Brazilian taboos about business

Taboo is a word that means something that you can`t do or you should be aware. Each country and culture have your own taboos and superstition. People Believe that some actions can attract bad lucky or have some influence in the future, in the business world is not different. In Brazil, many business man are careful with some things, so you have to pay attention when you do some business there. The most common taboos in Brazil include date, presentation and gestures.

Brazil has a cultural tradition about holidays, it is the country that have more religious holidays in the world, 30 % of our year is holidays and weekends. Each city and State has their own holidays when any company is working. Brazilian businessmen don’t make any contract or business during that days off, even in dates that are supposed to attract bad luck like 13^th Friday, many people don’t like to negotiate. It is more than one taboo, nowadays it is a Brazilian tradition.

Around the world, each country has different ways speaking and dressing for a business date. Brazilian companies are very strict with how their employees speak and dress to make a good impression for their future business partnerships. First, employees have usually to speak at least two languages and be aware to speak with slangs. A formal language have to be used when they are making a contract. In addiction, is very important which kind of clothing they are dressing. Same way of speaking, a formal clothing have to be used in business date. To make a good impression is a big part of a business, the way of your speaking and dressing is very important for a successful business.

All in all, to know about the business partners culture and traditions are very important before you negotiate with them. Many gestures have different meanings in some cultures, so you have to pay attention when you use them. Positive hand signals can be offensive in other cultures. For example ``OK`` in Brazil is considered an offensive signal while here in USA is a positive. However, to learn about your partner culture is very important to don’t make mistakes in your business.

To summarize, Brazil is not a really strict country like Germany or Japan. Our culture is sometimes relaxed and happy, but you must pay attention when you are doing some business because we have some rules that can make your business be successful or unsuccessful. Thus, you can learn a little bit of Brazilian culture before to try negotiate with us. 

The scariest house in USA

This week I am going to write about a big holyday in the United State, this summary is based in a BBC video from YouTube that explain how the scariest house in the US works. First, Halloween is a holiday celebrated on the night of October 31. Traditional activities include trick-or-treating, bonfires, costume parties, and visiting "haunted houses". It starts from the ancient Celtic holiday of Samhain, modern Halloween has become less about literal ghosts and ghouls and more about costumes and candy. The Celts used the day to mark the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, and also believed that this transition between the seasons was a bridge to the world of the dead. However, some places are specialist in make your Halloween really scary, they use tricks with your imagination and many costumes to make your believe that it is real. In this video the journalist shows the biggest scary house in US and the routine of its employees, now a days many people make money just working like actors in this place, it is not a hobby anymore, because now they can make a carrier and support yourself. Finally, the journalist showed how the actors make and dress up to make their performance, and their tricks to scary people inside the house. It require some train and spend some time to looks real. Thus, this video shows how the Halloween is a strong holyday in US. Before I come here I have never imagined something like that. It a good way to understand a little bit more about American culture.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzy4GOaMgOE&list=UU16niRr50-MSBwiO3YDb3RA

Endangered animals

Environment are being affected with our actions each day. Humans have been affecting nature system. There are many ways to hurt the environment such as destruction of our forests, and the illegal catch of endangered animals.

In Brazil a big problem is the destruction of our forests to get wood and new areas to plant. When this happen everyone loose something, medicine areas because many endangered species of plants are now extinct and they could have some kind of medicine to be used in new kinds of diseases. In addition, it stole houses of endangered animals. It change the environment and maybe in few years our kids don`t know some species of animals that we have nowadays for example the black rhino. It can be stopped if people start to worry about it now, because it is a general problem and not only a government have to look for this crimes.

The illegal catch of endangered animals is a big problem nowadays. These animals many times don’t have a chance to reproduce and generate new species, so as much they are captured as much they disappear. This actions have changed the nature habitat and the meal chain, when one animal is captured and retired of your specific habitat, other animals who eat the first have to change theirs meal and find other animals, sometimes they don`t and many of them die without food. However we have to combat these actions and teach our kids that we need our environment healthy to grow our society.

