10 stereotypes about Brazil: truth or lies

As the 31st Olympic Games come to an end in the sunny and hot Rio de Janeiro, we suggest you check out how much you know about Brazil. And most importantly, whether it's true or not.

1. "Do you speak Brazilian, oh, sorry, Spanish?"

One of the most common stereotypes (which can be safely called a gross mistake) is the Spanish language spoken in Brazil. Of course, if you ask something in Spanish, you will probably understand, but you will be very offended, because the official language of the largest country in South America is Portuguese.

2. Carnival all year round!

Many people, hearing references to Brazil, imagine endless songs, dances and carnival feathers. Despite the fact that the inhabitants of this sunny country are really proud of their traditions, that same carnival takes place once a year, in February, and, incidentally, is a religious holiday. In a sense, the Brazilian carnival is like our carnival, it is held 40 days before Easter, that is, before fasting, during which Roman Catholics refrain from all bodily pleasures.

3. The jungle is everywhere, and people walk naked.

No one would argue that Brazil is hot. However, there are also possible frosts, for example in the high eastern massifs. The temperature, by the way, in such regions is no more than 16 degrees, so you can hardly see anyone in shorts there.

To imagine Brazil without the wet and fabulous jungles of the Amazon is silly, but do not forget, and about the “jungle” of urban, for example, São Paulo surpasses Moscow in size, and in places, even resembles New York.

4. Brazil has a high crime rate

Yeah. It's true. There are many rankings of the most dangerous countries in the world, and Brazil is very rarely deprived of attention in such lists, on the other hand, this year in one of these rankings you could find Russia. The problem is that there are disadvantaged areas in every corner of the world, there are just more in Brazil, and the residents of these places are more emotional.

Therefore, if you are a tourist and do not know Portuguese, then after 18:00 it is better not to walk around the streets alone, even in the center. Although even if you know the local language, it is best to spend the evening at home.

5. The capital of Brazil is Rio or São Paulo?

And then again, the capital of Brazil is Brasilia. It is the 4th largest city in the country. Many people think that the capital is Rio de Janeiro, and until 1960, this was true, but in 1957, by decree of the President, a project was launched to build a new city specifically for the capital.

6. Monkeys run everywhere.

Once I heard from a friend such a comparison: “monkeys in Brazil are like our sparrows – everywhere and everywhere”, and then, on one of the forums, I read that they are actually like squirrels, that is, you go to the park – you will find.

Yes, Brazil does hold the record for the number of primate species, but do not worry, a rabid macaque will not bite you, and you can not be afraid to be robbed by small “toys”, somewhere in the middle of the street in the center of Rio.

7. It's like a show.

How can we talk about Brazil without mentioning the soap opera Family Ties? You can’t say that the whole country lives according to one scenario, you will agree that in our TV series often come up with a lot of things. The fact that Brazilians are passionate, passionate and jealous cannot be denied. Like families, they are both big and very big. And the phrase “meet the sister of my husband’s great-aunt, Marie-Antoine” can be heard at any time.

8. Football as a religion

Shop between houses to buy water, you may not find immediately, but the football field is in every yard, on every street. My Spanish teacher, who has lived in Latin America for 15 years, said that work stops on two occasions: national holidays and football. Brazilians are very sensitive to this sport, and if you want to make friends in this hot country, then talk to them about football, and if you are not afraid of defeat, you can play.

9. In Brazil, everyone is always late.

This is also true, but the locals themselves do not call their late parishes “late”. The thing is, it's customary. If, for example, you are invited to a party at 19:00, you should not come before 20:00, and be sure to bring something to the table, such as wine.

10. Brazil is a poor country

Brazil gained independence from Portugal only in 1822, so the country is quite young. Of course, it may not be the most successful in the economy, but Brazil has been developing quite rapidly recently. The country is the largest sugar producer in the world and also has a leading position in the supply of coffee. By the way, the inflation rate in Brazil is lower than in Russia, and the unemployment rate is the same.

Stereotypes never arise from scratch, but some of them collapse, some are only confirmed. If you are ever going to visit Brazil, forget all the prejudices about it, this country you need to discover yourself.

Text by Katerina Belchikova