São Paulo, Brazil
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Introduction
The purpose of this blog is to provide a fun and interesting look into a “day in the life” of someone from São Paulo, Brazil. Whether you are interested in how someone from São Paulo communicates with others, what they wear, where they go, or what your own experience may be like if you were to travel there in your near future, this is the blog for you! I am going to begin by providing a brief history of some of the famous places and events that are found in this region. Then, I am going to offer a fresh and modern taste into what the ultimate day would look like in the beautiful region of São Paulo.
Brief History
São Paulo is the most populous city in Brazil, in the Americas, and the world’s twelfth largest city by population. The city has significant cultural, economic and political influence both nationally and internationally. In fact, São Paulo is the home to several important monuments, parks and museums such as the Latin American Memorial, the Ibirapuera Park, Museum of Ipiranga, São Paulo Museum of Art, and the Museum of the Portuguese Language.
One of the most popular events in São Paulo is the Parada do Orgulho LGBT de São Paulo (São Paulo LGBT Pride Parade). This annual gay pride parade has been occurring since 1997. In 2006, the parade was considered the biggest of the world by the Guinness Book of World Records and was elected the best of the world.
Furthermore, the beautiful and populous city of São Paulo was a host of the FIFA World Cup in both 1950 and 2014. The games were played in the Arena Corinthians, a sports stadium which has a seating capacity of 47,605, making it the fifth-largest stadium used by teams in the top tier of the Brazilian League and the eleventh-largest in Brazil.
What to Do & Say
In this section, I am going to provide a guide for what to do, what to say, and where to go in São Paulo, Brazil. In order to do this, I will describe four of the most common activities that are experienced by a native from São Paulo. These activities include the beach life, the gym, the best restaurants, and the night life. Allow me to paint a picture of what the ultimate day in this beautiful city would look like…
Greetings
Before traveling to São Paulo, it is important to understand that the main language spoken is Portuguese. Although you may not know how to speak the language, it is still necessary to know how to greet an unfamiliar face to avoid coming off rude or disrespectful. The standard greeting for women includes one “kiss” on opposite cheeks in which a kissing noise is made and the cheeks come into contact with one another. Hence, the opposite cheeks will touch while making a smooching sound, however the lips will never actually make contact with the skin. Men also greet women in this manner.
Men, on the other hand, greet each other with a firm handshake and a one-armed pat on the back. In other words, they are holding the other’s hand, while patting each other’s backs with the other hand.
The Beach
The best beach to go to while in São Paulo is Riviera de São Lourenço. This is a private beach located on the outskirts of the city in which you can rent an apartment or house to travel to and from throughout the day. Although there are options to stay in hotels, an apartment or house is a much better way to go as you can make your own meals and split the cost among several people. Because the beach is private, the neighborhoods and community surrounding the water are clean and safe. If you are looking for a beach in which you can layout, swim, relax, and enjoy the scenery… this is the beach for you!
Before going to the beach however, it is important to be informed on what to wear and how to act. In general, men wear speedos and women wear bikinis. However, one would may look quite awkward if they were to show up in an American-style bathing suit. It is part of the brazilian culture to show skin while at the beach. Thus, most bikini bottoms for women are in a thong-type style in which more skin is revealed.
While at the beach, it is also common for women to be approached by men. If the men invite you and your friends to a nightclub later that night, it is polite to give them your number and thank them for the invitation. However, in order to avoid any harmful situations, it is always important to find your own ride and meet them there rather than riding with them alone.
The Gym
After spending your morning or afternoon at the beach, it is common for one to go to the gym before getting ready for dinner. One of the nicest gyms in São Paulo is known as BodyTech. This gym offers multiple classes, equipment, and facilities — meeting all of your needs for a good workout.
Again, before going to a Brazilian gym it is important to know what to wear. Similar to in America, men usually wear shorts and a T-shirt with tennis shoes while working out. The women in São Paulo, however, typically wear exotic workout clothes with abstract patterns on their tops and bottoms. In fact, the most common types of leggings and shorts are shiny or patterned with different designs.
The restaurant
While visiting São Paulo, the number one restaurant that I recommend going to is called Bistrô L’Entrecôte d’Olivier. The restaurant is owned and run by a French-Brazilian chef, businessman, and television presenter named Olivier Anquier. This famous restaurant is located in one of the nicest neighborhoods of São Paulo, called Jardim Europa.
The restaurant serves a simple single-choice menu: Entrecôte (a premium cut of beef used for steak) with bottomless french fries. The simplicity of the menu goes to show just how good this meal really tastes. The steak is tenderly cooked with the infamous green sauce served on top — Olivier’s signature mark that keeps people guessing and wanting more.
In addition to the main meal, you may also order different types of breads and wines. Furthermore, while waiting for the main meal to come out, you are brought a seasoned green salad with vinaigrette, classic mustard, and walnuts. Finally, after you have finished your meal, you can top off your night with a wonderful dessert by choosing between the great chocolate mousse or the tiramisu! The standard price for a meal at Olivier’s restaurant runs between 71 reasis ($79) and 105 reais ($117), depending on which additional food items/drinks you may order.
Just like any other restaurant you eat at in São Paulo, it is important to dress to impress! Men typically wear nice jeans, a button-up shirt, and a blazer. Whereas women typically wear heels or close-toed shoes, with a dress or skirt.
The Nightclubs
Night life in São Paulo is anything but boring. The most common activity that people engage in at night is going to nightclubs. In order to top off the ultimate São Paulo experience, you must go to at least one of the following nightclubs during your visit: D.Edge, Pink Elephant, or Josephine. Prices typically range from 50-70 reais ($56–78) for women and 130–150 reais ($145–168) for men. The clubs are mostly a single entry fee in which you get a wristband or card to charge alcohol to throughout the night.
The dancing at nightclubs is much different than dancing in the United States. Rather than grinding from behind, all dancing is done from the front. It is also normal for men and women to kiss more than one person a night. A kiss on the lips at a club in São Paulo means that you are attracted to the person. However, often times this does not mean anything more than an attraction to each other and it is not rare to dance/kiss with several people in one night.
The clothing at clubs is a good mixture of classy and sexy. It would not be appropriate to show too much skin (short skirts/shorts), but at the same time it is encouraged to wear clothing that compliments your figure. Men are expected to wear nice pants/jeans with a button-up shirt, leaving the top buttons open. Women, on the other hand, are expected to wear tight dresses/skirts, with heels, and lots of jewelry.
What to wear?
In order to plan your outfits for the ultimate São Paulo experience… it is necessary to check out Thássia Naves’ blog and Instagram accounts. Her fashion sites provide cute, fun, and trendy outfits for any and all occasions!
Conclusion
Between the beaches, the gyms, the food, and the night life… São Paulo provides great opportunities for adventure and travel. Thank you for checking out my blog and I hope you got a taste of what the ultimate day in the beautiful city of São Paulo would look like!
Disclaimer: This article was written as part of an Intercultural Communication class at University of Nebraska — Lincoln under the direction of Jennifer Kienzle. Students chose different regions of the world to explore the unique history and cultural practices in those places. Please contact Jennifer Kienzle at jen@huskers.unl.edu if you have any questions or comments.