Our role like humans is protect our animals and environment, but it is never easy. We have to start to teach our kids and teenagers that environment is important. It will spend some time but is the better way to make a better future. So, our children will know the same species that we have now and enjoy all your beauty. All in all, each one has to participate to change our actions and look for makes a better world.

To Summarize, Environment is changing each day, many times because humans are affecting it. Our animals are disappearing every time we interfere negatively. To make a better world for our kids and keep our animals safe we have to work together and start immediately.

Brazil Ex-Billionaire on Trial for Insider Trading

One of the biggest problem in Brazil is corruption. Every year we watch more and more cases about politics and rich people that use the Brazilian poor system to get advantage in their business like privileged information in the economical market. In 5 years we discovered many cases of corruption in our government and now many politics are at jail, but it is difficult when the criminal is a really rich people because they can buy all the judges and laws people involved. These people are cheaters and doesn`t care about our country. Eike Batista, one of seven children, was born in the state of Minas Gerais, in southeastern Brazil. His mother was German and his father, Eliezer Batista da Silva, was a prominent Brazilian businessman who served as the country’s minister of mines and energy in the 1960s. After making millions of dollars in mining ventures during the 1980s, Batista expanded his business over the following two decades.  In 2008 Forbes magazine added Batista to its annual list of billionaires, and by 2010 he had climbed the list to become one of the 10 wealthiest people in the world. His personal fortune has been decimated by the spectacular decline in his companies’ stock prices, going from $30 billion to less than $1 billion. Now he is being investigated by many corruption cases in his companies and a, he is waiting for justice decision at this time. He said he is innocent but actually I cant believe in his words

Are plants an alternative to modern medicine? Why do you think yes or no.

Plants are used how medicine a long time ago. Each history book shows some kind of tea or extract that some country or nation used during the world`s timeline. Nowadays we still using this kind of medicine to treat our diseases, we can talk more about some kind of specifically plants. First, Ginger is used since the past to treat some diseases, such as heart problems, blood pressure and cold. Many of Asian cultures use ginger to cook, it is an important ingredient for them. Actually in my family my grandmother always have used ginger to help us when we are sick. Other important plant for us is the garlic, sometimes disliked for many people because it have a really strong smell. The garlic was used in the oldest civilizations to prevent colds, fight infections and blood pressure treatment but nowadays there are many reasons to use garlic, for example some doctor believe that garlic can help in the cancer treatment. In my sport, bodybuilding, we have to eat a lot of garlic because it increases our levels of testosterone and helps us to building our muscles. Finally, we can talk about herbs. Everyone knows that there are a lot of medicinal herbs with great uses in our lives like tea. People drink lots of tea each day, even the Asian cultures have a very traditional habit to drink tea after their meals. Many kinds of tea are used for different reasons such as black tea used to treat headaches and green tea that is recommended for kidney treatment. When I was a kid my grandmother always gave me chamomile tea in order to makes me calm, it is good for nervous treatment. However, Plants were and still are used for each person, our medicines are made and discovered from them, so they are very important f

Brazil Police Capture New Zealand Fugitive Killer

Security is a complicate subject in Brazil, when we start to talk about our police, probably, we will talk about corruption, violence and sometimes abuse of power. Many people don`t believe that our police can protect us or keep the order in dangerous situation, but this week the Brazilian police showed everyone that there are good policemen yet and our system can work is each one helps them. Phillip John Smith, A convicted child molester and murderer from New Zealand, He crept into the family's home during the night and stood over the boy, before his father came rushing in to save him. Smith then killed the father after repeatedly stabbing him with a hunting knife. He managed to plan his escape and flee to Brazil. The Brazilian federal police caught him in a hostel in the bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. They discovered that Philip went first to Chile and after that flew to Brazil planning stay here because Brazil doesn`t have a formal deal about extradition with New Zealand. Now John Smith was arrested and would be kept in custody pending extradition. His lawyer said that he may be extradited soon because his passport was cancelled. The most important about it is how our police could investigate and work in this case to be successfully, all in all we have a long way to makes our country better and safer but I think it was an important step to do it.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/brazil-police-capture-zealand-fugitive-killer-26874541

