There is something very "carioca" that was a huge frustration for me early on, but that in these few months I have come to love.
Brazilians, especially the cariocas, will say a lot of different things just to end a conversation. A popular one is to say that they want to see you again soon, and, "Vamos marcar alguma coisa!" which means, "We'll schedule something!" For someone who is new in the city with no friends, hearing that is a like a ray of light from heaven. Wow, I might actually have plans this weekend!
But then, nobody schedules anything. Even when something was actually scheduled - for example, a couple of girls from work knew that I would love this "Feira de Paraibas", a nightly festival that celebrates northeastern Brazilian culture, and made plans for all of us to go after work on a Friday night. I went to work that day dressed up a little, really excited to go. At the end of the day, I waited, expecting someone to say something, but then everybody just said goodbye and went home. Not wanting to be the annoying puppy, I also just went home, but I was confused. Didn't we schedule this? This was an actual plan, right? Did I imagine it?
I did not imagine it. Turns out, it is just a carioca thing to make these empty plans with no intention of actually doing the thing you planned. So when I was new, you can imagine how frustrating this was. But now - wow - this works to get me out of ANYTHING that I don't want to do! That annoying girl who you want nothing to do with? Sure, we'll go out some night! (The key here is to never mention any specific night). That guy who you always see out and about in your neighborhood who keeps asking you to have a drink? Sure, this week is busy, but we'll get together sometime! Even that person at work who you don't want to have lunch with? Sure, I have a lot of meetings today but we'll make it happen!
Cariocas, you have been sitting on a goldmine of empty promises. Bravo for this one!
Brazilians, especially the cariocas, will say a lot of different things just to end a conversation. A popular one is to say that they want to see you again soon, and, "Vamos marcar alguma coisa!" which means, "We'll schedule something!" For someone who is new in the city with no friends, hearing that is a like a ray of light from heaven. Wow, I might actually have plans this weekend!
But then, nobody schedules anything. Even when something was actually scheduled - for example, a couple of girls from work knew that I would love this "Feira de Paraibas", a nightly festival that celebrates northeastern Brazilian culture, and made plans for all of us to go after work on a Friday night. I went to work that day dressed up a little, really excited to go. At the end of the day, I waited, expecting someone to say something, but then everybody just said goodbye and went home. Not wanting to be the annoying puppy, I also just went home, but I was confused. Didn't we schedule this? This was an actual plan, right? Did I imagine it?
I did not imagine it. Turns out, it is just a carioca thing to make these empty plans with no intention of actually doing the thing you planned. So when I was new, you can imagine how frustrating this was. But now - wow - this works to get me out of ANYTHING that I don't want to do! That annoying girl who you want nothing to do with? Sure, we'll go out some night! (The key here is to never mention any specific night). That guy who you always see out and about in your neighborhood who keeps asking you to have a drink? Sure, this week is busy, but we'll get together sometime! Even that person at work who you don't want to have lunch with? Sure, I have a lot of meetings today but we'll make it happen!
Cariocas, you have been sitting on a goldmine of empty promises. Bravo for this one!
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