Ask a Brazilian

[caramba2654 602]

With the World Cup coming soon, I thought it would be nice to offer myself to answer any doubts or questions you might have about anything Brazil-related. I'll try to give you the best answer I can.

 

So, go ahead and ask me anything! You can ask about the World Cup, Brazil's, education system, Brazil's economy, language questions (if you're going to come to Brazil to watch a few games), etc... It's up to you!

[Espurr 449]

Do people speak Spanish and English there? Is it a great vacation place? Are there beachs? Are there a lot of bugs and snakes? Is it warm there in the summer? Is the amazon a national park?

[Inactive01 5,299]

I can ask youse about the World Cup?!

 

Tell me who you think is Brazil's key player (other than Neymar). :comeatus:

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

@,

 

Actually, Portuguese not Spanish.

 

And I'm guessing the rest is sarcasm.

Edited June 5, 2014 by RunsWithSquirlz

[Theshadowmaster235 70]

What is the most venomous snake in Brazil? What type of government does Brazil have? And for my last question are there any particularly deadly spiders in Brazil?

[LED Dasher 228]

I am aware that Brazil is one of the most diverse places in the world. Can you explain more about its diversity?

[Espurr 449]

@,

 

Actually, Portuguese not Spanish.

 

And I'm guessing the rest is sarcasm.

I can ask questions. No matter what.

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

@,

 

Of course you can. Anyone can. Thanks for reminding me. 

[caramba2654 602]

Do people speak Spanish and English there? Is it a great vacation place? Are there beachs? Are there a lot of bugs and snakes? Is it warm there in the summer? Is the amazon a national park?

 

Well, the official language is Portuguese, because Brazil was a Portugal colony. Yes, it's a great vacation place. The beaches are awesome and the summer is very warm and enjoyable.

 

There are bugs and snakes, but just in the Amazon forest. If you come to the Southeast part, you'll find none. And the Amazon is a forest, not a national park, although you can make a trail or go to Manaus, which is a city in the middle of the forest. It's quite important to Brazil due to its factory concentration.

 

 

 

What is the most venomous snake in Brazil? What type of government does Brazil have? And for my last question are there any particularly deadly spiders in Brazil?

 

Probably the "Jararaca", but I don't know for sure. I've never seen a snake in my life, thankfully. Would be weird to find one in a city like São Paulo...

 

The government in Brazil is quite... weird. At the current time, we have the Worker's Party. Lately, the population is getting really frustrated with the government, because of all the measures it's been taking along the years. But other than that it's just like the US government, with a few tweaks here and there.

 

Yes, there are deadly spiders in Brazil. Luckily, they're all in the Amazon forest. Considering that Brazil isn't just a forest, and that if you come here you'll mostly likely spend your time in a city, the chances of being bitten by a spider is almost zero.

 

I am aware that Brazil is one of the most diverse places in the world. Can you explain more about its diversity?

 

Sure! I'll start with a fun fact: the Brazilian passport is the most valuable one in the passport-faking market. That's because the people here in Brazil can look like any other people in the world, mostly because of the high income of many foreigners, all of which had different nationalities. Portuguese, Africans, Japanese, Chinese, Italians, Spanish, Germans, Dutch, etc... They all came here and started the process of miscegenation, which is the mixing of the races.

 

Nowadays, the diversity is more than just the racial aspect. It's everywhere. We have a high influence of the culture of other countries as well. Coke, Pepsi, McDonalds, etc... They dominate the market here. Japanese restaurants, slangs, music, electronic products, basically everything of every place.

 

And here everyone can be themselves. Of course there is homophobia, racism, sexism, etc... But in a much smaller scale. FIY We have the biggest Gay Pride parade of the world.

I can ask youse about the World Cup?!

 

Tell me who you think is Brazil's key player (other than Neymar). :comeatus:

 

Sure you can, although my knowledge on soccer is limited. I'm not really a sports guy. :/

 

Let's see... The thing is that every team has their highlights, and every player is special in their own way, so it's kinda hard to tell you about a key player (other than Neymar, obviously). Basically the whole Brazil team is good. I've hear that Fred is a really disputed player, though.

