Brazzil

Clelia,

I really enjoyed reading your tale. It's always interesting to me to learn how people adapt to new environments and how their new environment is effected by their presence. I like immigrant stories. This experience has always fascinated me.

Steve from Canada

I LIKE THE ARTICLE. AS A BRAZILIAN IMIGRANT WHO LIVED FOR SOME TIME IN AUSTRALIA IN RECENTLY IN THE USA, I LIKE TO READ OTHER'S EXPEREINECES AS WELL. WELL DONE CLELIA!

JOAO / LONG ISLAND

Hi Clelia,

On your next article you should tell the readers some interesting stories from your 20 years experiences as General Manager of the American/Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in New York.

Your cousin,
Ricardo C. Amaral
.

Thanks for the great story Celia I look forward to reading more about your 'culture shock' in the USA.

This was a nice introduction, but I want to hear more. For example, you write,

"(In São Paulo) I used to have my hair and nails done every week, I would have weekly visits to a health club for massages, saunas, exercises and even a once-a-month leg waxing. And I had a full time maid."

Yes, Brazil has hordes of subsistence and below subsistence laborers to massage you, wax your legs, and wash and cook for you. I'm curious, How do you feel now about Brazil's economy? How about empregadas in Brazil?

Beyond your experience of culture shock, what insights do you have about Brazil and the US as a result? That’s the more interesting story. Your article raises many questions similar to the ones above, for example, related to the relations of family and social acquaintances, work ethic, outlook on life, etc. I’d like to hear something a little more.

I always laugh at the Brazilian strugle to distinguish themselves from the Spanish speaking part of latin america; they remind me of the Canadians and their endless crusade to make themselves different from Americans.

LOL

It is just plain-nonsense to put all the Spanish speaking countries of Latin America in a single category, neglecting all the enormous differences that are to be found between places like Mexico and Argentina, for example. When Brazil is added to this big amorphous label, it becomes even more meaningless.

We do not struggle to be different from our Spanish speaking friends, we just are different. We speak a different language; have a different ethnical composition and more religious diversity than in other Latin American countries (Brazil has the second biggest protestant population in the world, after the United Sates). We like samba, not salsa

I remember having read somewhere about a TIME magazine project to launch a regular edition devoted to the so called Latin America in the sixties. I do not recall the details, but the project failed and when considering the reason Time magazine executives realized that they were aiming at an inexistent market. There was no such a thing as a unified “Latin American” market then. Mexicans did not care about political problems in Argentina, Brazilians did not know where Costa Rica was located. People in Chile did not give a damn about what was going on in El Salvador. The situation has not changed much since then ….

This piece is so beautifully written, interesting and sparkles with lovely touches of humanity. I want more, and I want it now!

Brazilians are different from people in other Latin American countries, just as the person pointed out above, people in other Latin American countries are different from each other.

Canada IS different from the US. They don't have to "struggle to distinguish themselves" and they aren't on a "cursade to make themselves different." You have to be a real dolt to not know the difference between a Canadian and someone from the US. I suppose Quebec, for example is just an example of the "crusade" of the Canadians to "make themselves different." LOL.

And the only place where Latin American countries are seen as homogeneous is in the minds of the ignorant. I’ve met plenty of people in the US who think Brazilians speak Spanish. They have no idea that on this basic and important level, Brazil IS different from other Latin American countries, let alone on any other cultural level. One thought Brazil is in Africa though. Now THAT was a laugh…LOL.

Americans are basically very narrow minded and generally believe that the people of South America are less worthy than Americans. Most believe that Brazilians are basically nonwhite or mixed race not white (or at least Anglo Saxon) and thus not as good as American whites. They generally believe this about most of South America.

