Italians versus Brazilians
After growing up in Brazil and living in Italy for almost 5 years, I have a bunch of friends from both countries right now. I can't relate to women very much, so most of my experience is based on men ways of relating to me or other women. It is always funny to see how culture can influence in how people deal with common things in life. I have thought of 2 different situations to try to show how I see this cultural difference:
Situation 1: A girl leaves the country, and comes back a year later with 10kg (20 pounds) more than before. This is how a conversation would follow with a Brazilian and an Italian friend:
Brazilian guy: "Hey girl, what's up? Long time no see, did you have fun while you were abroad? Did you go out every night? I bet you saw all the best concerts! How are the beers there? And the people, were they nice to you? I bet you made out with all kinds of guys, huh? Did you learn the language? Let's have a barbecue and drink some beers and you tell me everything about it"
Italian guy: "Hey girl! what happened to you? I see you have been eating a lot! I understand, at that country they only have crappy food, they are not healthy and make you gain all that weight! Now that you are back you can eat some healthy salads and you will be fine. You also need a tan! Haven't you seen the sun for the past year? Dear lord! Vatti a fare una lampada! (go get some fake tan). Besides that, how was your trip?, Let's eat some pasta and drink some wine while you tell me everything about it!"
Situation 2: A guy meets a girl in at a club, and is telling about her to a girl friend of his:
Brazilian guy: "I met this nice girl yesterday at the club, man she was hot! She kept looking at me so I went to her and kissed her for like 2 hours! I really liked her! But then she had to go to the restroom, and another girl came along, and she was looking at me... I had to kiss her too you know, I need to prove I'm a man! Then I saw the girl from before, I was hoping she didn't see me kissing that other girl, but she probably did as she was already with another guy..."
Italian guy: "I saw this girl yesterday at the club, and she was sooo cute, I kept looking at her but she kept deviating her eyes, I think she was shy, I don't know. I went to talk to her, and tried to offer a drink, but she said she didn't know me, so she sent me away, but I would constantly catch her looking at me and pretending she wasn't looking when my eyes would catch her eyes. Damn I couldn't even get her name."
Of course this is a generalization, but it's pretty much how I see the difference between these 2 cultures. How do you see it? Do you agree with how I see it? If you know people from other cultures, try to think how they would respond to these 2 situations!




