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Taboos in BrazilFoodIn Brazil, cat meat is seen as repulsive and people often shun barbecue establishments suspected of selling cat meat. The expression churrasco de gato ("cat barbecue") is largely used in Brazil with a humorous note, especially for roadside stands that offer grilled meat on a stick (often coated with farofa), due to their poor hygiene and that the source of the meat is mostly unknown.In northeast Brazil there is a similar dish to haggis called "buchada", made with goats' stomach.In Northeast Brazil there are many taboos originating from Portuguese, African and Indigenous cultures.On of the most famous alimentary taboos in Brazil, from north to south, is that it causes harm to eat mango and drink milk afterwards because it causes congestion. The taboo is ancient and would have surfaced in the time of colonial Brazil, when farmers invented it to avoid slaves eating mango, whose bearing was abundant, and drinking milk furtively during milking, thereby reducing the volume that arrived in the main house. The belief that this mixture could even kill was spread amongst the slaves.There are also various other taboos concerning fruit consumption:??eating mango and drinking a lot of water afterwards will give you stomach ache;??don’t mix mango with ‘cacha?a’ (sugarcane alcohol), as it poisons;??eating mango and eggs causes indigestion;??mixing mango with jackfruit provokes intestinal pain.?Of course with progress and technological advancements, alongside the invention of the liquefier used to prepare smoothies and the habit of making fruit salads, many of these taboos involving fruit consumption lost their strength, especially in the large urban centres.The taboo that “Cacha?a and milk ruins your insides” probably comes from the Spanish “la leche con el vino tornase venino” (Milk with wine makes poison).Other taboo food and drink recorded and circulating in Brazil: ??watermelon an wine stays in your stomach;??eating meat and fish in the same meal shortens your life;??mixing banana with guava causes harm, makes you constipated;??eating ‘sarapatel’ (tripe) and then having milk causes harm because it ruins your liver;??eggs with banana causes harm;??eating papaya with egg causes pain and can be fatal;??drinking ‘cacha?a’ and then sugarcane syrup causes stomach pains;??eating cucumber and drinking ‘cacha?a’ gives you congestion;??eating banana and then jackfruit causes harm because it makes you constipated;??eating egg and pineapple gives you bad congestion.Many pregnant women believe they have to eat specific foods to better breastfeed. These include black beer, foods made of corn, chicken soup and a few typical teas.People also say that you?re not supposed to take a shower after you eat because it can kill you.SocialUnfortunately, many black people here suffer from racism and there are taboos that increase that. At many residencies buildings, for example, they will expect a black person to use the service elevator and not the main one, because the taboo is that the person is a home maid. That has caused many judicial law suits.Also, many black people on streets receive that "look" from other people because many people here treat blacks as criminals. See, most of the Brazilian poor population is black, and the criminal rates are high among those.RegionalIf you are in Sao Paulo, and you make a mistake driving, they?d say you made a BAIANADA. That is a reference for people that come from BAHIA STATE. Is not funny, not good, it has an enervation feeling to it.Also if you are in Rio, the expression will change to PARAIBA. It means a person that comes from that state (Paraiba) and has the same denigrating meaning.Many Brazilians say man from Rio Grande do Sul are gay. Just because of the manners, and the fact they are always trying?hard to show their manhood. Some people take that as just a funny thing and some really don?t like it at all.Brazilian Etiquette Tips1. Dress AttireDO dress very nicely. Women who want to blend in shouldn't dress overly formal or conservative, but should still dress elegantly.DO wear clean and stylish shoes.DO keep nails manicured.DO dress more conservatively for business functions. Men should wear dark suits, shirts, and ties. Three piece suits indicate that you are an executive, and two piece suits indicate that you hold a lower position. Women should wear dresses and suits, but they should still be feminine.DON'T wear yellow and green together. Those are the colors of the Brazilian flag.2. Table MannersDO expect meals to last long. Lunch itself can last over two hours.DO wash your hands before eating.DON'T eat with your hands.DON'T discuss business during meals unless the host initiates it. However, discussing business at meals is more common in Sao Paulo and Rio.3. TippingDON'T tip at restaurants unless the service was outstanding. It's not customary in Brazil. There is usually a 10% service fee at the end of the bill, but paying it is optional.DON'T tip cab drivers. The bill for a taxi ride is rounded up to the next whole number.DO give a small tip to hotel porters. R$5 to R$10 will do.4. Gift Giving and Accepting GiftsDO give flowers, but avoid purple flowers aside from violets. Purple flowers are traditionally funeral flowers. Orchids are always appreciated, but again, avoid purple.DON'T give gifts that are purple or black. Those colors are for mourning.DON'T give handkerchiefs because they are associated with funerals.DO open your gift immediately.DO give gifts of liquor, books, or nice pens.DO give gifts to children.5. Body GesturesDON'T make the "OK" sign with your hand. It's considered a very rude gesture in Brazil.6. GreetingsDO shake hands with everyone who is present and maintain eye contact during the handshake. Women also often greet by exchanging kisses on the cheeks, starting with the left cheek.DO expect hugs and pats on the back among people you are familiar with.7. Visitors EtiquetteDO arrive about a half hour late for dinner. For a larger party, arrive about an hour late.DO bring your hosts a small gift, such as flowers. You may also send flowers the following day.8. Business MeetingDON'T be the first to bring up business at a meeting. Let your host bring it up first. This will usually happen after some get-to-know you small talk.DO schedule meetings about two weeks in advance and have it confirmed in writing.DON'T bring a gift at the beginning of a business relationship. Also, gifts should not be exchanged at a formal business meeting.DO be on time. In some parts of Brazil, they are very casual about punctuality, but as a guest to their country, don't be late. However, in Sao Paulo and Brasilia, meetings tend to begin on time.DO be patient. Brazilians negotiate slowly.DON'T change your negotiating team while negotiations are in progress. Brazilians prefer to negotiate with the individuals, not the company as a whole, and changing your team could set things back.DO business face-to-face as opposed to over the phone and email.DO impress your Brazilian business associates by staying in a nice hotel.DO expect to be invited to have a drink after work.9. Socializing and Conversation DO be aware that Brazilian women can be very up front and may try to flirt with a man, even if he is out with his wife. If you don't like the attention, be cordial but not overly friendly.DON'T discuss Argentina, religion, the Rainforest, and Brazil's class system.DON'T ask personal questions, such as questions about age, salary, or marriage.DO discuss soccer (football), the beach, and Brazil's growth as a country. Those are all safe and interesting conversation topics.10. Beach EtiquetteDO as the locals do at the beach. Local women usually wear shorts, t-shirts, skirts, or tank-tops while going to and from the beach, wearing a bikini underneath. Local men wear a t-shirt and a pair of swim trunks, with Speedos underneath.DON'T wear long sleeves, street clothes, or dress shoes at the beach. You'll stick out like a sore thumb!DO keep your top on at the beach while soaking in some sun, ladies! Tan lines are considered attractive in Brazil and topless sunbathing isn't common these days. ................
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