Lifestyle Brasileiro

This is not a deep analysis of the Brazilian lifestyle, but more like a general commentary.

Brazilians are happy and warm people. They are known for their hospitality and friendliness. They lead relaxed lives, although they do work hard. Contrary to popular belief, they do not go to the beach everyday, as portrayed in the media. Nonetheless, according to many polls, they describe themselves as happy, and are one of the happiest people on earth. A Brazilian’s main concern in life is family and friends. Making money, being successful in business, and owning material things is secondary. To quote many Brazilians: "I am poor, but happy." Personal relationships with other people ultimately determine the depth of human happiness. Brazilians are one of the most friendly and gregarious people in the world. Many Brazilians have contagious smiles without pretence or judgement.

Warm weather can equate to warm people. Most of Brazil is warm, beautiful, with palm trees, sun-drenched beaches, and seductive and exotic nature. Even people who are living in harsh cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro can be happy because they can escape their environment and go to the beach, where true Brazilian culture comes alive with Samba, Bossa Nova, Capoeira, partying, sun, bikinis, and a culture of the flesh.

Brazilian girls are not easy (well, the girls at Carnaval are an exception), but they are gorgeous. Brazilians are not very patriotic, and they like anything European or North American. They love Katy Perry. For example, instead of going to Manaus or Foz de Iguacu, they prefer going to Florida or New York, even if they’ve already been there. Some of the students I teach have already been to Disneyland three times, but they have barely travelled in Brazil. As many people here keep telling me, I know Brazil better than they do (I have been to 19 states).

Brazilians also tend to be late or not very organised, which can be problematic for me. All the flights and most of the bus trips I took were late. I have been late to work twice because of that. My boss is usually disorganised, and she picks on me for being organised. She says I should be more spontaneous, but the one time I took her advice resulted in me missing a day of work. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail, especially when it comes to travelling.

Well, that’s a general idea of what life is life here. Oh, one more thing. Brazilians LOVE dogs. If the American Dream includes having a dog, then the Brazilian Dream includes having three. I will leave the very interesting subject of their droppings for the next post.

I leave you with this picture called Brazilianism

 

 Also, check out this 1942 Disney cartoon about Rio: