Culture Smart! Brazil: A Quick Guide to Customs and Etiquette

I recommend this little book to businesspeople and all who want a concise but complete overview of Brazilian customs and culture. It is very good. One comment: in the chapter Business Briefing, it is said that "it is better to be more formal and use titles (Senhor, Doutor, etc) accompanied by the (Brazilian's) last surname". But actually in Brazil we use the titles (Senhor, Seu, Doutor, etc)followed by their first name. Example: Doutor Jorge, Seu Antonio, etc). This is a formal way to address a person in Brazil. One can use the title followed by the last surname (as the book suggests) only when the person is already known by their last surname (which in many cases is used almost like a nickname). Example: If the name of the person is Fernando Figueiredo but he is known as Figueiredo, so you could call him Seu Figueiredo (if you want to be formal). Confused? My advice: Observe how other Brazilians address the person you are talking with, (but do not forget to consider the hierarchical status of all involved). Dr. Virginia Pearson Cross-Cultural facilitator Ph.D. in Cross-Cultural Psychology and International Management (...)

This book is making preparation for visiting this amazing country very thorough. An easy read and filled with useful tips.