South Americans all look alike and sound alike to the average American and they aren't interested in learning the difference.

not only brazil is different to spanish speaking latin america, but spanish speaking latin american countries are different from each other as well

take a trip to cuba, and then go to panama, and is like you're in two different continents

go to argentina, and then to bolivia and you realize that argentina is more like europe than like bolivia

costa rica has nothing in common with the dominican republic and so on

the latin american diaspora is very vague, in reality latin americans have as much in common with each other, as much as americans have with english speaking nigeria.

the only thing that unites that continent is the two main languages (spanish/portuguese) and that is because they are extremely similar, other than that there is not much of a similarity among latin americans, their ccent changes a big deal inside brazil's regions, and from spanish speaking country to the other

i have heard that if a puerto rican goes to paraguay, he will be basically missunderstood because of the tremendous language variation

only ignorant americans think, latin america is this continent full of dark skin indigenous people wearing mexican sombreros that go around calling each other latino.

as a matter of fact i have yet to hear a person in any latin american country of the ones i've visited, saying that they are latinos, most of them don't even acknowledge that American term.

I agree I've been to Dominican republic, and Peru, eventhough they speak the same language (Spanish) there is absolutely nothing similar between these two countries; Dominican Republic resembles english speaking Jamaica, far more than resembling Peru; Peru for some reason has a rather unusual substantial Japanese influence, I have never seen so many Japanese in my life!

PS: I've never been to Japan! & I saw more Japs in Peru, than here in Vancouver.

You would find even more japaneses in Brazil. Brazil has the largest population oj Japanese and descendents of Japanese living outside Japan. (about 3 million people)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Clelia Moraes's experiences as a young Brazilian in NYC during a time when the world was a much bigger place than it is now. I laughed and I cried through my reading of her experiences. Yes, I want more from this excellent new writer. Brava, Clelia!

I just loved the cultural shocks. As an eternal traveller,living all over the world, I undestood and really enjoyed every word. I can see Clelia while she is there writing these texts. Just write more and more, you have so many stories to tell, and we will all enjoy they way you look at all the events, with so much understanding, love and sense of humour!lakelandsylvia@ajato.com.br

loved it all,especially,the responses

beth xxxooo

Parabens! Muito bem escrito e muito interessante. Como americana de nascimento (mas brasileira de coracao) eu tambem sofri "culture shock" ao chegar nos Estados Unidos apos 20 anos no Brasil. No fim, nos duas consequimos acostumar-nos a New York. Com abracos e beijos (dois), Ruth

As a Brazilian/American who came to the United States approximately at the same time as Clelia did I read and re-read Clelia''s story and loved it. It is humorous, uncomplicated and refreshing.I lived through many similar experiences of culture shock, constant adaptation to American ways without losing my Brazilian inner-core, and learned to admire the spirit of enterprise and hard work that pushes this country forward. Clelia is fully assimilated to the New York way of life, completely functional at all levels of social intercourse in America, but still very Brazilian from Sao Paulo, which is saying a lot. Keep up the good work.

"Shock" may be a bit of a strong word…New Yorkers are not easily shocked But I see what you mean.

ysuarez@globo.com
Clelia estou encantada realmente da maneira que voce contou como se adaptou nos States - Já imprimi e vou mandar para Vanda via faz - Parabens amiga Yvette

In regards to how short author thought people were,in new york, the US like Brazil are both immigrant countries and people tend to vary in physical structure by region. I grew up in the west of the US and the majority of white people I new were blond haired blue eyed. When people I knew would go back to the northeast, such as new york, they would always comment on how short and dark everybody was, probably due to having many more decendents of southern european decent. When my mom visited Sao Paulo she could not believe that so many people were taller than her. She expected people to be short and dark. Also in regards to the comments about latin america being one culture, this myth is not just perpetuated by ignorant americans, it is perpetuated by people who are immiagrants from latin america to the US in order to secure affirmative action minority rights. After all wouldn't you want to get your son into harvarfd on a minority scholorship with a 3.5 GPA. Or if that fails he/she could always go into construction where as a minority they can bid on governement contracts, competing onlly against other minorities. The term latino was coined by chicano groups in the 1960's to secure these rights and reject american. But it is funny because they are the ones who actually perpetuate the myth about everybody in latin american being one culture and being a brown race. Americans are ignorant it is true, but nothing compared to this stupid mexicans.

"…it is perpetuated by people who are immiagrants from latin america to the US in order to secure affirmative action minority rights." You are an ignorant person, that is very clear.

