IX. BUSINESS TRAVEL - Business Customs U.S. business visitors should become accustomed to several business conditions specific to Brazil. Compared to the United States, the pace of negotiation is slower and is based much more on personal contact. It is rare for important business deals to be concluded by telephone or letter. Many Brazilian executives do not react favorably to quick and infrequent visits by foreign sales representatives. They prefer a more continuous working relationship. The Brazilian buyer is also concerned with after-sales service provided by the exporter. The slower pace of business negotiation does not mean that Brazilians are less knowledgeable in terms of industrial technology or modern business practices. In fact, one should be as prepared technically when making a call on a S o Paulo firm as on a Chicago firm. In addition, a U.S. business person is encouraged to learn as much about the Brazilian economic and commercial environment as possible before doing business. While office hours in Brazil are generally 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., decision makers begin work later in the morning and stay later in the evening. The best times for calls on a Brazilian executive are between 10 a.m. and noon, and 3 to 5 p.m., although this is less the case for S o Paulo where appointments are common throughout most of the day. Lunch is usually two hours. It is customary in Brazil to drink coffee during a business appointment. While many Brazilians may speak English, they may wish to conduct business in Portuguese. The non-Portuguese speaking U.S. executive may need an interpreter on more than 50 percent of business calls. Correspondence and product literature should be in Portuguese, and English is preferred as a substitute over Spanish. Specifications and other technical data should be in the metric system. - Travel Advisory and Visas While foreign business visitors may enter Brazil with only a tourist visa, Brazilian law requires that they must have a temporary (business) visa if they plan to transact business. "Business" would include signing legal documents, engaging in financial or commercial transactions, and working or engaging in research. Visa status may be changed while in Brazil. If the change is from a temporary to a permanent visa, duty-free entry of personal effects is not permitted. Tourist visas are valid for 90 days. A temporary business visa is valid for 90 days. Transit visas are valid for 10 days and require travelers to enter and exit through the same port. Details regarding Brazilian visa procedures and requirements are provided in literature available on request from the Consular Section, Embassy of Brazil, 3006 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20008. Tel: (202) 745-2828. - Holidays The following holidays are designated by the Brazilian Government: New Year's Day - January 1 Carnival* - Four nights and three days preceding Ash Wednesday Good Friday Easter Sunday Tiradentes Day - April 21 Labor Day - May 1 Corpus Christi - May 25 Independence Day - September 7 "Nossa Senhora Aparecida" (Our Lady Appeared) - October 12 All Souls Day - November 2 Proclamation of the Republic - November 15 Immaculate Conception - December 8 Christmas Day - December 25 In addition, various state holidays and other religious and federal holidays are proclaimed throughout the year. Some of these include: San Sebastian Day - January 20 (Rio de Janeiro only) Anniversary of the Founding of the City of S o Paulo - January 25 (S o Paulo only) "Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes" - February 2 (Porto Alegre) * Avoid arriving during Carnival unless reservation have been confirmed in advance. - Business Infrastructure Air Travel - Brazil has three major airlines, Varig, Vasp, and Transbrasil. These companies provide efficient service throughout the country. Brazilian regional airlines provide service to their respective parts of the country. Air taxi service are available at most airports. Scheduled airline fares are comparable to those in Western Europe. Business people, travelers, and residents spend a good deal of time among the four most important cities -- S o Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Bras lia, and Belo Horizonte. S o Paulo is Brazil's center for commerce and manufacturing; Rio de Janeiro is important for its service industries and several state companies; Bras lia is the seat of government and location of foreign embassies. An excellent air bridge (or "ponte a rea") service facilitates travel among these three cities. During rush hours, flights between Rio de Janeiro and S o Paulo leave every 15 minutes from conveniently located downtown airports. For weekend travel, return reservations must be confirmed for Rio on Friday evening and for return to S o Paulo or Bras lia on Monday morning. Local Transportation - Meter taxis, identified by roof lights, are plentiful in urban areas. However, getting about in S o Paulo and other large cities can still be a problem. It is not always possible to rely on taxis when making calls. They are extremely difficult to find at certain hours of the day and in certain sections of the city. Fares are inexpensive, but frequently readjusted to compensate for the high inflation rate. A table used to adjust fares is posted on the inside of the taxi's rear window. It is not necessary to tip. Radio taxis are more expensive but convenient and reliable. In Rio call: 270-1442, in S o Paulo call: 251-1733, in Bras lia call: 224-3330 or 224-7474, and in Belo Horizonte call: 464-3999. Rental cars are common, especially at airports. They can be costly compared with other forms of transportation. S o Paulo is very confusing for a newcomer; driving is not recommended. Time. Local time in Brazil is two hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. The country observes daylight saving from December to February. When daylight savings is in effect in the United States, Brazilian time is one hour ahead. When daylight savings is in effect in Brazil, Brazilian time is three hours ahead.