Brazzil

What do you guys think of black Brazilians marrying white Brazilians specifically in order to have lighter children?

Why post this article with a picture of a Soldier with rifle and with our flag in the Back Ground? Is Chistopher "Saco Cheio" and trying to appeal to the help of our CIGS? Food for thought

So when the only member of the extended family to still have a regular paying job is the teacher and the cantina owner what makes you think the children, neighbors, other family members, friends and other acquantinances from all over think this vocation is something to be looked / talked down upon? Bigger money or a chance for it drives everyone crazy you say? Eu Malucco.

trying to change his image. And trying to gain the sympathy of the Brazilian Green Machine.
His use of the word "war" is ridiculous. The man wouldn't be able to tell the business end of a FAL from a broom.
Professionals know "war" is practically a swear word. It drips blood.One must never use it lightly.
We do live in an undeclared civil war.Rio is deadlier than the Gaza Strip.And many schools suffer from that very real, bloody war in day-to-day shootouts.
But the schooling problem is not a war.It is a crime, one that has been commited for decades now.
And believe me, the military are VERY leery of politics.

And believe me, the military are VERY leery of politics.

Amen

Eu Malucco.

No, you are not.

patriotism can be seen in the number of crosses in the military cemitarys around the world .

what good would it do to know how a FAL works when your goverment wont but bullets for you to protect your country

BUT a teacher can teach a child a better way to live , and a better understanding of the world around them
and not to acepct what the goverment tell them at face value

look at china they killed all the teachers and scholars during the culture revolution

brasil went the other way they never sent any body to school

Teachers can be very inspirational people and they deserve better pay. Myself had a teacher that always encouraged me to pursue my dreams and not only did teach me from the books but did teachme a lot about life, respect and integrity. I thank her for the patient and I see her everytime I return home. She was a tutor someone I looked up to, I wanted to be a teacher when I was younger because I admired her so much but the profession is not for everyone. It takes a deep sense of human knowledge that can't be learned in the books, it takes a amazing human being to be a mentor and guide young kids and prepare them for life.

Lack of education is a CRIME commited by those in power. It is future murder.
My problem is this "rambo professor" image the senator tries to make stick. It's just dumb.
Teaching is about trust, and building. The opposite of war.
I am totally against this free-style use of military bulls**t in the civilian world.It is only done by those who don't know how stupid war is.
In your posts you suggest you have seen the elephant. If that is so, then you know what I'm talking about.
People who have not been there shouldn't talk so lightly about it.
That is the meaning of my post.
He demeans education by likening it to a war.

You walk the walk, buddy?

if it is elephants , or the thousand yard stare
too wake up to the smell of gun power in the air mixed with the smell of death
to walk through the vill and not be put off by the site of the dead and dieing , does not make you less of a man
but less of a person .
if one looks at the past down the road they have taken you will find a teacher standing there
in one form or another ,
in brasil the kids dont have this chance very often
but look in brasil you have the PM , as police , you have the military , in every
point of life in brasil you see the or some form of military
forceing or enforceing laws put there by the
people that wont give you good schools ,

god bless the USMC and all others who
will make life better for the world
even though they are not ever going to see what good they have done

you a jarhead? Ex?

people that wont give you good schools "

Funny statement.
Therefore as law enforcment is very effective in Brazil, you should have top quality schools !!!
Correct ?

And yess congratulations to those who try but wont succeed simply due to lack of budget. At the end they themselves are tired of wishing to change things but unable to change them..
End results ?
Their motivastion will disappear over time and absenteeism will go to very high proportions !
Without stimulation and emulation....that is a lost battle !

Just look at your bureaucracy ! Red tape prevails, absenteeism ....TOO !!!! and they are well paid....contrary to teachers !!!!!

Funny that you think that most whitening comes mostly from blacks marrying whites !!!

Just surf Yahoo or Google and type......Brazil Whitening....!!!!!

You will find many many articles that long ago, Brazilians opened their arms wide open the country to Whites immigrants.......who could them Whiten the country !
Because by mixing a white and a black you whiten somewhat but not really ! You got MULATTOS not whites !!!!

