when meeting someone for the first time, whether it is a friendly dinner gathering or a more intimate first date, there are guidelines for everyone to keep in mind - the most important thing to remember is to make a good first impression, a truth that may be universal when it comes to meeting someone for the first time.

making a good first impression normally translates to a neat and clean appearance, above all else - a good haircut and clean-shaven looks are the trend of the moment.

while the idea that rio is purely a beach-town, and especially laid back, in reality in rio it is important to maintain an appropriate and thoughtful sense of fashion for any situation, and generally it is safer to overdress than accidentally give an impression of messiness - cariocas are especially mindful of dressing appropriately on first meetings since this formality is ingrained in their society.