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Brazil

Brazilian etiquette runs warm and physical — a handshake gives way to a cheek kiss once you know someone, personal space runs closer than most Western visitors expect, and showing up exactly on time to a dinner can actually catch your host off guard (hora brasileira). Gift-giving carries real symbolic weight too: purple reads as funeral colors, and anything sharp suggests you want to cut the relationship off.

5 rules.

Category

Country

Rules in Brazil

Print a Portuguese translation on your business card, and don't step back

Business

Keep the fork in your left hand, knife in your right — even for pizza

Dining

Skip purple wrapping and sharp objects when giving a gift

Gifts

Show up around 20 minutes late — showing up on time can catch your host off guard

Home

Let them lead the cheek kiss, and match the local count

Social