Forrest is a regular commentator in this site and in fact he is also an author of an article titled "How Brazil stole my boat and U.S. refused entry to my Brazilian wife" posted in early March of this year.Though I located the article with the intention of giving you its web address, I could not access it again. There he narrates his experience in Brazil.Subsequently he continues posting his comments on all the articles published in this site,because he has family and business interests in this country.He is also quietly investing in training of yougsters in some useful trade.

Yes, he is a Vietnam Vet.

Our wars have not been the all-out fuuckfest 'nam was, they've been mostly cloak-and-dagger stuff with lots of skulking around.
Besides, our jungle ops are a whole different matter 'cause it's or home turf.The Marine credo is that if a problem hasn't been solved yet, it's because you haven't thrown enough ordnance at it yet.Doesn't work in jungles, nor in MOUT situations.So his experiences are a whole lot different than ours.He saw HERDS of elephants.
Still, it is really good to have someone else who's been at the sharp end of the stick to help with the reality checks civilians need when they start "tripping out on the mayonaise" about military analogies or real-life situations (like the one with the poor Jean Charles and the greenhorns who plugged him).
My deepest respects to him.
May he stay Semper Fi.

May he stay Semper Fi.

It is "Sempre Fiel" in our language, Col.Yu been drinking too much of our National Drink

Actually I'm more into Laphroaig...
Don't know how much portuguese he knows(with a brazilian missus, probably a lot.But... ya never know); so I wrote it the way he's used to see it.
Another one I like is "fortvuna avdentis jvdat".
Keeping it in mind has helped me over a few humps.

That's "fortvna avdentis jvdat". typo.

That's "fortvna avdentis jvdat". typo.

Col,you really got me. I think it means "Fortune favors the Brave",in English.Confirm (or correct) ASAP

The Hereford crowd use a variation of it as their motto ("Who Dares,Wins").
Smart lads.

life is not lost in war it is given by thoes with a higer calling than most

in most houses of goverment they beleive
only fight the wars you can win
it is most important to keep your party in power .
no mater what it takes

you must look into people as well as at them

Wherever you are right now, I wish you calm seas and no need for Mr. Gustav's support...
At any rate, living in Brazil and trying to walk the straight and narrow poses serious challenges.Those in power serve only themselves; here and in most places.
Our guys are demoralized and lost. Some of us still fight.
We are ostracized.The force is almost 100% REMF's
I'm still in. Will cut out, mothball the bdu's soon.
I won't see change in MY lifetime.Won't quit, though.
Shiit, last time I was on a boat, was in the south pacific in the typhoon season.Barfed half to death.You swabbies have steel piping for guts.
Been a steadfast landlubber since then.Would be kinda hard to ever meet you.
But if I did, I'd shake your hand and offer a shot of Laphroaig (Talisker or Caol Ila would do fine, too).
BTW, read previous posts.
Just keep doin your thing.
And here, those that look into people are quite boycotted.
What the hell, fuuck'em. Won't change, too old.
Best to you and the missus.May the fish keep biting.

João and I tried to find your article. Know somewhere it still endures? (other than your mind,bud...)

The motto in Latin, with the spelling and all, is, together with the figure of a boar chewing on a femur (charming...) is, unless memory fails me (damn, where are my memory pills? and my Ovaltine?), the Clan McGregor shield.
Highlanders are weird, and not to be trifled with.But their malts suggest theirs is a gentle soul deep down inside...

One More for Hector.

Highlanders arnt weird they just march to the pipes and in dresses ,
you let the cold wind blow up from the crawford and lift your skirt
to show what is worn under your kilt .

the schots and irish booth have given england hell in the past
so they can put any thing on there coat of arms they want

you should see mine as my fathers side is from a small eoropean country and my mothers from a different one so
it would look like a knight screwing a ram on a spear about to be killed by a axe

so have a bowl a pint and some good old pub food

watching the storms starting blow as i am up the river still with my wife
doing a little work and watching fatima learn about the country

keep you power dry , the beer cold and laugh as often as you can

...
written by Ana P., 2007-08-16 22:50:25

Myself had a teacher that always encouraged me to pursue my dreams and not only did teach me from the books but did teachme a lot about life, respect and integrity. I thank her for the patient and I see her everytime I return home. She was a tutor someone I looked up to, I wanted to be a teacher when I was younger because I admired her so much but the profession is not for everyone.

