I’m looking for people to share information about their native land, their culture, their language, their religious beliefs, and anything else that the typical white English person doesn’t understand. In the hopes of better understanding the lifestyles and opinions of people in different countries, I want to collect together all kinds of information.
If you are of a nationality other than English/American, please share your culture with us! I hope to be able to use your comments for a featured page about your nationality. Help us correct people’s biased opinions, and help eradicate racial prejudice. Thank you!
Laura said,
November 17, 2009 @ 8:29 pm
I’m brazilian
Ask me any questions about my culture and I’ll be happy to answer!
One said,
November 17, 2009 @ 11:50 pm
Thanks!
That would be great!
Where to start…
1) What do foreign people usually assume of you when they meet you? For example, any stereotypes, or perhaps they mistake you for a different nationality altogether?
2) What is your nation’s religion(s)? Could you give us a brief summary of what that religion believes?
3) Could you tell us something about your country that tourists don’t usually see? Something that only the people born and raised in Brazil see?
4) What kind of customs or habits do your people have that foreigners might find unusual? Maybe you could help us understand them better.
5) What kinds of food would you usually eat? Any recipes you can share?
Really, there’s too much that people don’t know or understand about other cultures and countries. It’s a shame. But even a few answers can help, so thank you very much!
Laura said,
November 18, 2009 @ 9:45 pm
This is gonna be loooong…
1-Americans assume all brazilians live in a rainforest. The ones who don’t think that think that there are beautiful beaches and women wherever you look at. And something that irritates me is when people think we speak Spanish as a principal language. Yes, it’s South America, but or main language is Portuguese. And I have the impression that people assume that all men are black, laid-back (in a bad way) and does “samba” everyday. It’s not like that.
2-Uh-oh, you got the wrong person to talk about that. I’m atheist. But religions vary a lot, since there are immigrants from all places in Earth.
3-I guess people think it’s a wonderful land with amazing people. Not exactly. I see racism, prejudice and poverty everyday. Sometimes people subestime what they have, always wanting more (that applies for any nation). Some people doesn’t have conditions to go to school, and unfortunately some need to rob to survive. That isn’t uncommom.
4-Right now I really can’t remember of any habits people that weren’t born here may find weird. But if you know any, tell me
5-I guess I can’t really be useful on this one, sorry! I don’t know what usually Americans eat to compare, but I don’t see a huge difference.
And I’m SO SORRY I couldn’t be more ‘fluent’ or express myself better, I’m just 14 and trying to improve my english – as you could see, it’s not good
Happy to Help!
One said,
November 18, 2009 @ 11:25 pm
Wow, you mean English isn’t your native language? You’re really good at it!
Thank you for your help! It’s an insight into the unseen parts of Brazil. I live in England, and people in this country always think of Brazil as a tropical paradise where only fantastic footballers and hot women live
I guess like many countries there are wealthy people who live in luxury while poor people try to survive.
When you say racism, what kind do you mean? Is there a particular group or nationality that Brazilian people are prejudiced against? Also, could you maybe teach us a Portuguese phrase or two?
Thanks again!
Laura said,
November 20, 2009 @ 12:12 am
Let’s see if I can explain this way: some people may not see it, but I see a lot of ignorance in TV shows and even music. Basically media exploits sex to gain views from people that aren’t much advanced in sense of money and education. I don’t know how to explain this, it’s just something we grow up seeing.
-Fico feliz em ajudar! (Happy to help!)
-Vamos salvar o planeta da ignorância. (Let’s save the planet from ignorance)
Not that hard, huh?
Laura said,
November 21, 2009 @ 10:03 pm
You’re welcome! And if you need more feedback, just shout and I’ll help
haha
One said,
November 21, 2009 @ 6:12 pm
I see. So the media use sex to influence people, just like in the US and UK where it is used in advertising and TV shows. It seems that many countries are controlled by the media, and told what to buy, how to dress, and even how to think. Sex is definately the main seller. You are a very perceptive teenager, unlike most young people, who are often blind to the problems of society. Thank you for your feedback, and the phrases
I don’t think I’ll be able to pronounce them, but I’ll try!