Rio Gringa's Stereotype Scale

Once in awhile, I take a look at international mainstream media stories about Brazil to show how stereotypes, misconceptions, and cliches are constantly perpetuated by the press, like this Australian story I discussed, and the infamous "like a guava tree" story.

So I decided to come up with a scale to judge mainstream media stories about Brazil, ten being the most stereotyped and one being the least:

10 - Thong Worshiper

9 - Samba Skank

8 - Amazon Injun

7 - Nympho Nut

6 - Beach Bum

5 - Kai pee reenya Kate

4 -  Cachacahead

3 - Fox Newscaster

2 - Hungover Harry

1 - Professional Journalist

Let's take a look at this week's offerings:

Putting the brakes on car theft, BBC: It's no secret that I use BBC as my main source of news, and for good reason: they like to use facts in their stories. What a novel idea! As such, this author gets a 1 for sticking to facts and restraining himself from stirring in sensationalist little adjectives and tidbits.

Beer-Loving Brazilians Adapt to the Dry Law, Washington Post: Even though many Brazilians do love them some beer, just from the title we're going to have to add a point, and the use of the word "debauchery" also deserves another point. The use of the words samba, caipirinha, beaches, and beer all in the lead also win another point, even though the story is about drinking. Finally, a final point is given due to the implication that all Brazilians ever do is party and drink. Nevertheless, I happen to really like this story, and wholeheartedly agree that some laws in Brazil are meaningless because they are improperly enforced or not enforced at all. You sir, receive the honor of a Cachacahead.

Two sets of tales from Rio's underbelly, Seattle Times: Even though this is a book review about two novels from famous Brazilian authors, that doesn't excuse the writer from overdoing it. You've got your beach stereotypes, your hot Brazilian body stereotypes, your sex stereotypes, your tropical paradise stereotypes, and the bloody violence stereotypes. It's all there. I hereby proclaim this writer a Nympho Nut.

Girls, guys, and hair gel on Ipanema Beach, the UK Telegraph: Ok, technically this was written by an amateur and not a professional journalist, but it was picked as one of the best stories in the "Year of Discovery" travel writing contest the newspaper held, so it counts. Frankly, I think it's dreadful, between the poor writing and plethora of stereotypes she manages to wedge in merely five hundred words. You, madam, are officially a Samba Skank. Better luck next time!

Comments

[shiftpro]

You know Rachel, sometimes stereotypes are true. I would have agreed completely with you maybe 5 years ago but now, after spending 6 months a year in Brasil for the last 6 years I must say these stories hit the nail on head. At least the way I see things.

[shiftpro]

You know Rachel, sometimes stereotypes are true. I would have agreed completely with you maybe 5 years ago but now, after spending 6 months a year in Brasil for the last 6 years I must say these stories hit the nail on head. At least the way I see things.

[shiftpro]

You know Rachel, sometimes stereotypes are true. I would have agreed completely with you maybe 5 years ago but now, after spending 6 months a year in Brasil for the last 6 years I must say these stories hit the nail on head. At least the way I see things.

[Patricia]

Hi Rachel!

Happy Holidays!
I don't agree with the guy up here.. to think that things in Rio are true about all of Brazil, is to think that Ibiza is what Spain is all about. I don't like any kinds of stereotypes in fact.

After meeting people from so many countries, i don't really thing Brazilians are the drunk ones.. maybe less responsable while drinking.. but anyone who has been out with Australian or Irish people know that Brazilians are up for some good competition ;)

I wish I could be at the beach for Reveillon...Enjoy!

[ajoy]

The drinking one is the worst! Brazilians may love beer, but so do Americans, Germans, Irish... I could go on all day. Furthermore, people all over the world get drunk from drinking too much! It's somewhat absurd to insert it into something that's a part of "Brazilian culture", as if they are the drunks of the world.

The comments relating drunks with "Carnival culture" are ridiculous as well. When I lived in New Orleans I hated it when people assumed that everyone in New Orleans partied all day, everyday, that Mardi Gras was prime time for Adult Activity right in front of children and that the whole city was like Bourbon Street. I guess New Orleans residents live "Mardi Gras culture". Whatever... Residents usually don't even go to Bourbon Street, unless they live in the French Quarter or they have guests in town who want to go. I am sure that most residents of Rio aren't out getting drunk all the time either, but they may drink a little more on certain occasions, like normal people everywhere.

[Eduardo Sant'Anna]

yeah... stereotypes should always be avoided.

In my view as a carioca born and bred in the North of Rio (would it make me "carioca da clara"?!), I still insist that even the stereotype that cariocas are always at the beach is untrue. I've always gone to the beach on special ocasions only: some long public holidays, vacation, carnival and that's it. And interestingly enough: 90% of the times I would go to "Região dos Lagos" or even another state, and not exactly to the beaches in the city itself.

Even though I have no official statistics to base my thoughts on,
I keep saying that cariocas that go to the beach often (every week or even every month) are a small 10-20% of the population.

I believe most of us that don't have the beach on the doorstep simply don't bother fighting 1hr traffic + crowds + "flanelinhas" every weekend. It simply doesn't sound much like fun after an exhausting week at work.