.....so after majoring in nuclear engineering for 2 years, I decided to let my hair down and become a stripper in Arizona!

Cant believe that Telemar fixed your Velox so quickley.

Nuclear engineering? Would appreciate if Ana P explains about it!

keep you power dry , the beer cold and laugh as often as you can

A good advice from a "Velho Sabio".In case you dont know the meaning, you better ask Fatima to translate it

is something us crusty geezers do as a matter of course.
Never have the desire to use it.
But never hesitate if you have to.
So how's the cold front down there, João?

So how's the cold front down there, João?

It is cold enough to freeze the Brass Monkey´s balls,lad. Thanks for asking,though.

I am glad that Forrest is in warm weather,like you are. Lucky folks.

This afternoon, the weather was plesant and nice ,when I was among the "educators" (Buorque was not there). Suddenly, from 6 P.M., the weather changed drastically.

What to do? I am not a senator who could fly to Brasilia to escape the cold front

the front has already arrived in DF, but temp bottoms out at 12C. The low humidity is much worse than the cold.

will probably be locked up in his room with a humidifyer running full blast.
Ever been in DF at this time of the year?

Highlanders arnt weird they just march to the pipes and in dresses ,
you let the cold wind blow up from the crawford and lift your skirt
to show what is worn under your kilt .

The highlanders dont have to lift their skirts to show what they have underneath.We all know what they have!

the schots and irish booth have given england hell in the past
so they can put any thing on there coat of arms they want

This is a typical Texan prejudice (of yours) against the Scotts,Irish,English,Chinese,Germans,Brazilians, Mexicans (and other 47 countries you been to).Why should the Texas born Americans feel so superior to the rest of their brethern and rest of the world?


Brazilian Dude, dont get perturbed with my out burst. I am just teasing the good ole Forrest

AP if you started in college why did you stop ? one of my degrees is in your started field , you should have joined in on the nuke sub last month in brazil
now that is a waste of money and time for brasil as it would be about $18 million dallors a year just to maintain it ,
and to make the fuel rods well where to do that and then where to dispose of them .

yes we all know what is worn under a kilt but it works just fine !!!!

I my self would rather be in a cold dry place than a cold wet place . as the wet goes to the bone

have been looking at the weather and hope all my friends down south are getting ready for it

Abriu and Ch. c., don't be stupid you guys.
Blacks marrying Whites? Oh! Really?
And the Whites aren't marrying Blacks?
which way around is the correct way?
Are the Brazilian Blacks going to Europe to marry Whites, or are the europeans who came and come to Brazil to marry or have sex with them?
laugh!!!........ laugh!!!......... laugh!!!....

Did you see Gisele on the Vanity fair Sep. cover?
Plus 33 pages of Brazilian male ( the handsome Evandro is there) and female models, and musicians? And a nice written essay about brazil by an American Journalist?
But be carefull when reading the magazine you may have an asthma attack.
laugh!!!....laugh!!!....laugh!!!....

I am not an engineer my hubby is. Not nuclear but mechanical. I have never been to college because I chose to raise my child and not to pay someone to raise it for me. A child can be time consuming and emotional draining job so my choice was to work at nights so I could spend time with him and be part of his life instead of being a corporate slave. I make my own hours, I make much more $$ than a normal job and allow me to not be dependent on my hubby for $$$ since I help my family since a very young age.
And I have fun since I love to dance and I love costumes and music. I love being around people and getting pay to dance is pretty awesome.

TO BO: My teacher was my inspiration because she also thaught me to do things that made me happy. I am not working since I am current packing to move to MN (Thank Lord I am leaving AZ, after 3 years living here I can't take the heat).

As for the hideous picture you've posted, it cracked me up it reminds of "festa junina", very funny indeed.

