The offline get-together in Rio really convinced me of InterNations. It is so much more than just an online plattform. People living in Rio de Janeiro are commonly referred to as Cariocas , a term derived from the name which Tupi Indians gave the houses first built by Portuguese settlers. The term does not only refer to the local population but includes everybody who has settled down in Rio de Janeiro and has taken up the relaxed lifestyle found in Rio de Janeiro.
However, expats living in Rio de Janeiro often take a while to get used to said lifestyle. This is particularly the case if you value punctuality. Throughout Brazil, time is a rather flexible concept and arriving half an hour late is quite common. Another aspect of life in Rio de Janeiro you need to get used to when making friends with Cariocas is that touching and kissing is a typical aspect of friendly interaction.
Both men and women living in Rio de Janeiro tend to greet each other with kisses on the cheeks. Although this has no romantic or sexual connotation whatsoever, it may take some time for you to adjust.
The people themselves are very open and welcoming, always going out of their way to help expats settle in. Unfortunately, these slums are also rather problematic areas. The districts are constantly battling drug use, police brutality, and shootings. The latter are particularly dangerous as stray bullets tend to cause major damage. Despite their shaky reputation, the Favelas are still home to working families who simply try to make a living. But because of their reputation, even the term is not considered to be exactly politically correct.
Instead these districts are often referred to as morro hill , in contrast to asfalto asphalt , the richer and safer areas of Rio. As a consequence, the term favelado favela resident also sounds rather derogatory. It is advisable to use the term morador da comunidade instead. Carnival in Rio is probably the most famous and exciting event in the entire calendar. People from around the world come to visit for this annual event and local Samba schools prepare for it all year.
