The+Unexpected

Though most travelers spend a great amount of time preparing for their trip to Brazil, you should still expect that certain aspects of Brazilian culture will be quite different than what is familiar. During our trip, we observed several circumstances/random facts that are very different from American customs.


 * When dining out, it is customary for the waitress/waiter to include a ten percent tip on the bill with the final total. It is uncommon for customers to tip above this amount, and can even be considered rude to some employees. Therefore, when eating at a restaurant, make certain if the tip is included with the check before payment.


 * A common condiment that Brazilians like to apply to bread/crackers/etc. is liquid sweetener. This is a clear sugary substance that can sweeten up any food. The only problem with the stuff is that it looks exactly like hand sanitizer, which one of our colleagues found out the hard way.


 * Paying for cover and drinks in Rio is quite different than in the US. When you arrive at the door, the bouncer will ask for your name. He will then hand you a paper card with a list of drinks on it and a price (the cover). As you order drinks the bartender or waitress will cross off what you order on the card. As long as you spend in alcohol what the cover charge is, you don't really pay cover. The price on the car is just to make sure that if you ordered no drinks that you would still pay something. At the end of the night take your card to the cashier and pay. All bars and night clubs operate this way.


 * It is no secret that Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paolo, and other major cities of Brazil are known for their vibrant nightlife scenes. However, there is also a significant prostitution segment of the Brazilian nightlife culture, whereas the crime is not strictly enforced and there is not much of a social stigma attached to it. Not only is this unexpected, but transvestites make up a prominent demographic of the nightlife crowd as well. Therefore, when talking to a local at a bar or club, be aware that there is a chance that this person could be a prostitute, or even a transvestite.


 * In Rio de Janeiro, there are bars at almost every corner. This comes as no surprise, as the city is known for its fun people. What did surprise me was the crazy hours which I would observe people at these bars. One Sunday morning at around 8 AM i walked past a sidewalk bar filled with people drinking. Also, sometimes when I would come home late at night, even 5 AM, there would be people at the sidewalk bars.


 * Breastfeeding is a common practice globally, and many think that it is a beautiful, necessary practice between a mother and her baby. I agree, however in America it is not quite as prominent in public places. It was quite unexpected when we first drove to our places from the airport and there was a giant billboard with a breast on it advocating for the benefits of breastfeeding (or so I believe). Also, some Americans would think it was quite awkward when I would be sitting on the couch with my house-mother and she would begin to breastfeed her babies.