Another one for Bo:
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20009322,00.html

That lady got mo' crack than all of L.A.!!!

Ever been in DF at this time of the year?

Yes, Dude and the weather at DF was always pleasant during my visits. Of course that was years ago, before the phenomenon of Global Warming started. For almost 5 years we havent had a severe winter as this year in the South. It is supposed to be good for Apples and I hope we have some good outcome out of these cold waves!

have been looking at the weather and hope all my friends down south are getting ready for it

Thanks for warning us. But I think the state Governor managed to chase off the cold front from our state. A brave man indeed

João and I tried to find your article. Know somewhere it still endures? (other than your mind,bud...)

Dude, today, I got to access the article (I think that Forrest gave up). The link is:

http://www.brazzil.com/content/view/9823/80/

Dated March 3,2007

Worth reading it as well as the comments. Try to access it when the Internet traffic is not too intense.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/pro...383919.stm

Could it be that the Brazilians have the most swaggering inferiority complex in the world? The next time I'm asked "Do you like Brazil?", I will reply unequivocally: "Yes, it's a great country. But you shouldn't need me , or any other foreigner< to tell you so."

The answer of the author is incorrect. He wouldnt even get a Permanent Visa to Brasil,with this negative attitude.

The right response is : I love Brasil,but your GOVERNMENT could do lot more to fix all the problems you guys have. Then list all the complaints and a good Brasilian will agree with ya and hold the government responsible (unless he or she is a Carioca or Paulistano)

It is the same in most developed countries as well. Teachers universally have got the raw end of the deal over the past 30 years. When I grew up in Australia, 20% of the students aspired to be teachers of one kind or another. Now you would be lucky to find 1%. Pay scales for teachers have not kept pace with other professions, and as role models, they have been outmarketed by lawyers, bankers, IT gurus, etc. The teaching profession needs a decent marketing plan, and the teacher unions do a lousy job of selling the benefits of the profession to the community, and to there paymasters(usually the government). The trouble with not having good teachers and schooling is the problem shows up 20 years later, and we dont have good memories for these types of things, and look to blame the problems on someone else. Giving young people a good education is key to reducing crime, drug addition, juvenile pregnancies, and just about all other social ills that afflict young people and society in general.

Joao, that is how I typically respond but I don't think the problems is confined to the government alone. The people have an obligation to fight to fix a lot of the systematic problems and corruption yet very few are willing to do so.

But I think the point of the article is that so many Brazilians are very sensitive about perceptions...aparencias...and they would be better served looking inwards rather than being so quick to blame outsiders.

It is not quite the same in the developed world as in Brazil. I believe I read a couple of months ago a teacher starting in the Rio de Janeiro public schools makes $600 Reais a month. In some of the developed world you are right, they are underpaid, but not to the extent they are in Brazil.

But I think the point of the article is that so many Brazilians are very sensitive about perceptions...aparencias...and they would be better served looking inwards rather than being so quick to blame outsiders.

You are absolutely right.We should rather look inwards and think what we are doing wrong,how we could learn from others´s mistakes and correct the wrong things.I guess the maturity of a people comes from inner reflections.There again I am not a psychologist!!

Anyway, it was an interesting article you recommnded and thanks.

The teaching profession needs a decent marketing plan, and the teacher unions do a lousy job of selling the benefits of the profession to the community, and to there paymasters(usually the government). The trouble with not having good teachers and schooling is the problem shows up 20 years later, and we dont have good memories for these types of things, and look to blame the problems on someone else. Giving young people a good education is key to reducing crime, drug addition, juvenile pregnancies, and just about all other social ills that afflict young people and society in general.

