seating arrangements, at dining locations, are variable and take a number of formations - while most western rules apply in rio, such as having the oldest person as head of the table, there is one notable difference that applies mostly to couples.

 visitors spending time in rio de janeiro can notice couples, and even close friends, sitting side by side in restaurants versus across the table from each other.

exception made for some restaurants in the most internationally visited parts of the city such as the zona sul and the beach areas, this is almost always the case - couples sitting down for a meal, regardless of the type of restaurant, typically seat side-by-side.