Strange Brazilian habits that surprise tourists

1. Always greet strangers

Brazilians are very friendly in most situations and they also tend to use very polite language. In Rio de Janeiro, it is very common to greet strangers in a friendly manner.

2. Hug and kiss often

Brazilians hug and kiss everyone. It doesn't matter if they are close friends or new acquaintances. A hug or kiss is their usual way of greeting, with a kiss on the cheek of course.

3. Throw used toilet paper in the trash

Brazilians usually throw used toilet paper in the trash, never in the toilet. The reason they don’t flush paper down the toilet is because it can clog the sewer system. You’ll often see signs in bathrooms that say: Do not flush toilet paper.

4. Lunch is the most important meal of the day

In Brazil, lunch is an important meal and should be something hot, not a sandwich. The most traditional lunch foods are rice, beans, some kind of meat, and salad. Brazilians generally take at least an hour for lunch and often bring a lunchbox with hot food from home.

5. Brushing teeth in public

Not all Brazilians do this, but it is very common in Brazil to grab a toothbrush to brush your teeth after lunch in the company bathroom, even in front of others.

6. No end time

In Brazil, things usually start at a certain time, but they don't have an expected end time. If you invite friends over for dinner or a party at your house, people arrive late and often stay a long time.

7. Installment payment

In Brazil, you can pay for everything in installments, even very cheap items. It's part of the Brazilian culture. If you want to buy a T-shirt with a credit card, the cashier will ask you how many installments you want to pay.

8. Public means free

In many parts of the world , the word public refers to something that is open to the public. However, in Brazil the word has a different meaning. In Brazil, a public institution is an establishment maintained and managed by the State to provide free services to the public.

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