An excellent comment from John. We have to remember,though, that the lawyers,bankers and IT Gurus were taught by the teachers to be what they are.The teachers didnt spare the rod,so not to spoil the kids. But compared to the Aussie teachers now, the situation of ours is very pathetic

Maybe white Brazilians marry black guys because of the size of the...white guys lack a lot on that front

I have said it before, what have YOU DONE for the education in Brazil ?. My aunts (3 of ´em) and my mother are teachers and they are heroes. Barra da Tijuca has good public schools and they are in good shape. Now, get out of there and you will see hell! Buzios has good schools, Quissama, Cabo Frio- again, go to the poorer areas and you will feel as if you are in a war zone. This is what happened to my mother before she was transferred to Barra. She gave a particular student in Jacarepagua a failing grade for different reasons, he was hardly at school.Next day, his parents were outside the school with a bunch of people (favelados), and they threatened my mother with wooden brooms (vassoura). She is a dedicated lady, willing to teach and help anyone. I was really shocked that she had to move schools. I am sure she would rather stay there, but the situation got out of control and the administrators did ZERO to help and asked my mother to pass the child. Private education is the only way to get a decent education in Brazil, and my parents paid more ¨Reais and Cruzeiros¨ in order to keep us in school. My sister is in med school, my dad pays per month more than R$6,000 including food, gas, books,etc. She passed the ¨vestibular´¨ to go to a public university, however they are always in GREVE, and at the current rate, it would take her more than 8 years to finish normal academic work. Quite frustrating, don´t you think ?

Cristovam, if you are so concerned about the pathetic state of our education in Brazil, why don´t you develop a decent plan and pay teachers a decent salary ? By the way, teachers receive less when comparing to other careers, here in VA Loudoun County, starting salary after a score of classes- $43,000. You cannot buy a house or an apartment with this salary. As someone here mentioned, the future of every child in this country it is mainly on the hands of today´s educators. Very simple, don´t invest in education, the future will be a big question mark. I work in a High School and can see the decline of the American education. Kids are getting out with poor written English and are failing in science. Not every school in this area is good, but having said that, the public education here outshines Brazil´s public schools. No child left behind, does nothing to help the kids, teachers feel that they have to pass a child without merit, otherwise the school gets slapped. My experience here in a classroom before the exam: give the student the same questions, mixed up a bit 5 times before the exam. What do you think it will happen?

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/...94DF404482

http://www.ncte.org/pubs/chron...125383.htm

See what teachers think of NCLB. Teachers and school administrators get punished if they don't pass a number certain kids. This is a global problem...

when comparing to other careers, here in VA Loudoun County, starting salary after a score of classes- $43,000. You cannot buy a house or an apartment with this salary

What? You can't buy a house with a salary of 43K U.S. per year? Sorry to tell ya Shel, but you're wrong. When figuring a mortgage they do a debt/income ratio. If one would gross 3600/mo. and have little to no other debt one could easily afford a nice home in the U.S.

Sorry, to tell ya Bo you are dreaming a bit. In NoVA you cannot buy a house with this income. Little or no debt isn't the American experience in this town, and mortgages aren't easy to get these days. In fact, I know at least two teachers living together in order to make ends meet. I live here and know this country, Fairfax and other towns are more. A nice townhouse here where I live beginning price at $400,000, sorry to bust your bubble!

http://www.beazer.com/findHome/communityChoice.asp?LocationID=3&MetroID=31&MapNum=6

THIS IS IN MY COMMUNITY

You can buy a townhouse for less than that, in Sterling--horrible area! Anything below $400 isn't going to be in a nice part of town!!

http://homes.realtor.com/search/searchresults.aspx?ctid=7565&ml=3&typ=2&sid=b9949d8d60b241b8a07ee4da57c5ab3e&pg=37

All townhouses from this page onwards IS where teachers want to live. Tell me which teacher you know that isn't struggling in this country right now? Man, I work with these people and they are fed up about their wages. Today was orientation day for our students, 3 teachers are leaving the profession, do I need to say anymore?

I meant county!

LOL at Shelly at the black guy comment... that's why Brasil has a lot of mix, the portuguese and Italian all felt in love with the black hunks with a big d*ck.

