In the United States, when we hear "hispanic" or "latin american" we think of the Spanish language and countries such as Mexico, Porto Rico, Cuba and El Salvador.
Brazilians consider themselves as distinct from other latin societies as they consider the Americans to be. They pride themselves in being different from all other countries in the new world. Because their language, ethnic composition and history is very different from other latin countries, they consider themselves to be cousins and not brothers in the Latin American history and development.
While Brazil shares many common traits with Mexico, Columbia, Argentina and other latin countries, it is also unique in many ways, and is people have their own behavioral patterns not found in other countries, including the United States. These differences can astound Americans, or sometimes just hopefully cause quiet amusement.
One component of the Brazilian stereotypes is that the Brazilian is always late. Most Americans consider themselves punctual, especially in relation to other cultures. Americans like to concentrate on one thing at a time and so to schedule events individually, the time is organized into small units and they concern themselves with tight schedules and they are called "monochronics". Brazilians in other hand are recognized as "polychronics" because they are described as late arrivers, allowed greater flexibility in defining early and late, and the polychronic systems are characterized by several things happening at the same time. Working time can be intercalated with enjoyment, at least, the weather even does not present deep changes. Of course not all Brazilian are always late. Some are as punctual as the Americans. But Brazil is a tropical country, and time is always slower in the tropics, so we tell ourselves.
Most American prefer to do things by themselves if possible. Brazilian always ask favors of friends, especially of close friends, but also acquaintances. When one Brazilian refuses to do a favor to someone several possible answer can be said such as: - I have a test and I must study now, but if you do not find someone else, call me. Because the concern for human feelings and human relations makes the refusing of favors difficult, some Brazilians agree to do a favor even though circumstances make their performance of it impossible. In other hand Americans in this kind of situation say: - I would like to but... I can not. It is easier to say "NO" and so the person does not feel bad refusing of favor. These contrasting perceptions and values show clearly the differences between Americans and Brazilians.
These are things an American must learn if he lives in Brazil. The same is true for a Brazilian living in this country. In my opinion, a personal or family that moves to this country has to respect the local culture and has the responsibility to become a productive member of society. To do this, he or she must break down cultural and communication barriers and assimilate, to a certain degree, American culture.
This does not mean giving up your original culture or turning you back on your native country or language. It is adding to them and enriching them with American language and culture.