[Inactive01 5,299]

 

 

Fred is a really disputed player

 

Not too surprised. Fred's only played in the Russian League as of late (Zenit?) I was wondering if people have talked about Oscar or Willian... or if they talked about their colonizers Portugal...

[cuteycindyhoney 13,336]

What is your stand on Brazilian waxes?

(OUCHIE!)

[~Rule 63~ Lyeco 527]

Does the government really focus on the poverty the country is facing? Or they don't care?

Annnnndd, do you celebrate carnival?

[SparklingSwirls 21,577]

If I was going to take a trip to Brazil (which I might do someday) where would you recommend I go to? I know that Brasilia is the capital, but Sao Paulo is the largest city, I think...

[caramba2654 602]

I want to visit Brazil but the roads from Guyana to Brazil are in terrible condition, the ones from French Guiana to Brazil I heard are fine but the trip would be extra long, having to travel to Suriname and then to French Guiana.  Have you ever visited Guyana?  If you haven't then don't go, its terrible.

If I do have the chance to visit there, what are some locations that are very safe to stay and can do some shopping.

 

Well, São Paulo is Brazil's capital of tourism. It's relatively safe if you follow some simple common sense rules, and there are a lot of places to shop and eat. If you're looking for beaches, then the Northeast resorts are your choice. Ilhéus and Porto De Galinhas are two cities that I've stayed in, and I must say that I enjoyed them a lot. Rio is also a choice, but it's so-so. It still has beautiful beaches, though.

 

What is your stand on Brazilian waxes?

(OUCHIE!)

 

Erm... I've never waxed and I hope I never will. XD

 

Does the government really focus on the poverty the country is facing? Or they don't care?

Annnnndd, do you celebrate carnival?

 

Both things. They try to fix poverty, but at the same time, they're just doing it for the elections. The thing is that poverty is a really complicated issue here in Brazil, and it's causing quite a stir. It's not so simple to solve, and solving it would imply in many world-changing measures. IMO, the best fix for it is to invest in education, even though that's a long term solution. What the government does is offer poor families a monthly monetary aid, so that they can have the minimum for living. It does the job, but it's quickly getting out of hand...

 

And I don't celebrate Carnival. First of all, I'm an awful dancer. Secondly, the place where I live in doesn't really celebrate it as other parts of the country.

If I was going to take a trip to Brazil (which I might do someday) where would you recommend I go to? I know that Brasilia is the capital, but Sao Paulo is the largest city, I think...

 

Yeah, don't go to Brasilia. It's a boring city with a bunch of politicians. I would recommend São Paulo. The nighttime here is pretty fun. There's always something to visit or somewhere to go.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I've been to Brazil before and I must say it was one of my favorite countries to visit. I did discover something later that I didn't know when I was there though.

 

Is it true that Brazil has a big martial arts community in it?

[caramba2654 602]

I've been to Brazil before and I must say it was one of my favorite countries to visit. I did discover something later that I didn't know when I was there though.

 

Is it true that Brazil has a big martial arts community in it?

 

I wouldn't be surprised if we did. XD I guess it's a popular activity for children and a hobby for adults. Actually, now that I think of it, quite a few friends of mine know how to fight at least something... So yeah, I think so. :3

[ReverseFaller 2,484]

I hear there are a decent number of Brazilians with Japanese descent. How often do you see Japanese-looking people, and how often do you actually hear the Japanese language itself?

Edited June 6, 2014 by Mikami

[caramba2654 602]

What's it like in Brazil? What region do you live in? (The Jungle, the urban area, ect.)

 

Uh, let's see... It's nice, I guess. It's no different from your average USA (at least where I live). I dunno what else to say about it. XD

 

Almost no-one in Brazil lives in the Jungle. In fact, it has a density of 2 people per square kilometer. I live in the Southeast part of it, where most of the population is.

[IcyHaze 595]

Is Max Payne accurate as a presentation of Brazil?

Edited June 6, 2014 by IcyHaze

[caramba2654 602]

Is Max Payne accurate as a presentation of Brazil?

