Brazil is home to beautiful beaches, futuristic cities, and excellent weather, so it’s no surprise it attracts over 5 million people yearly. However, as with any new place, you might encounter some cultural differences that can sometimes be shocking.

In this post, we’ll walk you through some common culture shocks you might experience in Brazil and offer tips to help you handle them and enjoy your trip.

But first, here are some essential do’s and don’ts to help you have a safe and smooth experience while visiting Brazil:

Important travel safety tips for Brazil

• Don’t walk alone at night: To avoid falling victim to robbers, especially in places like Copacabana in Rio, it’s advised that you walk in groups or more populated areas.
• Don’t wear expensive jewellery: Wearing flashy items like gold or luxury wristwatches can make you a target for thieves.
• Do take copies of your passport with you: This is an essential travel rule. When in a new city, leave your passport in a safe place and always have a copy with you. You might need to show an ID in certain situations, and having a copy on hand protects your original passport from being stolen or lost.
• Do have travel insurance: The last thing you want while travelling is a medical emergency. That’s why it’s important to have travel insurance that covers both medical and non-medical issues like travel delays and cancellations. With Grey, you can get a 10% discount on insurance plans from Insured Nomads.
• Don’t walk with your phone in hand: Keep it out of sight while walking in Brazil because it can easily be swiped. Always be aware of your surroundings and the people around you before using your phone.
• Do use Uber if possible: Uber is available in many Brazilian cities, making it easier and safer for you to get around.

Now that you know these safety tips, let’s look at some culture shocks you might experience in Brazil.

Common culture shocks when visiting Brazil

The “OK” hand gesture:

Travelling exposes you to different cultural norms, and the “OK” hand gesture is a prime example.  Although this generally means “okay” or “all good” in many Western countries, it can be seen as vulgar and insulting in Brazil and many European and South American countries. So, to avoid misunderstandings, use a thumbs-up gesture instead.

Bathroom etiquette:

It might feel awkward, but tissues and toilet paper shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet in Brazil. Instead, they are disposed of in the bathroom trash bins. This is because the plumbing systems and pipes are smaller and can quickly become clogged, leading to plumbing issues.

Language:

Before leaving for Brazil, it’s a good idea to learn some basic Portuguese. While English is spoken in major cities like Sao Paulo, many Brazilians speak Portuguese as their primary language. Knowing some keywords and phrases will make it easier for you to get around and communicate with locals.

Time:

Brazilians typically have a relaxed approach towards time. If you’re used to being punctual, you might need to adjust, as it’s not unusual for social events to start 30 minutes to an hour late.

Physical contact:

In Brazil, physical contact is more common than you might be used to. People often greet each other with hugs and kisses on the cheek. It’s also typical to see people standing close to one another during conversations and touching someone’s arm or shoulder.

This close contact is a sign of warmth and friendliness, which might be overwhelming if it’s not something you’re used to. Understanding this aspect of Brazilian culture can help you feel more comfortable and naturally interact with others.

Driving style:

Driving in Brazil is not for the faint of heart. Brazilian drivers are known for their dangerous driving habits; cars and trucks change lanes quickly, and speed limits and traffic rules are almost always ignored. You should also expect heavy traffic jams, especially in major cities, so plan for possible delays.

Wrapping up

Understanding these cultural differences beforehand will ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable visit to Brazil. Also, to help ensure you have a convenient trip, you can withdraw and easily spend Brazilian real with a Grey account. Create your account today to manage your money seamlessly and enjoy a stress-free adventure across Brazil’s vibrant cities!

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