Talking on the Phone
You might have guessed that talking on the phone in your second language is actually harder than it appears. Since you cannot rely on visual cues, such as hand gestures, facial expressions, or lip movements, it is a lot more complicated to decode what people are saying on the other line. So don't be discouraged; just keep on trying and ask for a lot of repetition. A common telephone dialogue would go as follows:
Most people who live in big cities in Brazil have a traditional landline, but the sale of cell phones has increased tremendously in Brazil and Latin America as a whole. Part of the reason is that telephone lines are very expensive, and it takes a long time (sometimes months) to have a line bought through the official channels. Some people buy landlines from other people who have them and advertise their sale in the newspaper. After they buy the line privately, they have their names transferred and installation happens rather quickly. However, the advantages and ease of buying a cell phone, especially a prepaid one, have generated a virtual boom in wireless telephony in Brazil.
When taking your cell phone with you to Brazil, make sure it is compatible. Some popular U.S. carriers do not carry telephones that are usable in Latin America. Always check with your wireless service to verify if your cell phone will work in Brazil or, if possible, add international service to your plan before traveling.
Even though using a telephone is a convenient way to talk, most Brazilians still prefer face-to-face communication. So don't be surprised if people say very little on the phone and arrange to meet with you right away. It's just another cultural difference that underscores Brazilians' love of the