 

Erm... If you don't count the shooting, then yeah. Part of it, at least. Crimes and drugs are a big thing in Brazil, and they have their biggest focus on slums, which are an unfortunate consequence of Brazil's rapid growth in the last decades. But being a Brazilian, I've never been into that kind of thing. It's quite easy to avoid those sort of things.

 

The part of the game that describes the luxury life in Brazil is also kinda true. Of course we don't have roof parties with champagne that costs 600 bucks, but we still have stuff of the sort.

 

The thing is that there's a huge gap between the poor and the rich. The wider the gap, the worse things get. What the government has been trying is to close that gap a bit. It's not easy, but not impossible.

 

EDIT: Oh, and the corruption? 100% true. And it's only now that the people is starting to get angry about it.

Edited June 6, 2014 by caramba2654

[Carbon Maestro 1,003]

So, go ahead and ask me anything! You can ask about the World Cup, Brazil's, education system, Brazil's economy, language questions (if you're going to come to Brazil to watch a few games), etc... It's up to you!

 

How often do you hear english conversations in Brazil? Is it common to hear?

[caramba2654 602]

How often do you hear english conversations in Brazil? Is it common to hear?

 

Not very often, but I know that it's pretty common inside offices. The only times I've heard English conversations outside an office was in special events that I went to.

[Zenit 190]

Can you understand Spanish spoken?

Whats High School like in Brazil?

How did you learn English?

Edited June 7, 2014 by Just a ghost

[Shadow Thrill 15]

there are a lot of riots in Brazil over the budget of the World Cup with sides claiming that the money could be spent in other means. What's your thoughts on this and are there any expected conflicts when the World Cup begins?

[caramba2654 602]

Can you understand Spanish spoken?

Whats High School like in Brazil?

How did you learn English?

 

Sorta. If they speak it slowly, I can.

 

High School in Brazil is very cool, but very hard. It's only 3 years instead of the usual 4. We learn the same stuff as in a US High School. Then, at the end of the 3rd year we try to enroll in a university. Instead of looking at your profile, the universities make you take a test, which varies for each university; some have a one day test with 90 multiple choice questions, while others have 4-days tests with multiple choice questions, written questions, and two essays. Then you compete for the spot in the university. If you grade well in the university's test, then you're in. If not, you have to wait another year., which sucks. But it's nice. The school I'm in has a very good high school course, so I'm sure I'll enter a good university.

 

As for English, it's Brazil's second language and it must be taught at all schools. I began learning it when I was little, then I went to a dedicated English school, which focus solely on English rather than all the other subjects. Around that time I also began surfing the net, so I had somewhere to practice English. At 10 years old I think I was able to hold a conversation for a pretty long time, and watching English videos and reading English articles was no problem for me.

 

there are a lot of riots in Brazil over the budget of the World Cup with sides claiming that the money could be spent in other means. What's your thoughts on this and are there any expected conflicts when the World Cup begins?

 

This is a veeeeery touchy subject, but here I go!

 

Let me start with the budget. It comes mainly from the taxes that we pay, and they aren't few. It's being used to build lots of stadiums for the World Cup. And there's corruption involved. For example, there was one stadium that took three times the original budget to be built. Lots of money were lost in this.

 

Meanwhile, our social problems keep getting worse. The people (and I'm included) think that instead of that budged being used to build these expensive stadiums, it should have been used to fix our social problems and ensure a better growth. We have lots of problems regarding transportation, education, health, etc... And they have been around for quite a while. So instead of spending millions of dollars on stadiums, why not invest it in upgrading our ports so that we can export more soy?

 

These are the kind of thoughts that are going through the minds of the Brazilian people. We're tired of corrupt governments and promises that aren't kept. We're tired of our social problems. We want to improve our economy, but even though we have the potential, we don't have the means to do it. So what we're aiming for is to replace the government with one that does exactly what needs to be done.

 

There are a lot of protests and riots happening. We have the "black blocs", the public transport strikes, etc... There are rumors that riots will happen during the first World Cup game, but our president says that "the security will be enforced so that the World Cup can take place". I hope it's true, because I wouldn't want to see violence leave a stain in Brazil's history, especially if it has something to do with people from other countries.