anyone attending a cocktail party should know the general guidelines most cariocas follow when participating in these events - the formality of the party, such as a high-end event organized by one's boss, versus a casual gathering between friends, affects the proper arrival time, and what clothes to wear.

arrival time depends on the style of the event - for high-end cocktails, punctuality is expected, with a little lateness as a standard, while when attending more casual cocktails parties, such as gatherings of close friends or families, cariocas tend to arrive 30 to 60 minutes late .

the dress code is designated by the host of the event, and individuals planning to attend the cocktail party should ask beforehand what the dress code is - attending in a too-formal attire might be viewed as trying to out-stage the host, while dressing too informally can be seen as an insult to the event.