Experience Brazil’s Hospitality

Brazilians are known worldwide for their friendly, ‘open arms’ nature.

Experience Brazil’s hospitality firsthand. Here’s how.

This series was presented by the Consulate-General of Brazil in Chicago and the Brazilian Foreign Ministry’s Cultural Department.

In celebration of Brazil’s Bicentennial year, 1822 – 2022

This week’s Brazilian Minute: Experience Brazil’s Hospitality

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Catch up with other Brazilian Minute episodes you may have missed!

Script from Audio:

Brazil is known for its hospitality. It’s part of the culture. Greetings come with a smile and a kiss from women and a hearty handshake with a pat on the back from men.

Brazilians face day-to-day problems just like we do. But their genuinely outgoing nature seems to invite socializing.

Brazilian hospitality makes outdoor grilling a social event. Friends gather while rotisserie meats on long skewers are slowly cooked over wood and charcoal, then generously sliced – one at a time – onto your plate.

This process repeats over several hours, so there’s plenty of time for laughter, conversation, cold beer, and great music.

Brazil is among the world’s most-friendliest nations. After all, they do throw the world’s largest party for Samba and Carnaval every year.

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Arms outstretched: Rio de Janeiro’s Cristo Redentor atop Corcovado mountain welcomes nearly 2,000,000 people every year. Some couples even get married in the chapel at its base. (Photo: 193996354 / Brazil © Wirestock | Dreamstime)

More on: Experience Brazil’s Hospitality

Overview:

June 30th is World Handshake Day. It’s the perfect time to learn more about the deeply-rooted nature of Brazilian hospitality.

It’s true. As a rule, Brazilians are a warm, friendly, and outgoing people. They love meeting new people and they love to entertain. There’s a sense of positivity that’s refreshing, accepting, and accommodating.

Want an example? Amazingly, we’ve met Brazilians for the first time and have found ourselves having lunch at their home nto long afterwards. Several remain close friends still today.

Here’s an example. If you find yourself at a churrascaria in Brazil and someone is celebrating a birthday, don’t be surprised if the entire room erupts into a loud chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’.

It’s the Brazilian way.

Brazilian Hospitality Is Homegrown

Brazilians live in a thoroughly Latin culture. Social values often reflect their Latino-nation counterparts in many important ways. One of these is a strong sense of family. As a matter of fact, family plays an important role in the daily lives of Brazilians.

In Brazil, the relationship between mother and father and the children is based on love, guidance, and support.

With nurturing comes a sense of commitment and responsibility to parents and siblings and the family unit. These values carry over to extended family with the same support and respect. Importantly, Brazilian families encourage personal freedom to explore the direction of one’s life.

In Brazil, the extended family includes friends, too. That’s why socializing is second nature.

So, now you understand what’s behind that genuine smile, earnest handshake, or warm hug when you meet a Brazilian for the first time.

Brazil’s Hospitality: Once Bite at a Time

When it comes to understanding a country’s culture and people, food is usually a pretty good indicator.

Brazilian Hospitality? Often, it begins in the kitchen. As an example, in our Brazilian family’s home in Sao Paulo, everyone enters the house through the kitchen. Simply put, this is Mom’s domain.

She reasons that if you are in the kitchen, you must be hungry. Quicker than you can say “Nao, Obrigado” there’s a warm plate of rice and beans set on the table. There’s a fresh salad. And two kinds of meat. And bread from this morning’s run to the bakery. She’ll say “Come, come, come!’ (eat, eat, eat!) and the phrase resonates with a smile.

Never mind that you just ate 40 minutes ago and that you needed to walk it off. When you step into a Brazilian kitchen that’s what can happen.

Extend Brazilian Hospitality to Your Next BBQ

What we know as a Brazilian steakhouse is actually called a churrascaria. The event itself is referred to as churrasco. Interestingly, when you have a grill in your backyard it’s called a churrasceira.

We Americans love to grill. First, we fire up the briquettes. Secondly, we throw on the steaks, burgers, chicken, and pork. And when they’re finally ready, we rush them to the table.

In Brazil, it’s exactly the opposite. In Brazil, grilling is at the center of a social event.

Importantly meats are slow-roasted over wood or wood charcoal, then moved to the cutting board. Now, they are thinly sliced and served to your guests at the table.

The process is a slow roll on purpose. As a result, it provides plenty of time to socialize while enjoying each meat as it becomes available.

Preparation And Patience

Here’s how to transform your next BBQ into a Brazilianized social event.

Prepare. Choose your meats carefully. Figure about 1/2 pound of meat per person.

First, take your time when grilling. Start with a ring sausage. Ready to flip? Add a few chicken thighs. Of course, the sausage will grill quicker, so bring it to the cutting board. Slice it and let your guests serve themselves. Next, add a thick-cut Ribeye, then cut and serve the chicken, thinly sliced.

Don’t forget the sides. And desserts. Here’s an idea.

Grillin’ Like A Brazilian

You can repeat this cycle, substituting various sausages and meat cuts. Be sure to add plenty of Brazilian music, cold beer, and caipirinhas, and soon, you’ll notice conversations and friendships all around you.

That’s it! Now you’re sampling Brazil’s world-famous hospitality. And your first churrasco will be a memorable occasion.

Ready for your next one? Brazilian butchers cut their beef differently. We’re here to help you with 7 Essential Truths For Brazil On The Grill.

Music, Travel, Friends and Fun! 2022 marks Connect Brazil’s 25th year.