You are right, Bo I am sorry to say but I wrote bust instead of burst!!! I never check my spellings, I am used to other forums where they have the preview option and do my corrections. This is such a tiny box and it is hard for me to read the screen. Anyway, the only thing I will BUST, is my T-shirt, and hey they are not fake! Nothing against it, I would do plastic surgery if I had the $$$ or if I needed. Anna, this guy is an idiot, how on earth can someone use such argument to make a case? Obviously he has some deep rooted issues (maybe he is marrom glace), but to say that a black person marries a white individual in order to have more lighter children is just wrong. I think he ABRIU a boca pra falar merda! I think I will continue with my theory, since I had a black boyfriend once...you know the saying: once you go black, you can never go back!

or something similar

Anna, I took the time to find out: the "correct way is"nce you go black, you never go back! I have time today...

I live here and know this country, Fairfax and other towns are more. A nice townhouse here where I live beginning price at $400,000, sorry to bust your bubble!

Shelly, one does not HAVE to buy a 400,000 dollar home, first of all. But even if one would, as I stated, IF one has little to no debt and is making 3600 gross per month, that equates to approximately 2700 per month NET, one can certainly buy a house! I know what I'm talking about, I get mortgages in the U.S. all the time. My very best friend is not only the owner of a real estate company in the U.S., but also a mortgage company. If you like I can get him over here and he'll tell you all about it. One can get a mortgage for 400K for approximately 1500/month or less!

Now, you see how you changed the subject? Here was your first statement.

when comparing to other careers, here in VA Loudoun County, starting salary after a score of classes- $43,000. You cannot buy a house or an apartment with this salary

Now you changed it to...

A nice townhouse here where I live beginning price at $400,000

So, we went from, "you can't buy" to "you can't buy a nice one! That is different Shelly. And, I hate you burst your bubble, because I'm from the mid-atlantic region, not far from where you're at whatsoever. Family still lives there and has since the 1920's, but, just because the majority of people carry debt in the U.S. doesn't mean YOU have to!

Just because you and your friends have financed cars and maxed credit cards that is what's keeping you from buying a home, your debt to income ration. So, what do you do? You either have to eliminate some debt or increase your revenue. I was in that situation a time or two, and I always increased my revenue, but I had the type of job in where I had that possibility. I, for one, have never, and would never, accept a job where my income was "limited" or "fixed".

My brother in law is an actuary. If you know the profession, they are the top dog in the insurance company industry. He told me, and I trust him more than anyone else here, that to get a mortgage is hard these days. You are right, people don't have to buy a $400 home, however to live in a decent area, where the schools are good, where the neighborhood is clean and safe you will have to pay more. You have to pay or you will live around homes where people use their garden as a toilet. Trust me on this one BO, you don't have a clue about the ordinance problems we are facing here. My husband's co-worker is trying to sell his house around the neighborhood where the average home costs $300,000 (Sterling). Next door, the tree behind the house is currently being used as a bathroom. Would you live in area like this? Would you like to raise a child in an area where there is trash everywhere? Why should you expect a teacher, someone with a masters degree, to live in Sterling, EL HERNDON, etc...? Most young teachers I know live with 2 other people in order to live in this area, they stay here for 2 years and then go south. I met so many young teachers that were in the process of doing something else, Bo, it is not even funny. I used to work for Dominion High School, 2 young -recent grad were in the process of changing careers, it is frustrating and with $43K (which is 2008's salary for Loudoun County, right now a first year teacher, without a masters degree will get $40K). Still, comparing to what teachers make in Brazil, I still think that here a teacher is better off. If a young teacher is married, then it is easier combined income makes buying a home a lot more affordable.

Now your statement: Shelly, one does not HAVE to buy a 400,000 dollar home, first of all. But even if one would, as I stated, IF one has little to no debt and is making 3600 gross per month, that equates to approximately 2700 per month NET, one can certainly buy a house!

I guess you cannot drive, go out for a meal, have a vacation or buy clothes. After paying all the normal bills, how much do you think is left? Today I went to Target, bought a shoe for my daughter, 2 dresses, one skirt, one shirt. Guess how much I payed ? $120. Grocery for a family of 3 costs on average in this area $100/$200 per week. Certainly, if you want to have a LIFE and not just go from work-to-home/ home-to-work, you cannot buy a home over $400,000 with a teachers salary. I work in a school, therefore I know what I am talking about. Most young teachers getting out of school have more debt than anyone I know. Some get out of college with $70k debt, if you have a FAFSA or other payment plan, the monthly payments will be over a $100 bucks per month, depending on how long you stayed in school or which school you went. I payed my school with cash, I was lucky that my dad and my husband helped me out, how many people can afford to get out of school with no debt?

