Brazil Etiquette Info Needed: Women and Business; Religious Considerations?

Question

For Women and Business: What is the role of women in Brazil concerning business. Do the customs of Brazil allow or disallow women to lead businesses. Are they considered in any way inferior. Any other info conerning etiquette helps to.

For Religious Considerations: What kind of things to expect for going to Brazil concerning religion. Is religion considered in business. I.E. Prayer, religious sayings. As long as it pertains to business etiquette, any other info helps too.

This is for a project in Business Portfolio.thanks

Answer 1

My experience has been thate there are businesses led by women - a friend of mine has her own business in Brasil.  However, I have also found that there is still a bit of "machismo" and some men aren't particularly thrilled with women in leadership roles.  But on the whole, I'd say it is fairly similar to the USA.

As for religion - not aware of much 'consideration' of religion in business.  There are a lot of business related to religion (bookstores, idols/figures, etc.).  Since popular elections were reinstated in the early 80's, it seems there is a bit more religious liberty in the country.

Answer 2

Very interesting question.

Well, I don't think that women are percieved as being lower than men in business. They certantly have to overcome prejudice to get higher up in Brazil, just like any other country, but once there I don't think they have further problems. It's all in the atitude right?

I've had two woman bosses in very different areas of work and they were both VERY competent and respected. No doubt.

My mother has always worked in life and always had leading positions on her jobs, again, not a problem.

It is not as male dominated as other South Amercian coutries in my opinion. I do think that it depends a bit where you will be heading. Location does make a HUGE difference in Brazil, as the South and Southeast are much more advanced. I would even include the Central- West. North and Northeast are much more underdevelloped in such matters. But even there I would say it depends a lot on the persons attitude.

Religion.

Well, Brazil is still vastly catholic, hence no prayer in business, since more and more, it seems to me that catholics view business and something dirty in some way.

For those who are evangelical I have seem a little prayer mixed with business, but nothing that can be compared to the US.

Must be an interesting project, if you have more questions my email is open.