Practice Portuguese with excerpts from "Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands: The Business Customs of Brazil" in Portuguese, followed by the English translation.

Em português:
Hábitos em negócios
Compromissos
O horário de trabalho é geralmente das 8:30 da manhã às 5:30 da tarde, mas os executivos geralmente chegam mais tarde e trabalham até tarde. Marque compromissos entre 10:00 da manhã e meio dia, 3:00 e 5:00 da tarde. Se a reunião for em um almoço, prepare-se para ficar umas duas horas.

Esteja preparado para investir recursos a longo prazo (em termos de tempo e dinheiro) quando quiser estabelecer relacionamentos fortes no Brasil. Sem este tipo de investimento será perda de tempo tentar fazer negócios lá.

Brasileiros conduzem os negócios através de conexões pessoais e contam com relacionamentos duradouros. Antes de investir numa viagem, contrate um contato adequado no Brasil na sua área de atuação, para ajudá-lo a contatar as pessoas certas. O seu contato brasileiro (conhecido como "despachante" em português) terá um valor inestimável.

Negociando
Seja paciente. Geralmente são necessárias muitas viagens antes de se chegar ao processo de negociação.

Durante as negociações, esteja preparado para discutir todos os aspectos do contrato simultaneamente, ao invés de seqüencialmente.

Informação aparentemente não relevante é estudada e re- estudada. Tente ser o mais flexível possível sem se comprometer definitivamente.

As vezes os brasileiros consideram ofensivas as táticas agressivas de negociação dos Estados Unidos-- não espere ser objetivo. Evite confrontos, e esconda suas frustrações.

Recepções de negócios
Peça à secretária do seu cliente em potencial que recomende um restaurante de prestígio.

Não espere discutir assuntos de negócios durante a refeição. Você deve participar da conversa sem tentar liderar a discussão. Espere até que o café seja servido para começar qualquer negociação.

Hospede-se num hotel de cinco estrelas, e organize suas recepções no mesmo hotel se o restaurante for excelente.

Se você for convidado para uma festa, é provável que seja num clube ao invés de ser numa casa. Chegue pelo menos 15 minutos atrasado.

Um lanche com biscoitos, bolo e refrigerantes é geralmente servido às 4:00 ou 5:00 da tarde. O jantar dos brasileiros é geralmente entre 7:00 e 10:00 da noite.

In English:
Business Practices
Appointments
Business hours are generally advertised as 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., but decision makers usually begin work later in the morning and stay later in the evening. Try making appointments between 10:00 a.m. and noon, and 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. If your business runs into lunch, be prepared to spend at least two hours.

Be prepared to commit long-term resources (both in time and money) toward establishing strong relationships in Brazil. Without such commitments, there is no point attempting to do business there at all.

Brazilians conduct business through personal connections and expect long-term relationships. Before you invest in a trip, hire an appropriate Brazilian contact in your industry to help you meet the right people. Your Brazilian contact (called a "despachante" in Portuguese) will be invaluable.

Negotiating
Be patient. It will usually require several trips to get through a bargaining process.

During negotiations, be prepared to discuss all aspects of the contract simultaneously rather than sequentially.

Seemingly extraneous data may be reviewed and re-reviewed. Try to be as flexible as possible without making definite commitments.

Sometimes Brazilians find U.S. aggressive business attitudes offensive-- do not expect to get right to the point. Avoid confrontations, and hide any frustrations.

Business Entertaining
Ask your prospect's secretary to recommend a prestigious restaurant.

Do not expect to discuss business during a meal. You should participate in the conversation, but not try to direct it too much. Wait until coffee is served to begin any business.

Stay at a first-class hotel, and entertain there if the hotel has an excellent restaurant.

If you are invited to a party, it will probably be given at a private club rather than at a home. Arrive at least fifteen minutes late.

A snack consisting of cookies, cake, and beverages is usually served at 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. Brazilian dinners take place any time from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Back to Top

Learn a New Word Every Day!

Word of the Day is perfect for improving and enhancing your language-learning skills. Each day via e-mail, you’ll get a new word as well as a sample sentence in English and the language you're learning. Audio files are available online --- you can hear every word and phrase you learn pronounced by a native speaker!

Word of the Day is available in Spanish, French, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Italian, and English (for Spanish speakers). Click here to subscribe and start receiving the Word of the Day in the language(s) of your choice:

Back to Top

Because of the recent elections in the United States, we thought it a good time to glance at the political system in Brazil.

Brazil’s government is based on a multi-party system. There are eighteen parties represented in the Chamber of Deputies alone! There is a presidential election every four years. Until recently, the term limit was one year, however the Brazilian legislature amended the term limits in the constitution in 1996 so that current President, Fernando Henrique Cardoso could run for re-election in 1998.

Voting is compulsory for all literate Brazilians from age 18 to 70. It is optional for 16 and 17 year-olds, those over 70, and those who are illiterate.

President Fernando Henrique Cardoso was elected to his first term in 1995 and is currently serving an unprecedented second term in office. He represents the Partido da Social Democracia Brasileiro (PSDB Party of the Brazilian Social Democracy).

The National Congress (Congresso Nacional) is divided into two chambers: the Chamber of Deputies (Câmara dos Deputados) and the Federal Senate (Senado Federal). The Chamber of Deputies is composed of 513 elected officials. They each serve a four year term and the elections are based on proportional representation. The Federal Senate has 81 members and the members serve eight-year terms. Elections are held every four years, when one-third and two-thirds of the seats are voted on alternately.

Back to Top

Exciting news! According to PC Data, October 2000, Transparent Language, Inc. has maintained the number one position in the foreign language software category for the month of September 2000 and for the entire year to date!

Back to Top

Open the online Help and print the Keyboard Shortcuts topic to have a handy list of shortcut keys to keep near your computer. There are shortcuts for many common actions!

For a quick summary and some background information about a Title, open that Title and choose Help / Author Introduction.

Back to Top