So I would just like to write about Brazilian stereotypes. This post is meant to be funny and for a laugh. I'm not trying to be rude about people who have these stereotypes and I know that not everyone actually says stuff like this. I'm sure I have many stereotypes about other countries myself, so just enjoy!
1) I will start with something personal to myself, but I'm sure people with my surname will relate. Whenever I tell someone that my name is Beatriz Gomes they either say "oh are you Spanish?" or "are you related to Selena Gomez?" NO. I am not Spanish nor am I from a Hispanic country. I'm also not related to Selena Gomez, firstly because my surname is spelt with an S not a Z and secondly even if it was spelt the same, Gomez/Gomes is such a popular surname you can't surely think everyone with the surname is related to Selena Gomez?!
2) If I tell someone I'm from Brazil they ask me "so do you speak Spanish?" Nope, I do not speak Spanish, Brazil speaks Portuguese - P O R T U G U E S E.
3) People also tend to call me Mexican, and when I correct them telling them I am Brazilian they respond with "same thing". Same thing? HOW IN THE WORLD ARE MEXICO AND BRAZIL THE "SAME THING". This one makes me really mad.
4) People tend to think that the capital of Brazil is either Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo or of course Buenos Aires! There are more places in Brazil than just Rio and São Paulo. Buenos Aires isn't even in Brazil it's the capital of Argentina. The capital of Brazil is Brasília, yup it's as simple as that.
5) A lot of people have the idea that Brazil is a really dangerous place. This point I understand because sometimes I even get a little bit scared at the thought of going there because of some stories I have heard. However I want to point out that there is danger and crime everywhere in the world, yes there is less in countries like England for example but something can happen to you anywhere. Plus I have never had a bad experience there and it's not as bad as people make it out to be.
6) Everyone says to me "you're Brazilian so you must love football!" Yes ok, I do like football but just about as much as most other girls do (I only tend to get excited for the World Cup). My dad claims that he hates football, so there's a Brazilian who doesn't love football for you!
7) For some reason people think that the entire of Brazil either looks like Rio or the Amazon. Yes those are beautiful famous places in Brazil but, Brazil is so much bigger than that and it is full of other amazing places to go see and things to do! Did you know there's a town with a giant public telephone, traffic light etc. funny isn't it.
8) Many people tend to think that Brazilians are short with dark hair and tanned skin. I guess I kind of fit this stereotype then - minus the dark skin because English weather does not allow me to tan. However there are plenty of people all over Brazil who are tall and blonde, Chinese, coloured and more. Brazil is a very diverse country with people from all over the world. I once heard a comment "I didn't know there were blonde people in Brazil so I was shocked when I saw them there." Wow.
9) If someone does know that they don't speak Spanish in Brazil there's always the comment "well you're Brazilian so that means you're not Latina because you don't speak Spanish". Nope that's incorrect, actually I am Latina. I am NOT Hispanic but I am Latina. A Latina or Latino is someone who comes from countries who's languages originated from Latin. So in fact a French person is technically a "Latino". However the term Latino is usually associated with Latin America but Brazil is still part of Latin America so therefore I am still Latina.
10) There is the stereotype that in Brazil it is always Carnival. Actually it is an annual festival which is held during the Friday to the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday to mark the beginning of Lent. IT IS NOT CARNIVAL 365 DAYS A YEAR.
There are many more stereotypes I could tell you but those to me are the main ones, I will leave you with this tweet by Latina Magazine, see if you can spot the mistake...
Bea xxx