My home

Many people think a house how a building where they can be safe or just a place to sleep, but a house is more than a roof over four walls, when this place mean more than just a safe area its meaning must to be our home. The first concept that makes a house your home is about feelings. Home is a place that you can call refuge. For example when I have some school or work problem I always came back home just to go my bed and to think, my soft and comfortable bed makes me feel better in few moments. My home is calm and always welcome me. On the other hand, your home can bring back memories about really good times in the past. When I smell my home there are some characteristic fragrancies such as a fresh mint smell of my father scotch, so I can remember my father at his brown wood bar preparing some drink or a sweet soft smell of my mother`s food. If I find some similar smell in other part of the world I will remember my home. Finally, a home means family. In my conception, each place can became a home if my family stay with me there. The most important thing that makes a house your home is know the real meaning of be happy in one place, for me just my family can makes me happy at every place. When I came to USA I realize that here is not my home, now I live here and spend my time here but I know that my real home is waiting for me when I come back. However each place can become your home such as house, school, gym even your best friend house, you just need feel the real meaning of home there. 

Rio 2016 medals to contain recycled metal

Next year, Brazil will receive the most important event of sports in the world, the Olympic games. This event had born at Greece in VIII B.C, but just in 1894 it turned an official event with rules and a especial staff. However, nowadays the Olympic games movement a lot of money and makes a whole country work together to do everything perfectly. Last week Brazil noticed a break through in its games. The medals, the most important Game`s symbols will be manufactured with a special reused materials like old pieces of computers and electronic trash. The medals will be developed by designers at the Brazilian Mint, which was established in 1694. Made of gold, silver and bronze, the award medals will also include metal derived from items ranging from household appliances, like fridges and microwaves, to IT equipment, such as personal computers and mobile telephones, illustrating Rio 2016's commitment to sustainability, officials claimed. Each medal will be made of a different kind of material and work. When they will be produced, they will have different weights and spend much time , for example the gold and silver medals weigh 412 g, while the bronze weighs 357g. They were the biggest and heaviest Olympic and Paralympic Games medals ever made, being 85 millimeters in diameter and ranging in thickness from eight to 10mm. The biggest benefit about all this work is to prove how we can use our technology and our minds to improve important and traditional things like The Olympics

http://www.brazilnews.net/index.php/sid/227294887

E-Factor

The e-factor can do a big difference in your behavior. First, we can realize that e-factor is not a characteristic of young people. Now a days many younger people have a lot of pressure about school, work and even parents. Many times they can be very strict and pessimist about important things or goals like to get a great score at the school. On the other hand, Many elderly are optimist and can give for you a really great talk or advises about how you can be a enthusiastic person. However, the e-factor can bring a cultural influence. In Brazil, is very common people smile and be optimist every time. Some countries are very different, for example Korea, where people tends to be more close and strict. All in all, you can became a enthusiastic person even you born in Korea. Finally, you can become a enthusiastic person if you want. In the past I was very strict, probably very pessimist too, but now is different. Many good things happened in my live like when I went to USA to study at ASU. Nowadays I try each day to be more optimist, at this way I can make good relationships and enjoy my time here. Thus,  e-factor is a really important thing that makes you more sociable and turn your behavior for something that everyone like.

Brazilian Election Score

After really disputed months of election, last Sunday Brazilian people knew their “new” president.

