"Saudade do Brasil" a Brazil Travel Page by scarm

This is a beach called Camboinhas, located near Niteroi, across the bay from Rio de Janeiro

Brasil has a complex relationship with religion, as the historic loyalties with the Catholic church have been challenged by the fast lifestyles in the big cities, and the proliferation of new religious orders.

Do not let the scenery fool you. This is a complex society, with unwritten rules that all of the citizens know. The Brazilians are resilient and they have proven that they can survive almost any obstiicle. In the last half of the 20th century they went through a military dictatorship, hyperinflation, and many other societal hardships, they always seem to find a way to cope.

Facts about Brasil and interesting cultural contrasts between Brazil and the so called First World

1. Brasilians speak Portuguêse, not Spanish. See my discussion under Local Customs on this page.

2. In Brasil, in voting is almost universal, as it required. Consequences for not voting are grave.

3. Brasilian elections are computerized, and results are immediate. Remember Florida?

4. In Brazil, it is illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving. Sounds great, as I have seen one two many weaving and careless drivers under the influence of a cell phone.

5. it is illegal to run out of gas in Brasil. If you do so in a place where you would create a hazard, you would be subject to a citation and fine. In my opinion, this is a very good law, since it is usually always preventable, and it does present a real driving hazard.

6. Brasil has a great cell phone service, and you only have to pay if YOU place the call. In the USA you have to pay even if you receive a call.

7. Even the poorest Brasilians would not think of eating a sandwiich with bare hands. This would seem unclean and uncouth. They use a paper napkin to touch the bread.

8. Pizza is eaten with knife and fork. I bought Pizza for a crew of construction workers once, and they refused to pick up the pieces, insistiing on utensils and plates.

9. Brasilians eat Pizza with Mustard and Ketchup. Most Brasilians do not put ketchup on french fries (McDonalds has done a lot to help change this).

10. Brasilians are appalled at the Brit practice of wrapping french fries in newspaper. Newpaper is not used for food preparation.

11. Brasilians are very conscious of health issues regarding handling food and money. Even in the simplest of lanchonettes (snack bars) money is handled by a cashier. Brasilians are shoked by money-food handling practices of the so called First World.

12. Waiting tables is a serious profession. One can expect a very attentive waitstaff, which normally defers graciously to the client. Uncourteous waiters are not tolerated by the Brasilians and they will soon be without a job. Contrast this to the US, where most waiters are high school or college kids just trying to score a little cash. Compare to surly European waiters who act as if they are doing you a favor by checking on you now and then.

13. Brasilians do not pump their own gas, and handling fuels in general is thought to be an unhealthy practice. The government requires gas to be pumped by trained individuals. (creates jobs)

14. Non smoking areas are always available in restaurants, and smoking is prohibited in public buildings. Smoking laws are much more restrictive than in the so called First World countries in Europe. Brasilians shudder at the thought of smoking in an elevator, a common practice for many Europeans.

15. Many Brasilians consider gum chewing to be low class. Chewing gum in public is a disgrace. It would be in very poor taste to appear as an invited dinner guest with a wad of gum in your mouth.

16. Brasilians consider the big cities in Brasil to be dangerous. If you were to ask any Brasilian that did not live in São Paulo or Rio what he or she thought of those places, they would invariably state that these were dangerous places. Many are actually afraid to go to the big cities. (Hint-visit a smaller or non-touristic city in Brasil)

17. Now a word on the so called Third World of Brasilian Banking. In the banking world, it is well known that Brasilian banking systems are the world´s most advanced. Electronic Transfers between banks and businesses are done in greater number and in far greater frequency than in any other country in the world.