How do you navigate your expat identity in Brazil?

304POSTS

6 years ago

Hey guys in Brazil or wanting to move there,

Fellow expat Stephanie has sent us a piece about how she navigates between her British-ish and her French-ish identity and we thought we would share it with you.

Her opinion piece is featured on our magazine:
Opinion: Does being an expat mean I聮ll always be the outsider?

We would love to know what you think!

Happy Thursday,
AL

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What makes you happy in your expat city in Brazil or elsewhere? - 3 Replies
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GuestPoster204 Guest

0POSTS

6 years ago

A lot of conflicts between the US and Brazil about how things are done. So while in Brazil, I drive like any Brazilian would drive and behave the best I can as a Brazilian in public. Make things easier and don麓t make you feel guilty as an American thinking would. When I go back to the US, I behave accordingly also to make the law go easier on me - no chaotic driving, no rolling stops, no go on red lights etc. It doesn麓t always happen though as some Brazilian ways permeates my overall attitude and them exercised unconsciously in the States which amazes me. Brazilian shortcuts of doing things... Very tempting. Like consumption of drinks (especially beer) and edibles inside markets before paying them (just the empty containers presented to the cashier); putting your shopping cart behind someone else麓s car to avoid putting it somewhere else; not warning people that you麓re not coming at an agreed upon event and so forth.听

听

So I navigate like Julius Caesar. Veni vidi vici...

robal

1 member reacted to this post

Wazzup Active member

71POSTS

6 years ago

Hah! My BR spouse had many probs adjusting to life outside BR. Even simple things like why not take a whole month vacation? "everyone does".听 I can go on and on but he's back home & so far he's re-adjusting. 馃

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NewBrazil Serial expat

332POSTS

6 years ago

I been in Brazil for 2 years now permanent Resident. I don鈥檛 speak Portuguese is a disadvantage if you do very good for you. I have a large Brazilian family very good people. I don鈥檛 drive because the streets aren鈥檛 marked well in the town I live my wife does all the driving. Which is a little frustrating it鈥檚 funny we were in Mexico. I rented a car and drove my wife was surprised how good I was a driver haha. I am just making a observation when you don鈥檛 speak the language people have a tendency to think you are stupid. It鈥檚 mostly a unconscious response not a on purpose. Lots of motorcycles don鈥檛 expect them or cars to stay in lanes. The motorcycle are always passing you on both sides even when your stopped. The smaller the town the more motorcycles. I do love Brazil and have great family and friends are very loyal. Get ready to live a more simple life but fuller life. If one of you have Brazilian family is usually a good place to start your new life In Brazil in the same town.

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