Expert: Sandra - 8/5/2010

Question
Hi Sandra,

I am engaged to a Brazilian man who is from Sao Paulo. Soon after our
wedding we plan to Sao Paulo. I am very excited to begin my new life
with him but I am nervous about the potential culture shock. What are
some of the major differences you notice about life in Brazil vs life in the
US? I am hoping your answer can ease my worries.

Thanks,
Tia

Answer
Love conquers all ?!

I assume by Sao Paulo you mean the capitol city (or the area, Grande Sao Paulo or ABCD paulista)and not the more rural parts of the state of the same name. It is a huge highrise city, which may take some getting used to if you don't currently live in Manhattan.
You should find people in Sao Paulo who speak English (until you have enough Portuguese to get by), but this is not true of te majority of the country, so I would advise starting to learn Portuguese (if you don't speak it well already).

So, a few things that come to mind.....

One big difference is standard of living. You would need considerably more money in Brazil to have the same level of comfort as in the U.S. Many things are much more expensive in Brazil, and the quality can be significantly inferior, from a simple table fan or a child's toy, to sofa/chairs or good bedsheets, to electronics of any kind, to cars. If your husband has family money or a high-paying job, or you are less of a consumer in the U.S., you may feel the pinch less.

On the other hand, services, like that of a full time maid or repiar of items, are cheap. Having a low-paid servant, with all the attendant and uncomfortable class difference issues, may take a bit of getting used to for someone from the U.S., however.

Crime is always a question that arises when speaking of Brazil, and you would do well to learn how to prepare and to cope on a daily basis in a way that becomes second nature (as it is to Brazilians).

Brazilians are usually very warm and welcoming people. However, they tend to say what they think will please or avoid a controversy, and then not follow through, which can be disconcerting for people from the U.S. If someone invites us over for dinner, we expect the invitation to be for real, not just pleasant words. If someone tells us they will come for dinner or a party at our house, we expect them to show up. You may find it different in Brazil.
Also, a lot is done through connections. You are more likely to find a job through someone your husband's family knows than because of your credentials.

Those are a few things that come to mind quickly. Hope they help a bit. Don't know if they'll comfort or not.

Congratulations on your marriage and best wishes for your new life.