EVER HEARD OF "JEITINHO BRASILEIRO"?
"Jeitinho brasileiro" is an expression that can be freely translated to "the Brazilian way of doing things". It means that, regardless on the rules or systems in place, where there is a will there has to be a way around it. In Brazil it takes unique proportions: people, institutions, companies, policies and even legislation have been influenced by it. The jeitinho is so ingrained in our daily lives that you can see examples of it everywhere: managing to get a seat when all the places are booked up, traveling with more luggage than it is allowed, driving in road shoulders, parking in spots for disabled people, successfully ordering something that is not on the restaurant menu etc.
However, "Jeitinho" is not always used to take advantage. There is another very important side, which is the capacity to deal creatively with life’s everyday complications.
Many foreign businessmen get astonished by the fact that, most of the time, they have to become friends with Brazilian entrepreneurs in order to do business with them. But the fact is that Brazilians cannot separate public and private dimensions, . A businessman is the citizen and the company at the same time and being friends with the company hastes negotiations and increases trust.
When doing business in here, everything flows better if you treat everyone with friendship. Many things in Brazil are done based on the exchange of favors. It is even widely said around here: “for my friends everything, for my enemies the Law”. Think about it.
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