National traditions of Brazil. Habits, mentality and the way of living

Brazil owes its cultural diversity to the last three hundred years of immigration. Aspects of socialization of Brazilians from different social groups may differ considerably. Meeting a large group of people, Brazilians always introduce themselves and shake hands individually. They keep eye contact longer than Europeans or Americans and feel comfortable in social situations. The same can be said about the personal space - for example, it is perfectly normal to stand close to strangers in public transport. When communicating, locals may move very close to the interlocutor. Such values such as tolerance and kindness are widely cultivated, which, perhaps, is the colonial heritage of neighboring ethnic groups. An ordinary Brazilian would rather try to avoid direct confrontation than get into a beef.

Men usually greet each other with a handshake. A handshake with two hands expresses sincerity and warmth. Women kiss each other on both cheeks. A woman who wants to shake a man's hand offer it first. Hugs and patting on the back are common among friends. During communication, Brazilians use a rich body language and touch interlocutors.

Brazilians are generally known for their friendliness and optimism. They happily look forward to the future, expecting only good things. Colorful festivals and excellent climate help them in maintaining an optimistic mood. Even the poorest people love to celebrate and dance, forgetting about everything. Brazilians are unhurried, rarely fussing, living today and enjoying little things. But there is the flip side of the coin - residents of Brazil cannot be called punctual people. Their relaxed attitude and tendency to enjoy every moment prevent them from arriving at meetings on time. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Brazilians may say bad things about the government or culture of their country, but if they hear how a foreigner says the same, they get offended and begin defending even something they do not like themselves. In general, Brazilians take the criticism of their country by foreigners very seriously. Due to their politeness, Brazilians rarely correct foreigners who speak poor Portuguese. Therefore, if you study Portuguese and want to improve it in Brazil - be sure to ask your buddies to correct you.

The family is of great importance to the locals, so adult children often live with their parents until marriage. Distant relatives or close ones - relations are supported by all members of the family. Young people take care of the elderly, while old people look after small children. In recent decades, Brazilians women give birth less than before, especially in urban areas. The same thing happened with marriage - open relationships are becoming more common. However, the population of Brazil remains deeply religious. Religion plays an important role in the local culture.

Unfortunately, despite all the positive traits, discrimination based on skin color is still a frequent phenomenon. Lower classes usually consist of cleaners, drivers, and other similar servicemen who may be treated with disrespect by representatives of middle and upper classes. Women are often subjected to discrimination on the basis of gender and appearance, despite the prohibition of these kinds of discrimination in the 1988 Constitution. Women living in urban areas have open access to opportunities in education and careers. However, the patriarchal way of life is gradually changing. But in poorer areas, women still have limited access to education and career opportunities, working mainly in low-paid spheres with low qualifications. Afro-Brazilian women are particularly marginalized, many of them work as housemaids or prostitutes. In Brazil, education between the ages of 6 and 14 is compulsory. However, children outside the urban areas sometimes do not have access to further education.