Brazil

Smart Talk

Dwelling on money, whether fussing over how to split the check ("People will think you’re greedy," says Brazilian-American Paulo Padilha) or asking what someone does for a living.

Bringing up the level of violence or constantly asking if it's safe to go out. There surely are many problems, but it's not something to harp on.

Padilha cites the rule, "No politics or football at the dinner table." As a foreigner, you can bring up soccer-politics, not so much.

Making light of Catholicism: Brazil may be a fairly liberal country, but even an urban sophisticate may be a deeply devout Catholic—no Vatican jokes, please.

Commenting crudely on women, which can get you into hot water as a gringo.

Diversionary Topics - Music is universally beloved, so praising Brazilian song, or even asking if your acquaintance can recommend an artist, is always a good idea.

Tipping Etiquette

Listen Up

Basic Phrases Essential For Your Travels

Hello

Bom dia, boa tarde, or boa noite (“good day,” “good afternoon,” “good night”); or, informally, olá. Even less formal: oi (“hi”) or opa (“hey”). If women are involved, there will be cheek kisses on all but the first formal business meetings. Two kisses predominate in Rio, one in São Paulo, as many as three elsewhere. Men never kiss and should generally shake hands.

Good-bye

Adeus (formal and when leaving for a long time); tchau (less formal, more “see you soon”).

Thank You

Obrigado if you’re male, obrigada if you’re female (the implied subject is “I,” so it’s the gender of the speaker that counts). But if you overuse it—or the word please—“this will be a surefire way to stand out as a gringo, even if you speak fluent Portuguese,” says Paul Irvine of the Dehouche travel agency. Less formal variations include valeu (“it was worth it”) for experiences and que lindo (“how pretty”) for gifts.

Excuse Me

Desculpe-me in the sense of an apology, or just desculpe if you’re in a hurry. More formal than both is perdone-me (“please forgive me”) or, for condolences, lamento. Com licença will get you through a crowd or get someone’s attention.

Help Me

Pode me ajudar? In emergencies: Socorro!

Please

Por favor, same as in Spanish, but use sparingly.