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How To Blend In Like A Local In Brazil
n The Road Travel's every other person at least
cultural cheatsheet for twice. Once it's over, don't try
Brazil gives you the inside to leave in a rush, as the ritual
scoop on the ins and outs of the is repeated to conclude a
local culture: gathering as well. You'll also
notice that Cariocas like to
Expressions touch, hug and pat each other on
the shoulder quite
Greetings often-including the men. This is
the world famous Carioca human
Cariocas are very kind people. warmth in action.
They'll normally greet you first
or they'll pleasantly respond to Other common greetings you'll
your greeting. If they're meeting hear are "e ai, como vai?"
you for the first time, they'll ("...and how are things?"),
shake your hand firmly and say "Fala!" ("Speak!") or "tudo bem"
"prazer" (pleasure), followed by ("everything okay?").
their name.
‘Valeu’
If the person you're meeting is a
woman, do expect to be kissed on Literally translates to "It was
both cheeks. If you're in a city worth it". It is generally used
other than Rio, it is common to when thanking someone, and is
exchange a third kiss (on the generally used by the younger
cheek, of course), for good luck, generation. A common example of
though this is beginning to when to use this word is when a
change (unfortunately). The vendor on the beach is trying to
initiation of a group gathering sell you something, and you're
can be quite a lengthy process as not interested. A polite, "não
each person is expected to kiss obrigado" and "valeu", lets the
seller know that you're not in most countries of the world.
interested.
Culture
'Gringo'
Women
This is how Cariocas will refer
to you, a foreigner, whether they Like many other Latin-American
you or not, either to your face countries, Brazil is a 'manly'
or behind your back. It's not country, but don't let that
meant in a derogatory way but deceive you! Brazilian women are
rather as a form of known to be very strong and
identification (especially if demanding and not easily pushed
they don't know your name or around! Beauty is a common
can't pronounce it). attribute to a Carioca woman, and
she won't mind if you look at her
Portuguese as she passes by, and sometimes
even whistle or whisper a
Although known for having comment. But don't get carried
perfected the Portuguese away, they will bite back!
language, Rio is also a Another common attribute is
slang-factory. You won't notice possessiveness. This applies to
the seasons changing, but slang either sex, who won't tolerate
expressions come and go quite you looking at "their property",
often. When at work, the Carioca so always be careful and try to
forces himself to use the notice if their patroa or patrão
language correctly, but when off (boss, as they call their
duty, Cariocas like to let their companions) is around.
tongue loose, as they say. When
drinking, it is common to hear a Men
lot of swearing, which is normal
As with many Latin-American friends aren't immune. If you
cultures, the men can be invite people for dinner, don't
surprisingly forward, depending expect to see anyone for at least
on where you have come from. It two hours after the specified
may be shocking at first to have time. That's just the way it
someone blatantly stare at you or goes.
make comments as they pass by.
This is not meant to be Tipping
offensive, but is actually just
an expression of appreciation. Tips at restaurants and bars are
There is no need to be rude, but typically included in the tab and
also no need to pursue them. It amount to 10%. Sometimes the tab
is fine to simply continue on will indicate 'serviço não
with what you were doing. If you incluso' which means that tips
find that the line has been have not been included and you
crossed, and you are truly should leave a 10% tip for your
uncomfortable, pop in to a nearby server. Taxis fares are typically
store or café and take refuge for rounded up to the nearest Real,
a few minutes. but no formal tip is required.
Promptness Soccer fans
If you are the type of person who A Carioca isn't a true Carioca if
needs to keep to a schedule, Rio he or she doesn't cheer
is not the place for you. fanatically for a team. There are
Virtually no event starts on 4 main soccer teams in Rio. The
time. No service personnel will most popular team in Rio is
ever see the fault in making you Flamengo, wearing red and black
wait while they finish up colors. Flamengo is adored by all
gossiping on the phone. Even your classes, and hated by the other 3
teams. A "clássico" (extremely meat. Farofa – a flour-like
important game) is played between substsance - gives the plate a
Flamengo and Fluminense, also thick texture, similar to poured
called "FlaFlu". You'll see concrete, perfect for those who
people drinking and cheering at plan to stuff their stomachs.
