, people often change appointments or meetings at the last minute, or cancel them completely. So you must be ready to arrange new meetings while you’re there.
Interviewer: And what about the meeting or appointment itself? Can you start talking business immediately?
Interviewee: No, it’s very important to start with some small talk – your family, their family, the city you’re in, football of course, anything that’s not business. If you don’t do that your host will perhaps think that you’re not interested in doing business with him.
Interviewer: How easy is it to conclude a deal with a Brazilian – to sign a contract, I mean?
Interviewee: The important thing here is to be patient – not to go too quickly. A Brazilian wants to know you well before doing business with you. So it’s not easy to sign a contract on the first visit. You will probably have to come back to Brazil another time.
Interviewer: In Europe, an important part of business culture is the business lunch, of course. Is that part of the Brazilian culture, too?
Interviewee: Yes very much. But remember that for a Brazilian, the idea of going to a restaurant is not to do business, but to get to know you better. But he will be very happy if you invite him for lunch, and very happy also if you ask him to choose the restaurant
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