Now this is your statement :"Just because you and your friend live in a huge house, because I can afford it. Over 6,000 sq ws have financed cars and maxed credit cards that is what's keeping you from buying a home, your debt to income ration."

As you know I am married to a British man and they are not as materialistic as some Americans. I have lived in Europe and over there people are more frugal, they aren't big spenders, and for the most part, in control of their finances. In England this is changing, credit card debts is growing, but in the continent people still very wary of "so called" good deals. My sister-in-law has a house in Italy, last year we went there and I noticed that most people in Florence had a tiny television in their living room. I didn't see one big flat screen telly, nothing extravagant, but they still had a lot more fun than my next door neighbor. Both of my cars are paid for and we have 2 credit cards, WOW amazing ! Please, don't compare me with the rest. 7 homes in my street are for sale because people here cannot pay for their homes.Not me-I work and he works and we both have good jobs. You may like to deny it, but credit card debt here is getting worse. Teaching is one of the lowest paid profession. I have been asked to teach, the only benefit I see is the 2 months vacation. HOWEVER, the work load is hard and the kids are difficult to manage. Respect for the profession is getting worse and worse...teachers are fed up about a lot of things. If you want I can get one of them here and she will gladly tell you how she feels.

Here is a link to a web site where a teacher asked about living here. Notice how much people pay on rent and how expensive it is to live here. However, it is a nice area, boring though, people aren't as friendly due to work, work, work and Zero money left for fun.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/northern-virginia/55798-prince-william-county-vs-loudon-county.html

I think the article speaks for itself.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/northern-virginia/55798-prince-william-county-vs-loudon-county.html

"In 2002, a family had to earn $22.25 per hour (or
$46,280 annually) in order to afford the average priced
apartment in the COG region. According to the Bureau
of Labor Statistics, 54.4% of the Washington, D.C. region’s
workforce earned less than the housing wage in
2002. Many of these workers were employed in the
fields of community, health and protective services as
well as education/childcare and retail sales".

http://www.mwcog.org/uploads/p...102250.pdf

You may like to deny it, but credit card debt here is getting worse.

Never denied anything of the sort. Matter of fact I've stated as much. My best friend, being the owner of both a mortgage and real estate company, how many people's credit history do you think he sees in a week?

He began his career in the industry 15 years ago when we were both living in Atlanta Ga. I used to see with my own eyes credit card debt people would have racked up. And let me tell you, it's not unusual to see people in the states with 50K and even 100 K in credit card debt. It's a trap that 70% (imo) of americans fall into.

One thing I have to say about middle-class brazilians, they'll stay at home with mommy and daddy until they've saved up enough cash to put a significant down payment on an apartment or home before they move out. If they're frugal and make a halfway decent wage they should be able to accomplish this by the time they're 30. Until recently, because of lower interest rates here, people financed for very short time periods, and in respect to americans still do. You rarely see someone with a mortgage or any type of loan here in Brazil for more than 10 years. Reason being it's nearly impossible, the interest would kill you. Point being in the U.S. our desire to break free of our parents, start our own lives, and become independant is so strong that we're willing to finance it. And the Jews, 'errr, the banks have made it easy. Enrolled in college in the states? No job? Want a credit card? No problem! Send in a copy of your student ID and your SS# and you'll have a card in a couple weeks with 1500 to 2000 in limit. And you'll find there are several companies that you can get cards from. So, an 18 year old kid that has never worked a day in his life and absolutely has no income very often has 3 different cc's with around 5K U.S. limit total. That's the "starter kit". Tell me that's not a recipe for disaster!

I totally agree with you in everything you said here. Brazilians do stay with mommy and daddy for the reasons you have mentioned. However, I don't think every kid is mentally prepared to be "independent" at 18 years old. My child, for heavens sake, is in middle school and got a junk mail from CityBank offering her a cc ! I would rather see my children stay with me while in college, get a job (I did that while they were babies), and save the money . What is wrong with this idea? I don't see anything wrong with it, actually more and more college students are staying at home. Even worse, they go back after they graduate because of credit debt- a real humiliation to an American family.

