South America is made up of 12 separate countries, plus French Guiana and the malvinas islands. Population: 325 million, or 5.6% of the world's total.
Brazil and Argentina account for about two-thirds of the state's GDP. Brazil alone accounts for 47% of South America's GDP, making it the world's eighth-largest economy.
1.The language of South America
The official language of south americans is not English
Brazil: Portuguese
French Guiana: French
Suriname: Dutch
Guyana: English
Other countries in South America: Spanish
The primitive tribes of South America spoke indigenous languages
South americans to speak English English in China, with higher levels of the majority with young people under the age of 35, south americans very along with the gender, general chat chat, there will be a lot of spelling mistakes of words, and grammar is not smooth, but with South American typing chat or is better than the phone, because of the influence of mother tongue, south americans generally speak English like Latin.
Of course, although most of us do not understand Spanish and Portuguese, it is necessary to use these two languages to send emails to customers, especially to send development letters, and the probability of getting a reply is much higher than that of English.
2.South American character
When it comes to South America, people always think of Brazil's samba, Argentina's tango, crazy football craze. If one word sums up the South American character, it is "bold and unrestrained". But in business negotiations, this "bold and unrestrained" is really good and bad, ice and fire.
"Bold and unrestrained" make South American work general efficiency is low, be put by South American dove is common thing. In their opinion, it is not a big deal to be late for an appointment or to stand you up. So if you want to do business with south americans, patience is very important. Don't assume that if they don't respond to emails for a few days, they'll be dead.
To negotiate with the south americans, allow enough time for a lengthy negotiation process and leave enough room for an initial bid. The negotiation process will be long and difficult because south americans are generally good at bargaining and we need to be patient. South americans are not as stereotyped as some europeans and are willing to make friends and talk about things other than business. So knowing the culture of South America, knowing something about percussion, dance and football will be very helpful for you to cooperate with south americans.
3.Brazil and Chile
When you think of the South American market, you will think of Brazil first. Brazil has a solid industrial base and a sound industrial structure. That is to say, Brazil can produce products made in China. Therefore, the industrial complementarity between China and Brazil is not very great. However, in recent years, since the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games were held in Brazil, Brazil, as a key development object, has a great demand for hotel supplies, security products and textile products in a short period of time.
Apart from Brazil, Chile is another friendly partner of China in South America. Its small land area and narrow coastline make it a country with relatively few resources but highly developed port trade. Chile's big importers are small, even family-owned, but if they have been locally registered for more than a year, the yellow pages will contain information
4. Payment reputation
Generally speaking, the payment reputation of the South American market is ok, but it is a little tardlong (a common problem among south americans). Most importers prefer L/C, and they can also make T/T after they are familiar with it. Now, with the development of e-commerce, online payment PayPal has become popular in South America. The letter of credit delivery must be well prepared. South American markets tend to have a lot of l/c terms, usually 2-4 pages. And sometimes the notices are in Spanish. So instead of ignoring their request, you just list the items you think are unreasonable and ask them to modify them.
5. Brazilian customs and etiquette
In terms of national character, there are two main characteristics of brazilians in the way they treat people. On the one hand, brazilians like to go straight and say what they have to say. Brazilians usually greet each other with a hug or a kiss on social occasions. They only shake hands at very formal events. On formal occasions, brazilians dress very well. They not only stress dressing neatly, but also advocate that people should dress differently in different occasions. In important government and business affairs, brazilians insist on wearing suits or suits. In general public occasions, men should wear at least a short shirt, long trousers, women are best to wear a high necktie sleeve skirt.
Brazilians usually eat mainly European food. Because of the developed animal husbandry, brazilians eat a large proportion of the food of meat. Brazil's specialty black beans have a place in the nation's staple food. Brazilians like to drink coffee, black tea and wine.
Topics suitable for discussion: football, jokes, funny articles, etc.
Special note: when dealing with brazilians, do not give them a handkerchief or a knife. The "OK" sign, used by the British and americans, is considered obscene in Brazil.
6. Chilean customs and etiquette
Chileans eat up to four meals a day. They drink coffee and Toast for breakfast, based on simplicity. Around 1 PM, is the midday lunch, quantity is good quality. At 4 p.m., coffee and a few slices of toast. At 9 p.m., have a formal dinner. When you go to Chile, do as the Romans do. You can eat four meals a day.
For business, you should always wear a conservative suit. Business CARDS in English, Spanish and Chinese are preferred. Both English and Spanish business CARDS can be printed locally and can be picked up in two days. You'd better use Spanish for sales. Posture appropriate low and modest, the most bossy. San Diego businessmen are sensitive. Many local businessmen are fluent in English and German. Chilean businessmen often laugh at foreigners visiting for the first time, thinking that Chile, too, is a tropical, humid, jungle-covered South American country. So there is nothing wrong with paying attention to everything in the European way.
