Ideário Mutante

I am Brazilian and I have lived in the US for almost 2 years, plus countless trips.  My husband is American and he has been living with me down in Brazil for 5 years now. Such culture exchange has been the topic of many conversations, and these hints were put together to help other Americans out there living and visiting Brazil. This post was made to help you crack some Brazilian cultural stuff and help you fit in. The only place I have lived outside of Brazil was the United States. That is why I am comparing and showing some gaps between these cultures specifically. But even though Americans are the target audience, I believe this article can give other nationalities some insights into how we (Brazilians) work. Another critical point to make is that I live in Santa Catarina, south of Brazil. Brazil is huge, the size of an entire continent. That been said, you can imagine how different regions are  diverse   culturally. So, do not take my words as universal truth, ...

There are a few things I learned growing up, as a Brazilian girl, and I didn't realize they were not what everyone else in the world learned until I moved to the US. 1.        Do NOT throw paper in the toilet. In the restroom of a lot of establishments you go to in Brazil, you will see these signs:  So, for me, I grew up thinking you were like the most evil person in the world if you threw your toilet paper in the toilet. It was mind blowing to know people in the US thought the exact opposite was rude or not  acceptable . Even though a lot of establishments have these signs, others take it for granted that everyone knows it is wrong to do so. So, it is good you know not to throw paper in the toilet when you visit Brazil, otherwise you might clog the pipes. 2.        Shake people’s hand and give them a cheek kiss! When someone is introduced to you, you shake their hand and give them a “chee...