Read this report from CBS and you will see that "living with mommy and daddy" isn't just a Brazilian phenomena, culture and economics play a major role on this issue. Being independent in my opinion, means that you are fully capable of looking after yourself, without the need of your parents or anyone else. Being independent is not easy thing to accomplish.It takes good planning and a good mind from the gecko. Living with your parents, should not have a negative feel to it and in this country parents are made to feel as if they have to get rid of their kids. Brazil is not alone in this one. In Europe you'll see a lot of young adults living at home. In Portugal, Spain, France and even in Germany children live with their families. In the Netherlands it is normal for a child to live with their parents while in school. In Italy, because of home prices, man sometimes stay with their families until they marry ( this one I am not so sure about :O). Sometimes if the land is big enough, a son/daughter will build their houses on the same plot, save money and have the family around. I used to live 15 from my in-laws in England, I loved it. My children were much happier there with them. I am very much family oriented, this has nothing to do with my upbringing, I just want to give my kids a good start in life, and living at home while in college will give them a better chance to survive in this crazy world. My son does his little jobs here and there, has his own "lawn mowing" business going on. Two years ago while the homes were still being built, he sat outside during the summer with an umbrella, a fan and a cooler selling coke and lemonade. He made more than $200 in a week. This is what I teach them, be responsible, save money and buy only the things that you can afford. Some parents here don't teach their kids how to be frugal, and then they have to rescue them from the financial woes.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/16/earlyshow/main2090521.shtml
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/5342886.stm
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=131001&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1004683&highlight (this is 2007 report from Monster.com)
http://www.marial.emory.edu/about/news/USA_Today_Shore_mar1606.htm

but the numbers of young adults living at home with their parents couldn't be more different than when comparing the U.S. and Brazil. In Brazil, nearly ALL young people at 20 years of ago are at home. Unless they are very poor and have pretty much been abandoned by their parents. Even very rich families that I know here in Brazil, they're children are still living at home in their mid 20's. Unlike most, there is no financial reason or advantage for them to be there. But here in Brazil, "mamai" goes a little overboard....trust me on this. I often wonder if it's not the principle reason that they're are so many fags in this country.

But here in Brazil, "mamai" goes a little overboard....trust me on this.

No Bo, Mamãe doesnt go "a little overboard",but "QUITE overboard". There is a tendency in our culture to pet the men and demand too much out of women. I guess it is much more intense in the Nordeste,where you live. In case you remember the exchange of comments between GTY and me, you might recall that he was complaining about his brother-in-law. Strong men are disliked by their Mom-in-laws,because they refuse to dance according to the music and tough on their brothers-in-law.

The daughters are supposed to behave well,assume responsibilites of the family and take care of their parents when they are old,while the sons are f**king around,divorcing and producing lots of off springs.And when in trouble they go to mamães or sisters and their husbands.No wonder GTY is pissed off

As for your statement, that this may be the principal reason for finding so many fags in this country, I am not so sure. I think that the fags and lessies are all over the world. But here, the society tolerates and accepts. Just like your nemesis Clodovil Hernandes! ( I cant stand him either,for different reasons)

Two years ago while the homes were still being built, he sat outside during the summer with an umbrella, a fan and a cooler selling coke and lemonade. He made more than $200 in a week. This is what I teach them, be responsible, save money and buy only the things that you can afford.

Congrats, Shelly. It is agood thing to teach the kids to be responsible,save money and buy only stuff that you can afford. Probably, because of your Dutch heritage and you are married to an Englishman. If you have read Bo´s posts as long as I have done, you would know that, though he comes from a wealthy family, the motto in his house was "Spare the rod and spoil the child". There are plenty of people in this part of the country (especailly in the rural areas) who still think the same.But unfortunately, they are getting extinct. There again, what do you expect, when the government itself is incentivating with programs like "Bolsa Familiar"?