During five months five candidates tried to become who will make the most important decisions and laws in Brazil. First, all work began with several debates that showed who is more prepared for this work. Two Months ago we had the first round of our election, when two candidates had the majority of all votes, they were Aecio Neves, a famous economist who has a long family history at politics, at this time he was supported by Marina Silva, a environmentalist that lose in the first round, on the other hand was Dilma Rouseff, actual Brazilian president who was supported by Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the last president of Brazil before Dilma. The elections was totally tied at the last research. In the las Sunday all Brazilian people was present to choose their new president. Until Sunday noon, many news showed Aecio Neves how the probably winner at this election, many votes had been counted and many of the most important sections of vote was showing great results for Aecio Neves, but when the afternoon came, Dilma Roussef started a really surprising ride to victory, the numbers was tied at de evening beginning and at the end all the votes was counted, finally the news showed Dilma Rouseff the winner with 51% of all votes and Aecio neves with 49%. There were many protests in Brazil last year but they couldn`t change their president, now they will receive 4 years of the same government that they protest last year, I just hope that these people learn with the past and try make a better future for us.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/brazil/11189331/Mudslinging-dominates-final-moments-of-Brazil-election.html

Why is learning English difficult for you

Nowadays a knowledge about English is essential for everyone, don’t matter what is your native country. The most important thing when we want to learn a language is keep focused, English is not different. When we were learning our first language, we spend a lot of time practicing, talking and of course making mistakes. It is all we need now with a new language, to really learn English we should lose our qualms and just focus to improve our skills as much as we can. A big trouble with exchange students is that just few classes per day is enough, but actually what you do after classes at home or with their friends will be essential to keep their brain focused and learning, that why homework and conversation groups are so important in English programs.  English has a lot of similar songs and many times who are speaking is faster than we can understand. When I arrived in United States my main problem with English was to understand native speakers when I asked someone an information. To resolve this problem I have tried improve my vocabulary talking with native speakers and listening skills watching the news because all presenters talk really fast in this kind of program. However, we have to train every day our listening and speaking, on this way we can improve even our relationships with new friends. All in All, I think the most difficult when we are learning English is grammar and also how can we spell some words. The first thing we do when we try to write a paragraph in English is a comparison with our first language. Sometimes there are many similar words with the same meaning, but we can make a lot of mistakes because some words have almost the same spelling and meanings totally different, for example the word “data” in Portuguese means schedule but in English “data” have a different meaning. To summarize, is very important pay attention about English rules and vocabulary, they can help us to organize our mind and make our work easier. Thus, English is a very important language and must to be respected like a international business and science language, that why There are many exchange students here in the United States just to learn about it.

Summarize - Brazilian Presidential Elections

This month is occurred the Presidential election in Brazil. Now, just to candidates are ready to compete becoming the new president. Our actual president Dilma Roussef is trying reelection versus the opposition candidate called Aecio Neves, who has a family history at politics. In the first phase of election Dilma Roussef had more votes from Brazilian people, all in all she didn’t have enough votes to win in this phase. Now all changed because last week Aecio Neves made a partnership with a third candidate, Marina Silva, a Environmentalist who had a great part of votes in the first phase of elections, transfers her votes for Aecio Neves and promised to endorse him at this new phase. She hopes if Aecio Neves wins this elections Brazil can open its business and boost its growth in important areas, for example exportation and technology. At the first phase of elections, Marina had 21% of total votes, since her lose she was supporting Aecio Neves. It is working very well, after her declarations about the Aecio`s way to govern and showing his statics about growing at Belo Horizonte, state that Aecio ruled before elections, His numbers have jumped each day and now the competition is relative tied. Aecio Neves has 51% of Total votes while Dilma Roussef has 49%. In fact, its will be done next Sunday October 26, and we will have more four year to get results and ask about our country problems. Now we just hope that the new president can help the Brazilian people and makes our country a best place to live.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/brazil/11158034/Marina-Silva-endorses-Aecio-Neves-against-Dilma-Rousseff-in-Brazilian-presidential-election.html

Introduction

My name is Jose Carlos, I born in Brazil and arrived in USA at two months ago. My parents and sister stayed in Brazil, actually i`m a exchange student ASU because I think that is a great way to improve my English while I can make good friends. My hobbies include workout and to know new places, I am very talkative and active. In Brazil my major was Chemical Engineering and I hope to proceed with it here at ASU after finish my English course.