bars, restaurants and streets
when a FlaFlu is on. Fluminense Up north, where refrigerators
is one of the oldest teams in were traditionally less common,
Brazil, and is said to be cheered meat was salted and dried in the
for by upper-class people, as equatorial sun, making the
Flamengo is predominantly of the transformation into the famous
lower classes. Vascaínos, as the carne seca -- salty, a little
Vasco crowd is called, is another tough on the texture, but
legion of great soccer admirers delicious with some farofa, fried
and Flamengo haters. Botafogo is manioc and, of course, something
the fourth largest team in Rio, to drink (preferably a
mostly made famous by its soccer caipirinha).
genius Garrincha (better than
Maradona, many Brazilians will Down south is where the European
say). immigrants arrived with their
carnivorous appetites. They must
Food & Drink have gone nuts when they
discovered the cows breeding like
Brazil is a continental country bunnies in the vast “pampas”. The
with an enormous variety of famous churrascos that you see in
dishes, all sharing one thing in Rio and São Paulo (and now
common: the amount. A Brazilian internationally), originated from
plate is a always a big plate. the south, where it is said the
Some of the common ingredients in best “churrasqueiros”
all regions are rice, beans and (barbecuers) in the world reside.
purple berry grown in the
It would be cruel not to mention northern states (primarily Pará),
the food from Minas Gerais, which added with Brazilian’s unique
has maintained its integrity guaraná extract, and packed with
throughout the years. Beans energy (not to mention a great
cooked in clay pots over a treat when served with granola!).
wood-fed stove, served with soft Be warned – this invigorating
rice and meat (either chicken or snack has approximately the same
beef), is the typical “mineiro” amount of calories as an entire
meal. meal.
Bahia's most famous snack is the Another great mid-morning or
Acarajé. This fried biscuit made afternoon snack is the Pao de
of beans is often stuffed with Quejo – cheese bread originated
shrimps, tomato and okra paste. from Minas Gerais’ grandmothers –
The moqueca is another dish not which is a sumptuous
to be missed. This rich stew is donut-hole-looking snack that
made with fresh fish or seafood, melts in your mouth.
coconut milk, spicy peppers and
dendê palm oil, which can wreak Feijoada
havoc on a tourist’s stomach.
A long time ago, in the era of
On nearly every street block in slavery, the rich would eat the
Ipanema you will find sucos, best of what was harvested. The
which are the original Jamba slaves were given what was left
Juices. These are fresh fruit over, including pig’s tails,
shakes featuring all of Brazil’s feet, nose and ears, cow tails
exotic fruits (passionfruit, and tongues, etc. Famous for
mango, guava… hungry yet?). Be making the best out of the worst
sure to try out Açai – a little situations, these slaves learned
to cook the leftover meat with composed with a good dose of
beans, creating feijoada. cachaça (a Brazilian liquor),
freshly squeezed limes and sugar.
Beer Some adaptations resulted in the
"caipiroska" - substituting vodka
Beer in Rio is also called for cachaça. As the drink became
"gelada" (cold one), "gelo" more popular, bartenders started
(ice), "cerva" (short for to change some of its ingredients
cerveja) or "loirinha" (blondie). for experimentation, often
Whatever the name, the key is substituting passion fruit,
that it should be frosty and cold orange, strawberries, kiwi, mango
when it hits your mouth. Before or other typically Brazilian
they can even talk, most Cariocas fruits like jabuticaba and
are taught the all-important acerola in place of lemon or
"beer-brand-list". This means lime. These equally delicious
that if you're going for draft "caipifruitas” can be ordered at
beer, choose Brahma, for canned most bars and are refreshing on
beer, choose either Skol or those especially hot days.
Antarctica, and if you're going
for a bottled beer (a Carioca's Coffee
favorite), definitely strive for
Skol. Stick to this rule and If you prefer your coffee 'au
you'll fit right in. natural' be sure to ask for it
'sem (pronounced "seng") açucar',
Local drinks otherwise it will come loaded
with sugar. Most restaurants
Start by ordering the world serve traditional Brazilian
famous caipirinha, which loosely coffee (very small cups of strong
translated means the little, coffee) for free after a meal;
short redneck. The drink is however espressos and other
coffees will be added to your dessert, so if that is when you
bill. It is not customary in want it, make sure the waiter
Brazil to drink coffee with the understands.
About the Author:
Jen Hamilton is the founder of On The Road Travel, http://www.ontheroadtravel.com , an online travel guide for culturally-focused independent travelers. On The Road Travel's local editors provide up-to-date advice and travel recommendations you can trust.
Read more articles by: Jen Hamilton
Article Source: www.iSnare.com |
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