Brazil: Cross-Cultural Communication

Agenda

We each talk about one

Skit 1• Business Meeting• Mustafa/Bill: Brazil businessmen• Matt: US guy• Mustafa is late; Matt is frustrated that he’s not here yet• Matt talks about business right away• Mustafa and Bill interrupt Matt a lot; Matt becomes upset• Mustafa and Bill hit Matt on the back• Matt describes the project as high-risk, high-return, which makes the

Brazilians uneasy• Matt doesn’t talk about the long term projections for the project until

Bill asks him about them• Matt wants Mustafa and Bill to come back to New York, but

Mustafa’s parents are having their anniversary this weekend and he has to stay

• Matt wants to leave the meeting ASAP to run to another meeting

Skit 2• Mustafa: Brazilian businessman• Matt: US guy• Cory: wife• Bill: Waiter• Matt arrives early to restaurant• Matt shakes hands with Mustafa and Cory.• Matt hands Cory wrapped gift box and tells her to open it when he

leaves• She reacts strangely; opens it right away.• Gift is a purple item; Cory hates Matt now• During dinner:

– Matt brings up politics in Latin America, specifically Argentina– Matt asks about Mustafa’s recent job change, Mustafa gets angry– Mustafa and Cory walk out; waiter brings Matt the bill

What Went Wrong

What he keeps messing up:

What should have been done

Social customs (i.e. polychronic, etc.)

Skit 2, Take 2• Mustafa: Brazilian businessman• Matt: US guy• Cory: wife• Oriana: Narrator• Bill: waiter• Matt arrives early to restaurant• Matt shakes hands with Mustafa• Matt waits until Cory extends her hand to shake hands• Matt hands Cory wrapped gift box • She opens it: Gift is a white item• During dinner:

– Matt brings up football in Latin America, specifically Argentina– Matt asks about Mustafa’s hobbies– Matt offers to pay for the bill