Part 3. People in Brazil

I grew up in Russia and got used to the idea that if a stranger smiles at you, they are either on something or flirting with you.

Or both.

For all three years of travelling, I have been trying to get used to the fact that you cannot, damn it, walk around the streets with a permanent Slavic resting face all the time.

And then I came to Brazil.

The first smiles started at the airport

At passport control, the woman checking my documents gave me a huge smile. She wished me a good time in the country and said:

“Welcome to Brazil.”

Um, and no grilling me with questions about the purpose of my visit? No? Okay then...

I arrived with my cat. While we were walking with his carrier to the taxi, literally everyone we passed smiled at him and waved through the carrier.

What happened to the stone faces?

A seat at the table for strangers

When we wanted to watch a Brazil national team football match at a bar, every table was taken.

One group invited us to sit with them, ordered beer and happily helped us figure out the Portuguese menu.

What are you doing?

Aren’t you supposed to pretend you don’t see us and just ignore us?

A sweet from the barista

In São Paulo, I went to the same coffee shop every morning.

One day, my boyfriend went instead of me. He ordered my usual iced latte, and with the drink they gave him a brigadeiro as a gift — a big Brazilian chocolate sweet.

At first, we thought it was some kind of promotion.

The next morning, I went for coffee myself as usual. The barista showed me this message through a translator:

“Yesterday your boyfriend came to get coffee. I recognised him because you came in together once. I put a sweet in for you as a gift so you could try it. Did you like it?”

I literally cried.

Because he could have simply handed over the order without even wishing us a good morning.

And over two and a half months, we have collected so many stories like this.

What I am learning from Brazilians

Here I have met some of the kindest and most open people I have ever known.

From what I have seen, they simply do not understand how you can not smile, not wish someone a good day or not ask how they are doing.

I really love living in a reality where people want to help you and try to make sure you enjoy their country.

Without any hidden motive.

Simply because they are kind.

I am learning a lot from them.

At the very least, not to walk around the streets with a miserable face.

At most, to make small kind gestures for other people more often myself.

I genuinely love people and believe that everyone is good to begin with.

And it makes me very happy to see that belief confirmed in my new country of residence.

Previous part: “How I Ended Up in Brazil”