Etiquette in Latin America

Etiquette in Latin America varies by country and by region within a given country.

Generalizations

Map of Latin America

There are several definitions of Latin America, but all of them define a huge expanse of geography with an incalculable amount of different customs. However, some generalizations can be made:

• Compared to much of the English-speaking world, people from areas of Latin America may demonstrate more relaxed and casual behaviour and be more comfortable with loud talk, exaggerated gestures and physical contact. It is common to greet known people by kissing them on the cheek. ^[1]
• In addition, many Latin American people have a smaller sense of personal space than people from English-speaking cultures. It may be rude to step away from someone when they are stepping closer. ^[1]
• At some finer restaurants, it may be considered rude for the staff to bring a customer the check without the customer first requesting it. ^[2]
• It is considered impolite to "toss" objects to people instead of directly handing it to them. ^[3]
• The American "come here" gesture of palm upwards with the fingers curled back can be considered a romantic solicitation. ^[3]

Specific regions

The following points of etiquette apply most specifically to a certain region:

Brazil

• Brazilians speak Portuguese, not Spanish. Addressing someone who speaks Portuguese in Spanish, although most Brazilians understand Spanish to a reasonable degree, may be considered very offensive. ^{[4] [5]}
• In Brazil, a form of the American "ok" gesture is obscene when directed at someone with the symbol upside down (back of hands down, circle forward to someone, rest of fingers to your self pointing any side), implying something like "go f... yourself!". However, the standard "okay" gesture is also used, as is the "thumbs up" gesture. ^[6]
• The gesture of "flipping someone off" by hitting the wrist against the inside of the elbow (sometimes called "a banana" in Brazil) is considered playful and not very offensive (in some other parts of the world, this is more akin to "the finger"). ^[6]
• Giving someone of the opposite gender a gift may be easily misinterpreted as a romantic overture, except for birthdays. ^[7]
• In some parts of the country, most notably in rural or suburban areas in which homes may not have doorbells, the appropriate action is to stand in the yard and clap one's hands. If no one comes to the door, then the visitor may approach the door, knock, and then step back away from the door and await a response. This is especially applicable in regards to small, thin-walled cottages that offer less privacy than homes in North America. ^[6]
• In the northeast of the country is rude to enter the house with your shoes on, you have to take them off.
• In the northeast region and rural areas it is rude not to ask for blessing from parents and family, so it is common to see kids and adults asking: "Abenção?" or "Bença (informal use)" and the parents answer with "Deus te abençoe" (God may bless you). If they don't that probably will be seen with bad eyes.
• Tipping isn't a thing in Brazil.
• Kids are not allowed to talk in adult conversation, if they do their parents will give them a lesson later.
• Use napkins when touching your food.
• It is extremely rude to point at someone in the street or out in public.
• When you meet someone it is common to give 2 kisses on the cheek, it is accepted that males can only do this to females and not to other men.
• At restaurants, usually everyone who eats pays the bill, commonly splitting it among people including dates.

See also

• Etiquette
• Etiquette in Canada and the United States
• Etiquette in Europe
• Etiquette in Australia and New Zealand
• Etiquette in the Middle East
• Etiquette in Asia
• Etiquette in Africa

References

1. Erin Richards Cultural Etiquette Archived 2006-11-11 at the Wayback Machine September 19, 2006
2. ACIS Travel Talk August 2006 Archived 2018-04-18 at the Wayback Machine
3. U.S. Institute of Languages Spanish Culture and nonverbal communication
4. Morrison, Terri; Wayne A. Conaway (July 31, 2006). Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: The Bestselling Guide to Doing Business in More Than 60 Countries. Adams Publishing Group. ISBN   1-59337-368-6.
5. Morrison, Terri. "Doing business abroad - Brazil". Archived from the original on 2007-02-05.
6. "Top 10 cultural faux pas". www.af.mil. Archived from the original on 28 April 2009.
7. Terri Morrison The Business of Gifts Archived 2013-06-15 at the Wayback Machine