Although I will admit that my spelling after six beers on a saturday afternoon leaves something to be desired, please explain to me how the statement made was ignorant. It is funny how so many people just dismiss things out of hand because it does not follow the usual PC line. Have you ever investigated this issue or thought about it logically. Do you know the history of why the term latino was coined. I suggest you give concrete examples of how what I said was wrong instead of labeling me as igorant. Perhaps you should look at yourself, and ask if it is possible you are the one who is ignorant. Now please give concrete examples of how I am wrong. If not I suggest reading a book called "Brown" by Richard Rodriguez. Also I apologize for calling mexicans stupid, only people who refer to themselves as chicano or refer to thier race as latino are stupid.

"Also I apologize for calling mexicans stupid, only people who refer to themselves as chicano or refer to thier race as latino are stupid."

But for the spelling mistakes I totaly agree with you

Is not beautifull diversity? Just 9 years living in USA and having opportunity to travel into many different communities I had discovered an America with some similarities as the Brazilians have. It is so nice hear from someone that came 35 years ago and prepered this bridge and informed to the Americans natives our little differences. After all that friendship between our countries perdues. Despite politics and economic games we are similar. Brazil can be my wife but I can't leave my mistress America. I love her. Don't you?

LOL I was expecting this big controversial tale when it’s just the “personal experiences” of some Brazilian woman relocating to the US. I found it interesting but the article is somewhat unbiased and simplistic (like many articles in Brazzil.com actually). Also the woman comes across as slightly snobbish and superficial, the whole thing about having your nails, getting massages and having an in-house servant is described by her as if it were a “necessity” and the way she describes certain basic “cultural” differences between Brazilians & Yanks i.e. “having sandwiches” for lunches as if it was it this “crazy” thing to do is a little narrow-minded. Anyway, one thing’s for certain, it does show that this transcultural tale took place in the 60’s.

I enjoyed the piece, but like Chipolta I found myself distracted by some of the comparisons. Perhaps Clelia should have written, "...my colleagues learned about the different attitudes of an old and traditional and very wealthy Brazilian family..." But still, I found it very enjoyable to read. A short piece like this can't be all things to all people.

I lived in USA whem I was a sixteen. Now I am fourty-two. I used to think people are different but now i am sure we are all the same, it doent matters if we are black, white, brown, yellow ....

I found the article quite interesting! I think a lot of us Brazilians living abroad will relate to the issues (simple or not) Clelia brought up. It was very enjoyable to read and at times it was like reading my own story! :-)

And it is great that a simple article about“personal experiences” of a Brazilian woman relocating to the US, generated so much discussion.

Good job Clelia and good job all the ones who sent their comments! :-)

I enjoyed the article. It didn't remind me of my mother who was born in Jau in Sao Paulo in 1934 and has been living in Perth Australia for 37 years and has forgotten how to speak Portuguese. She's never been back to Brasil and still doesn't have Australian citizenship. She speaks English with a strong accent and never taught me to speak Portuguese so I've had to go there twice to learn. My mum is now 71 and still isn't intending to return to Brasil. She has no Brasilian contacts and when she meets someone Brazilian, she can't speak it properly.

Another piece written by an ethnocentristic rich spoiled brazilian "madame".
Sure you can a pay for semi-slavish labor to do your nails and treat you like royalty . For the amount of taxes ou have to pay in Brazi and not getting any quality public service and the current situation of the jobs market/bureocracy/corruption in Brazil sure do have its disavantages compared to NYC..

But funny reading nonetheless.

Cheers

brazil is a truly messed up country full of dysfunctionalities is it therefore any wonder people whish to get the hell outta here in large numbers?????

brazil is a truly messed up country full of dysfunctionalities is it therefore any wonder people whish to get the hell outta here in large numbers?????

I am an american woman who is fifty years old and love to live life. I spent years traveling all over the United States. Meeting people from all over. I am now married to a Brazillan
man and have met many Brazillians as a result. They are truly the friendlest, generous, and most devoted humans I have ever met. My life is so enriched by these people.
Helen Silva

Im impressed. Youre truly well informed and very intelligent. You wrote something that people could understand and made the subject intriguing for everyone. Im saving this for future use.

Vivian
Marks Web
www.imarksweb.net