Chileans attach great importance to greeting each other. When meeting foreign guests for the first time, they often shake hands, greet familiar friends, and hug and kiss each other warmly. Some elderly people meet, but also used to raise the hand or hat salute. The most common names used by chileans are Mr. And Mrs. Or Mrs., and unmarried young men and women are called master and miss respectively. In formal situations, add administrative or academic titles before titles. Chileans are always invited to a party or ball with a little gift. People have the habit of giving priority to women. In public places, the young always give up the convenience to the old, women and children.
Chilean taboos are almost the same as in the west. Chileans also consider the number five unlucky.
7.Argentine customs and etiquette
Argentines in daily contacts with the etiquette adopted by the rest of the United States and Europe is generally the same, and by the Spanish influence for the most. Argentines are mostly Catholic, so some religious rituals are often seen in argentines' daily life. In communication, the common handshake. When meeting people, argentines believe that they shake hands with each other many times. On social occasions, you can address argentines as "Sir", "miss" or "madam".
Argentines generally like to eat European western food, to cattle, sheep, pork for food. People like to drink black tea, coffee and wine. There is a drink called matcha, which is most characteristic of Argentina.
In Argentina football and other sports, cooking skills, home furnishings and so on are appropriate topics of conversation. But sending chrysanthemums, handkerchiefs, ties, shirts and so on is not appropriate.
8.Colombian customs and manners
Colombians love flowers, and people in the capital city of Santa fe Bogota love flowers even more. Flowers make the city known as "Athens of South America" look like a big garden. Colombians are serene, calm and like to take their time. When they beckon, the popular gesture is palm-down, with the fingers wagging with the whole hand. If you are lucky, use your index finger and pinky to make a horn.
Colombians meet guests and often shake hands. Men used to shake hands with everyone present when they met or left. The indians of the mountains of Corsica, Colombia, never put their children aside when they meet their guests, so that they may learn from their childhood to get on well with others.
The best time to do business in Colombia is from march to November. Business CARDS can be printed in Chinese and Spanish. Product brochures shall also be printed in Spanish for comparison. Colombian businessmen are slow but proud. So be patient in business, and the best time to give gifts is after a business negotiation is a relaxed social situation.
Colombians are overwhelmingly Catholic and a few are Christian, with 13th and Friday the most taboo days and purple the least popular colour.
9. Automobile and auto parts market
South America is the world's fourth-largest car market after North America, Asia and Europe. To successfully enter the Brazilian market, Chinese automobile manufacturers will have to face practical difficulties such as the advanced market competitive advantages of established automobile enterprises in Europe, America, Japan and South Korea, complicated local laws and regulations, and strict requirements on safety and environmental protection.
There are more than 460 auto parts enterprises in Brazil, most of which are located in Sao Paulo and the triangle of Sao Paulo, minas and Rio DE janeiro.
Rodobens is Brazil's largest car sales and service group; With a history of more than 50 years, it has more than 70 distributors throughout Brazil, Argentina and other regions. It mainly deals in passenger cars and accessories of Toyota, gm, ford, Volkswagen and many other international brands. Rodobens is also Michelin's largest distributor in Brazil. Although Brazil produces 2 million cars a year, the local supplier base remains weak and imperfect, and the parts needed by the original manufacturers are not always available in Brazil, resulting in the need to import parts such as die-casting, brakes and tires from other countries.
10.South American holidays
There may be no one to answer your letters during the holidays.
Brazilian holiday New Year's day jan
Mardi gras on March 3
Mardi gras on March 4
Mardi gras on March 5 (before 14:00)
April 18, the day of Christ's death
Independence day on April 21
May 1st international labor day
Corpus christi on June 19
Brazil's independence day on September 7
Civil servants and businessmen day on October 28
Christmas Eve, December 24 (after 14:00)
Christmas day, December 25
New Year's eve, December 31 (after 14:00)
Chilean holiday New Year's day jan
March 21st Easter
May 1st labor day
Navy day on May 21
July 16 saint Carmen's day
The feast of the assumption on August 15
National Day on September 18
Army day on September 19
The day of conception on December 8
Christmas day, December 25
A holiday in Argentina is New Year's day, which falls on jan
Good Friday, march to April
War memorial day, April 2
May 1st labor day
May 25th, the anniversary of the revolution
June 20, flag day
July 9th independence day
August 17 SAN Martin day
Discovery day (Columbus day)
Conception day on December 8
Christmas day, December 25
The Colombian holiday celebrates New Year's day on jan
May 1st international labor day
Independence day (National Day) on July 20
August 7th anniversary of the battle of boyaca
Immaculate conception festival on December 8
Christmas day, December 25
