Brazil

If you find yourself waiting in a random line here, and you wish to blend in with the locals, do make a random comment on the situation (ie, the long wait or the slowness of the employees) while not specifically looking at the person next to you. At the local supermarket and bakery, this happens often. When a comment is said in my general direction, my responses vary. Sometimes I return with a small comment of my own (or at least a nod) while other times I basically ignore the person. Of course, there are times you actually converse but it happens less often.

US

In the States, I find random comments to happen less often. People generally talk on their cell phones or to other people they are in the line with (friends, family). More and more often, no one talks at all since they are looking down at their smartphone.

Brazil

It seems that whenever there’s a soccer game on TV, the sound eminating from nearby apartments and houses is like that which might come from such a scene as one can see in the picture above. This is followed by the shooting off of fireworks, post-game, and the next day, by the wearing of the jersey of the team you support and “playful” street corner discussions on whose team is better. I find that one need not tune in to the actual game since every play by play is screamed from every direction.

US

In the States, sports enthusiasts generally get “rowdy” during Finals Week (NBA) or the Superbowl (NFL) which are the culminations of sporting seasons. By rowdy, I mean they might shout at the TV once in a while during a game.

Brazil

Doormen (porteiros) are omnipresent in urban Brazil. Everyone and their momma has one. I liken it to how some people like to close the door to their bedroom at night because they feel safer. Doormen are kind of like that. Depending on your place of residence, your doorman might be suited up or dressed down. Where I live, one of the porteiros is also a handyman (and in case they aren’t, they surely know someone who is).

As of 3 years ago, there were 414,000 porteiros in Brazil and June 9th has even been declared Doorman Day. Two side notes, I’ve never seen a doorwoman and I’m not sure if not hiring a woman for the job is illegal in Brazil. Also, I’ve never seen an armed doorman.

US

Generally, doormen are called security guards in the States and having one (or many) usually means you live in a rich area/place. One needs a Guard Card to apply for such a job and being armed requires further training and licensing. Depending on where one lives, the guards might ‘moonlight’ as concierges as well.

(Credit)

Brazil

The picture above (though from Mexico) is likely what one will notice quite frequently when living in Brazil. Many businesses offer free delivery of their products, be it bags of cement from a supply store or local produce from the corner. There’s no awkward silence or wait where the delivery person anticipates a tip. It’s simple, quick and free.

If ordering food from a restaurant, there are sometimes taxes for delivery added to the total bill which is then usually given to the driver…um, I mean, motorcyclist (as is the case when restaurant food is ordered). If no delivery tax, then a small tip, while not expected, is probably appreciated.

US

Any kind of delivery is either paid up front with the total bill or tipped upon collection. Free deliveries usually only take place upon promotional sales.

Brazil

The common One way to wash your clothes here is to use a laundry sink with a washboard and wash everything piece by piece. Where drying is concerned, a basic indoor clothes line is used (usually located in a small laundry room). Washing machines are available for purchase but the majority don’t buy them and almost everyone has one (see comments). Dryers seem non-existant. In terms of underwear, everyone must do their own and when a washing machine is available, underwear generally doesn’t go in with the rest of the clothes.

Quite possible other methods or variations are utilized but in general this is how it is.

US

It is very hard to find a house or apt that doesn’t have (or does not include access to) a washing machine and dryer. One would be hard-pressed to find clothes lines.

Most likely obvious to most people, but…

Brazil

When women go to the gym in Brazil, they go to get “thick” (for lack of a better word). What matters here, as far as a woman’s body image, are big thighs and a big butt. Skinny women are sometimes thought to be “feeling sick”, as in, “she must be losing weight because she’s ill”.

US

Women pretty much only go to the gym in the US in order to get skinny or keep their skinny body.

Fellow blogger Rachel’s view on the same subject.

As a new section for the site, I am going to write brief entries called Lessons from Brazil (since I have been living in Rio for one month now). In these entries, I will write about differences between the US and Brazil. Here goes…

Brazil

Walking on the grass is not looked upon in a positive light. The instances where grass is stepped on include when uneducated people do it, when those who just need to traverse a small grassy area quickly do it and sometimes when people wish to have a picnic. Outside of parks, grass is most common in people’s gardens and so not stepping in them is seen as common sense.

US

Aside from unknown people’s lawns, walking on the grass in the US is no big thing.