Brazil may be one of the world's largest economies with a growing middle class and reduced inequality, but consumer goods still tend to be very expensive there. As a result, Brazilians traveling abroad tend to buy all sorts of interesting things that are cheaper in other countries, from iPads to pacifiers.
I'm conducting a survey to find out the strangest things Brazilians buy in the United States, as well as surprising shopping requests by Brazilians for family members or friends traveling to the U.S.
Here are some real examples from friends:
- a boat anchor [request, not granted]
- a bicycle [request, granted]
- a Persian rug [request, not granted]
- baby clothes, bought before getting pregnant or having children [purchase]
- coffee, in K-cups [purchase]
Leave a comment here, share with me on Facebook or Twitter, or email me.
Image: Andre Manoel/Flickr.
Rogaine! Request begrudgingly granted.
Posted by: Karl | November 06, 2013 at 11:59 PM
Brought to friends in Sao Paulo recently:
Baby food
Baby clothes
Sunglasses
Very hard to understand why such items cost so much in a large country like Brazil.
Posted by: Adam | November 07, 2013 at 10:43 AM
Dickies work pants from Los Angeles. For a friend in a dance/graffiti/lowrider collective in São Paulo's zona sul inspired by classic LA cholo culture. Request granted.
Posted by: Vinncent | November 07, 2013 at 12:11 PM
I always come back to Brazil completely loaded with stuff. The secret is to tell people they have to order it online and have it shipped to wherever you're staying - no hassle, no exchange rate, no IOF, no running around hunting down whatever they have asked you to bring back. I've brought back all the usual stuff, Apple products, watches, video games, makeup... but I've had a few weird deliveries show up too, including 2 two-foot tall dolls, baby clothes galore, materials to make jewelry, fancy photography equipment (twice), a hands-free breast pump (the box was hillarious!), post-partum hip reduction belt, and the funniest of all - a vibrator!
Posted by: Melissa | November 07, 2013 at 09:22 PM
Oh, and I forgot, when I moved down here, a friend bought a 54-inch TV, a snowboard and ski boots and had me ship them down in my container with all my belongings.
People always ask me to bring back giant canisters of whey protein and energy/powder/work-out shake mixes from GVC too.
Posted by: Melissa | November 07, 2013 at 09:28 PM
Walker for friend's Mom. Cost 1/3 the price here compared to in Brazil...and free to bring on the plane.
Posted by: Pat Fletcher | November 08, 2013 at 08:51 AM