While I have come to terms with being appropriately late for the Brazilian birthday party, I still have issue with other events. Of course, sometimes you just can’t help it.
However, yesterday we were invited to a barbecue at a friend’s house. Our morning activities just took longer than expected. So it was well past the requested arrival time that we got into the car.
And I didn’t even feel bad.
I figured the merriment would have commenced with the other guests (if THEY were even there yet) and maybe we would miss the appetizers.
Except when we got there, turns out we were the only guests. Ugh. And they were hungry. At least their daughter was hungry.
So while I was OK being Braziliantly late yesterday, I don’t think I’ll do it again.
born again brazilian 
We had a party yesterday too, but we usually get to these things 30-60 mins late, and that way the party is usually partly underway, and there are always loads of people who arrive after we do so no need to feel strangly about it. I love this! Because especially with a child, we’re always running late. I am ready to run out the door and suddenly my son announces it’s his “poopy time”…which can take forever. Plus traffic always has a part in this as well. I love “flex-time”.
I love it too because whenever I have a dinner party (or a birthday party) I’m always running behind with preparations, and everyone is always late, i.e. just in time for me!
But like you said, a more intimate gathering I do TRY to get us there around the scheduled time, but honestly, we’re ALWAYS late. Even if I get us out the door on time, it can take 20 minutes to go 1/2 mile to get across the main street where we live sometimes since the signals aren’t well timed. I don’t stress about it, out of my control!
I’m slowly (very) getting there!
I was thinking about another challenge for you: sit on the same side of the table when going out to eat as your husband. You know how in the States we tend to sit across from our date/loved one? At least in Brasilia the couples sit side by side on one side of the table. You could do that :).
That’s a great one! I always thought that was so awkward but I see it all the time. I’ll add it to my list!
I second Meredith’s challenge and would like to add that you should go to Starbucks after dinner and make out 🙂 That happened much more frequently than I cared to see when we were in SP!
HA! Ok, on the list! They have conveniently added a Starbucks to the corner of Rua Augusta and (I think) Al. Jaú.
Ooops! The one time not to be late 🙂
I’ve gotten so into the flow, I don’t even notice when people are late or when I’m late.
As you sit beside your husband and make out in Starbucks tell him to ask you “você trabalha na fabrica da Fiat?” and you react with “não, por que?” for him to then romantically explain ” porque você faz o meu Tipo”.
You should experience the cheesy pick up line in Portuguese in your quest for Brazilianity. Fyi, that specific pick up line does occur, and no: it never ends with people making out (so I’ve been informed, of course).
HA! Maybe those lines are better for a cocktail lounge.
We’ve noticed that ‘sitting on the same side’ thing too. It just looks so uncomfortable, like they don’t even want to look at each other. Brian and I always sit across from each other and I wonder what they must think. Does anybody know why this is a thing? I’m curious.
And the making out! It’s everywhere! lol. You should see the beach front here, covered with couples very nearly having sex. Tongues down each other’s throats, sitting on laps, tangled up like wrestling puppies, and oblivious to the world around them. Nobody bats an eyelash. Funny.
I do have to say, I’m glad we live in a country where I can freely kiss my hot husband, rub his back, hold his hand and even make out a bit wherever we are, lol.
brazilian couples prefer sitting next to each other to be closer i think. But I do think they make eye contact a lot.
reasons could be whispering in the other s ears and holding hands , kissing or even making out : )
HA! When I first met my husband, I thought his PDA (public display of affection) ways were way awkward. I had never dated someone like that (for very long). But eventually, we met in the middle. (well, more on my side of the middle) So I really shouldn’t be so surprised by it, but I had forgotten.
i am sorry if i am being intrusive but awkward in what way? what would you say were the biggest differences dating an american and a brazilian
No worries! Open forum here.
It’s hard for me to tell because my husband’s culture was influenced by his German father and grandparents. But I got a much better picture from actually moving here. Brazilian met are more confident in complimenting women, seem to be more confident in general. But their view also seem more rigid than American guys in terms of what the role of a man and a woman is (i.e. machismo).
Wow, surpised at the reation to sitting side-by-side. Me (Irish) and my (Japanese) husband love to do it. We are people -watchers extraordinaire and love closeness and camaraderie of it. Do feel weird sometimes doing it in NYC…
I can totally see my husband and I sitting side-by-side in an Irish pub running character analyses of the patrons. But not in a Japanese restaurant in NYC. Thanks for your input! Very interesting how this is perceived by different people.