Life in Brazil
Brazil has the largest population in South America and is the fifth most populous country in the world. The people are diverse in origin, and Brazil often boasts that the “new” race of Brazilians is a successful amolgam of African, European, and indigenous strains, a claim that is truer in the social than the political or economic realm. Portuguese is the official language and nearly universal; English is widely taught as a second language.
The ways in Brazil are much different than the United States; one being manners. Many Brazilians are shocked by our eating habits and table manners. One thing you do not do in Brazil is eat with your hands; you always use utensils for everything. You must remember to always wrap your food carefully with a napkin before picking it up. Food should always be shared, even if the amount of food is clearly not sufficient to share, the offer should be made and when offered something in Brazil, you should say “yes” or “please”. “Thank you” indicates a refusal, and “No, Thank you” is considered rudely blunt. You should always offer an excuse so that the offered is not offended. If invited to a Brazilian’s home, you will be expected to eat a lot of whatever is offered. Do not voice any displeasure at any of the food; acceptance of what is on the plate is tantamount to acceptance of host, country and company.
The body language in Brazil is not that much different. Brazilians are considered among other Latin Americans to be big “touchers”. Handshakes are often prolonged compared to American standards and it may be accompanied by an abraco. Greetings and leaving must be done comfortably and unflinchingly by the American so as not to confirm the stereotype that we are cold and distant, if you back away, you will hurt someone’s feelings. Brazilians stand very close while speaking and do not apologize for bumping or brushing against another person. They find our habit of constant apologizing in crowded situations very odd. As a matter of fact, there is no such things as lines in a public market, if the person who pushes to the front is the next to get served. While speaking, Brazilians maintain steady eye contact to a degree that most Americans would consider it a stare. The exceptions is when speaking to someone of a different age or status. The younger, or less powerful person generally looks away.
Sports in Brazil would be considered football, futeball, soccer which ever you care to call it and nobody does it like a Brazilian. There is no other sport besides soccer, it will remain the most popular and almost only major practiced sport in Brazil. The greatest soccer players have been Brazilians; the largest stadium in in Rio and the Brazilian fans are the most fanatical.
This is life in Brazil for the basic life, you can not forget the crime, poverty, different people, politics, etc. What has been listed is the things that you would have to get use to if you wanted to move and live in Brazil.