You might have been in this situation if you’re dealing with Brazilians often:
You say, “we’re meeting at five.”
They say, “sure.”
Now they’re 30 minutes late, and you call them, asking what happened. They say: “I’m almost getting there!” But it takes them another 30 minutes to get there — and you correctly surmise they were lying when they said they were about to arrive.
Yet another situation:
You’re waiting in line in Brazil — and we have lines for everything — when someone who was not waiting in line starts talking to someone in front of you. Then this person jumps in the line in front of you, and nobody complains (although they show clearly that they don’t like it).
You might have seen this:
It's a nail! (source)
In all three instances, it’s a display of the Jeitinho Brasileiro, or the “little Brazilian way.” In this article, we’re going to talk about what it is (well, at least a possible working definition), why you should understand it, and what to do about it, especially if you deal with Brazilians regularly.
What is Jeitinho Brasileiro?
Jeitinho Brasileiro is a term that is often used to describe the unique way of life in Brazil.
It is a cultural phenomenon that is deeply ingrained in the Brazilian psyche and is often seen as a way of getting things done. Sometimes we don’t have the proper means to get things done (that is, we don’t have money), so we have to improvise.
The term itself is difficult to translate into English, but it roughly means the "little Brazilian way" or the "Brazilian workaround."
Sérgio Buarque de Holanda, a great Brazilian scholar, talked about the fundamental characteristic of the Brazilian people: the “cordial man.”
It is the concept that truly describes what it is to be Brazilian. The cordial man is the man who is ruled by his heart. Due to this fact, our society “is a nation where personal, affective relationships always trump abstract political, religious, or moral principles”.
The book “Roots of Brazil” [affiliate link] is one I can’t recommend enough if you’re deeply interested in understanding our society.
A personal example of Jeitinho Brasileiro in everyday life
The Jeitinho Brasileiro can manifest in small acts of kindness, such as letting someone cut in line, or in more significant ways, such as finding a way to get around a bureaucratic obstacle.
I can give you a personal example I’m not particularly proud of, but it is what it is.
First, a little bit of context:
In Brazil, healthcare is free. But because we are a vast country, with millions and millions of people, we need some way to organize the whole process to take care of people efficiently.
This last word, efficiently, doesn't accurately describe what we see. It's a lot of bureaucracy.
At local health centers, doctors only see a predetermined number of patients every day, and sometimes they see so few patients that the line to see the doctor may extend over months.
But…
For some time, I had a very good friend who was a receptionist who worked in the public health center close to my house.
Whenever someone in my house needed to see the doctor, I would call this friend up and tell her that I needed help.
She would then aptly include whoever I mentioned on the list to be seen by the doctor on that day. If it so happened that the doctor couldn't really see anyone else officially, she would arrange for us to see the doctor after work. And the doctor would usually oblige.
"Brasília: corrupt people act shamelessly!" "When will it end?" (next) "Thanks, friend, I was late!" (Source)
Positive and negative aspects of Jeitinho Brasileiro
While the Jeitinho Brasileiro can be seen as a way to navigate the complexities of Brazilian society, it can also have negative consequences.
One of the downsides is that it can perpetuate a culture of corruption and nepotism.
The same friend who helped me get around the bureaucratic obstacle at the health center might also be able to help me get a job or a contract, regardless of my qualifications. This creates a system where success is based on who you know rather than what you know.
(By the way, just a quick language note: in my home state Ceará, we call this benefitting from your connections “peixada” [pay.SHAH.duh], which translates as “fish stew”.)
Another negative aspect of the Jeitinho Brasileiro is that it can lead to a lack of accountability.
When rules are bent or broken to help someone out, it can be difficult to hold them responsible for their actions. This leads to a culture of impunity, where people feel they can get away with anything if they have the right connections.
Again, just look at the former president’s imbroglio with the jewels he received.
Why should you understand the Jeitinho Brasileiro?
Do you have Brazilian friends?
Do you travel to Brazil often?
Do you envisage a future in which you live in Brazil?
Then understanding the Jeitinho Brasileiro is crucial for you.
It's like learning the secret handshake that unlocks the door to Brazilian society. Without it, you might find yourself lost in a sea of confusion and frustration.
And now, from a Brazilian standpoint…
In countries like the United States, people seem to value individualism and self-reliance. They believe that success comes from hard work and determination.
In Brazil, however, success often comes from who you know and how well you can navigate the complex social networks that make up Brazilian society. It's like a game of chess, where the pieces are people and the board is the social fabric of the country.
To understand the Jeitinho Brasileiro is to understand the rules of this game.
It's about knowing when to make a move and when to hold back.
It's about understanding the power of relationships and the importance of reciprocity.
It's about recognizing that sometimes, the best way to get things done is not through official channels, but through personal connections.
In other countries, people believe that rules are rules and everyone is expected to play by them. But in Brazil, the rules are seen as mere “suggestions” and “recommendations”.
It is not inherently negative — as I said, it is what it is, and it will not change in our lifetime. I’ll be long dead and gone before this country ever sees a profound change in this aspect.
How to deal with Jeitinho Brasileiro… advice from a Brazilian
The right way never involves being completely inflexible and outright demanding. It won’t fly in Brazil.
One way to deal with the Jeitinho Brasileiro is through acceptance and adaptation. As one of my favorite YouTube comedians once said: “if you accept it, it’s cheaper.”
Truer words have never been spoken.
This means recognizing that things may not always go according to plan and that sometimes, you may need to be flexible to get things done.
(source)
Another approach is to set boundaries and expectations.
While it's important to be open-minded and adaptable, it's also important to establish clear guidelines for what you are and are not willing to accept.
If you’re dealing with friends, make it clear why following the plan is so important. When I tell my friends I need their help by a specific date, I tell them they must answer on the spot if they can help. Otherwise, they don’t need to say they’ll participate. And I clarify that I’ll not be mad if they can’t or won’t help.
To navigate the Jeitinho Brasileiro, learn and respect Brazilian customs while staying true to your own values. You don’t need to change your nature just to deal with us, but you should be flexible enough so that you’re not frustrated every time you deal with us.
Are you ready to learn more about and accept the Jeitinho Brasileiro?
In conclusion, understanding Jeitinho Brasileiro is crucial for people visiting Brazil or dealing with Brazilians.
It is a cultural phenomenon that has its roots in the country's history and has become a way of life for many Brazilians (even though some complain of it, they’re more than happy to benefit from it)
By understanding and accepting it, you can navigate social situations and build stronger relationships with Brazilians easily.
But one last note: if you're planning to visit Brazil, it's essential to remember that Jeitinho Brasileiro is not an excuse for dishonesty or unethical behavior. It's a way of finding creative solutions to complex problems and navigating social situations in a country with a vast and diverse population that mostly doesn’t have money or the means to solve their problems, so they must rely on whatever they got.