Knowing the grammar gets you through a meeting in Portuguese. Knowing the etiquette is what makes the relationship work afterwards. A few notes worth carrying into your first meetings in Brazil, Portugal or Angola.
Greetings run warmer than you'd expect
Handshakes are standard for a first business meeting, but don't be surprised by more warmth than a typical Indian or Western corporate greeting — a hand on the shoulder, closer physical distance during conversation, or (especially in Brazil) a cheek kiss between women, or between men and women who already know each other. Mirror the room rather than leading with formality.
Small talk isn't a delay — it's the meeting
In both Brazil and Portugal, jumping straight to the agenda can read as brusque. Expect, and use, a few minutes of genuine conversation — football, family, travel, food — before business begins. Rushing past it doesn't save time; it usually costs trust.
Titles and names
In Brazil, first names are used quickly, even in fairly senior settings — it signals warmth, not disrespect. In Portugal, titles (Senhor, Senhora, professional titles like Doutor/Doutora) hold on longer, especially with older or more senior contacts. When in doubt, wait for the other side to invite first-name use.
Time works differently
Meeting start times in Brazil, in particular, have more flex than Indian or European business culture — arriving punctually is still wise, but don't read a delayed start as a slight. Portugal runs closer to standard European punctuality.
The language itself is the gesture
None of this replaces the goodwill created by attempting Portuguese at all, even imperfectly. A few sentences in the local language at the start of a meeting — before switching to English if needed — consistently lands better than fluent English alone.
Our Corporate Training programmes build exactly this combination — practical language plus the etiquette around it — for teams heading into Portuguese-speaking markets. For the everyday phrases behind the small talk, see our piece on Portuguese idioms.