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Afro-Brazilians are another major group with their own customs and fam- ily traditions. They are descendants from the some 4 million slaves brought to the country by the Portuguese during Brazil’s colonial period. As a com- munity, Afro-Brazilians are very outgoing, although many are poor. Many Afro-Brazilian couples choose not to get married, but instead live together in a practice known as amasiado . As in many cultures, Brazilians have a hard time separating their private and personal relationships. As a result, nepotism—the display of favoritism by someone in power to relatives and friends—is encouraged. It is a way to hire workers a person knows and trusts, even though the practice is often criticized as a way of limiting power to a select group of people In fact, in 2000, legisla- tion to curb the practice among politicians was defeated, despite the fact that nepotism often leads to corruption. Connections among people are indeed important in the country. Brazilians are for the most part outgoing and relate to one another based on their friend- ships, kinships, and even by their neighborhood ties. Along with family values and social connections, friendships are highly prized. Brazilians often kiss the cheeks of their friends when they first meet, although men mostly shake hands, a sign of machismo, or masculinity. In some places, the kisses come in bunches, one on one cheek, two on the other. Friends often greet one other with a little kiss called the beijinho , or with an abraco , or

hug. It is important to have friends in Brazil, mainly because if you want to get something done, it’s all about who you know.

A woman in traditional dress in the historic district of Pelourinho in the city of Salvador, Bahia.

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MAJOR NATIONS IN A GLOBAL WORLD: BRAZIL