| not really generalize that all Brazilians or Brazilian | | | | > Never, under any circumstances, call your GF or |
| women for that mattter are the same. Brazilians differ | | | | wife the B word. Name calling in Brazil is considered |
| in terms of socio-economic status, class system, | | | | extremely offensive, and a man should never call his |
| educational levels and ethnicity. | | | | wife names no matter how terrible the argument is. A |
| On the other hand, there are some cultural similarities in | | | | wife, like a mother or a daughter, is sacred. American |
| the way people are raised. Don’t be surprised if | | | | movies show a lot of cursing (the F word seems to |
| both of you have communication problems due to | | | | be the most popular). Brazilians associate cursing with |
| upbringing differences, as well as food preferences | | | | gangsters and lowlifes. |
| and other habits that can cause trouble. | | | | > The mother in law thing. Many older women in Brazil |
| Here are some general pointers (which I repeat may | | | | are in dire economical situation due to widowhood, |
| not apply to all Brazilian women): | | | | divorce, lack of opportunities, low paid jobs. The older |
| > There is a strong sense of family in Brazil. The | | | | generation of women did not usually work outside the |
| extended family is also important. Married people or | | | | home. Therefore, they expect their children to take |
| people in committed relationships do not go to Boys | | | | care of them. Many of these mothers interfere in their |
| Night Out or Girls Night Out where they can | | | | childrens’ relationships and try to control their |
| flirt with other people. Men might play soccer with their | | | | daughters or sons. |
| buddies in the afternoon, women might have a coffee | | | | > You and her (or him, in case of an American woman |
| and shoppping with their female friends, but they do | | | | with an American man) might have differences when |
| not go out at night and leave their partner alone at | | | | it comes to how to use your time. Brazilians consider |
| home. No strip clubs for men in committed relationships | | | | Sunday sacred. It is not a day to work, but a day to |
| either. That is all a no no and even shocking for us | | | | lounge around, go to the beach, have a barbecue by |
| Brazilians. | | | | the pool, watch soccer or Formula One, visit with |
| > When it comes to engagement and weddings, | | | | friends, go sightseeing, nap or watch movies and other |
| Brazilian women are used to some different things. | | | | leisure actitivities. |
| We do not require you spend thousands on a diamond | | | | Saturday they might run errands, but never on |
| ring. We do not have that tradition (see my post about | | | | Sundays! It is not only the Catholic influence but also |
| engagement rings). We are happy with a simpler ring | | | | the fact that in their minds, the work week is for work, |
| or just the wedding bands. Some of us though, after | | | | while the weekend is for pleasure and rest. So if you |
| living in America and seeing so many De Beers ads, | | | | like to tinker with your car, wash your car, rebuild the |
| may want a diamond ring too. | | | | roof, clean the garage or mow the lawn on a Sunday |
| > Do not even think of having a dalliance with hookers | | | | you will find resistance. She will feel abandoned. In her |
| and strippers just because it is your bachelor’s | | | | mind, you should be with her and not ignoring her with |
| party. We consider that cheating and don’t be | | | | chores. Not only that, she was raised seeing her |
| surprised if your fiance cancels the wedding if she | | | | Dad pay someone to do those things. The help works, |
| finds it out. We do not even have the bachelor party | | | | the middle class and the upper middle class rests and |
| tradition. Very few men celebrate that, while the | | | | plays. |
| bride’s friends do get together to get her | | | | > Once you marry and have children with a Brazilian, |
| presents for her new home. Sometimes men | | | | you have to understand some cultural differences |
| participate as well (a tradition that is also starting here). | | | | when it comes to being a couple. In Brazil, the focus is |
| > Latin people in general are more emotional and more | | | | on the COUPLE. The children come second. You and |
| possessive, keep that in mind when you fight with her. | | | | your wife are the main unit, not you and your kids. |
| > Women are raised to be feminine, to do female | | | | Many American men and women turn their focus to |
| things (they may have piano and ballet lessons, not | | | | the children after they are born , spending little alone |
| baseball or rough sports). Many are stil raised to get | | | | time with their spouse. |
| married and have babies as the first focus and their | | | | Not spending enough alone time with your spouse, not |
| career as a secondary pursuit-a necessary evil. | | | | romancing them and spending too much time on the |
| Women are encouraged to spend a lot of their time in | | | | kids can create resentment. |
| their looks-body, clothes and hair. Staying attractive is | | | | Brazil does not have the Daddy and Daughter |
| sine qua non in a culture that judges people by how | | | | culture. Children spend time with their parents together, |
| they look. | | | | not with only one parent. Telling your kids how much |
| > Brazilian women expect the man to be a gentleman. | | | | you love them, hugging and kissing them all the time |
| They like a man who opens doors, drives them places, | | | | and not doing the same with your spouse can create |
| changes their oil, etc. when it comes to practical things. | | | | resentment. Brazilians want the romance to continue, |
| But when it comes to decision making, Brazilian | | | | no matter how long you have been married. They |
| women are opinionated and are not shrinking violets. | | | | want to walk hand in hand, they want some PDA, they |
| They expect you to respect them and share your | | | | want to know they come first. |
| decisions with them if part of a couple. | | | | |