In Rio, What Is Your Number?
I consider myself a collector. I collect identification documents.
I don’t want to collect documents, though. If I could, I would collect Star Wars merchandise.
I have less Funko Pop Star Wars figures than I have identification documents
The Brazilian Way
Brazil is known for its excessive bureaucracy. I understand the reason why. In Brazil, we have a culture of outsmarting everyone, no matter what. We have to be smarter than the next guy. Otherwise, the next guy will be smarter than us.
Smart in a questionable way.
I have worked with a Portuguese businesswoman for a while and she taught me that there is a saying in Portugal:
“Brazil is the Zeca’s Country.”
Zeca in Portugal, means someone who you cannot trust. A Zeca will always try to pull the rug underneath your feet for personal advantage.
In Brazil, this is known as Jeitinho Brasileiro, the Brazilian Way. The difference is that, in Brazil, the Jeitinho is glorified. You are actually considered smart if you outmaneuver the rules to gain advantages.
This is also known around here as Lei de Gerson, or Gerson’s Law. Who is Gerson?
Gerson was the mastermind in Brazil’s midfield when we won the World Cup of 1970.
His “Law” was created in popular culture after a commercial he did.
Here is a translated transcription:
“Gerson, the brain in the 1970's team. You, who have always been a smoker, why Vila Rica?”
“It’s hard to say why one likes a good cigarette. I like Vila Rica because it tastes good, it’s smooth and doesn’t sore your throat. Look at the color of this tobacco. And the long filter really makes it smooth.”
Then, the closure:
“Why pay more, if Vila gives me everything I want from a good cigarette? I like to take advantage of everything, right? Take advantage you too!”
I won’t even comment on the fact that this is a professional athlete advertising a cigarette. A sign of the times.
So, there you go, the official declaration of Gerson’s Law:
“I like to take advantage of everything”
This is just a statement that reflects the Brazilian culture and how we behave.
Some people defend this, saying that this cultural trait is what makes us so creative. We constantly think outside the box. It comes naturally to us. The rules exist to be bent. Taking advantage is what should be at the top of an entrepreneur’s mind.
Some people say this is unacceptable behavior and this is exactly what, taken to an extreme, throws our country in extreme corruption for personal gain.
I think both sides have their fair share of reason.
However, I would prefer a country with less creative people and less corruption. The trade is not fair as it is.
Bureaucracy
As a counter-measure for people taking advantage of….everything, Brazil has a long history of bureaucracy.
Any simple process requires many papers, documents, signatures, signature recognition and so on.
Check this other article to read a nice story about signatures.
Identification Documents
IDs are a reflection of our bureaucratic, defensive model.
Born Alive Declaration
Let’s start with the youngest, the Born Alive Declaration, introduced in 2012.
Before 2012, you were born and the hospital issued a paper indicating you were born. Your parents took that to a Cartório, where a Birth Certificate would be issued.
After 2012, the hospital issues a Born Alive Declaration and it has a number. This is now a valid identification number.
The other day I was shocked by the fact that an employer asked this document to a friend, even though he has all the consequent documents that derive from this one.
Birth Certificate
This usually is considered the identification document of a child. It is a one-page document that indicates where you were born, who are your parents, etc.
After 2012, it also contains your Born Alive Declaration number.
In most cities, kids are registered in their first five days of life. So, in 5 days, a person already has two identification numbers.
General Registration
This is the master ID card. It has a photo, fingerprint and signature.
Even though it is issued by State entities, it has national validity. Numbering varies according to the State, though.
You need a Birth Certificate to have this one.
Natural Person Registry
This is a federal unique identifier. This is connected to the Income Tax Report that every citizen shall declare yearly.
If you work, you need one of those.
It is not valid as identification, because of its lack of photo and signature.
However, this is used as a personal identifier in many services and/or websites, due to its unique standard all over the country.
Military Discharge Certificate
All boys that turn 18 must enlist themselves for mandatory military service.
Not everyone stays for the 10 to 18 months of the service. Most are discharged.
When you are discharged, you get a Military Discharge Certificate.
This document is required when you try to obtain a passport, for example.
Voter Identification
Voting is mandatory in Brazil. When you turn 18, you must request the issuing of a Voter ID.
It has an unique numbering in the whole country.
You use this document when voting. However, in the latest years, it is also acceptable to vote using your General Registration ID.
This document is required when you try to obtain a passport, for example.
Driver’s License
In the latest years, this document also carries your General Registration Number and your Natural Person Registry Number.
For people carrying driver’s licenses, it is a little bit easier. It is a valid identification document, as it has both a photo and a signature.
However, it still is a single document containing three numbers.
Work Card
Actually, this looks more like a little book. Similar to a passport.
You need one of those if you want to get a job.
In it, your employer will write down some things, stamp others, related to your life as an employee at that company. For example:
- Salary
- Vacations
- Hire/Fire date
- Deposits in the Federal Pension System
This document will validate your rights related to retirement, unemployment benefits, etc.
Social Integration Program Card
This other unique identifier is closely related to the Work Card. Everything your employer deposits, related to benefits, are deposited at the Federal Bank under this identifier.
With this identifier, the person can have access to benefits such as:
- Yearly bonus
- Unemployment Insurance
- Retirement Payments
There’s been discussion lately on unifying all the IDs, which is the smart thing to do. Also, the technology is available. In Rio, though, you get used to the unwritten rule:
“If it is good for the people, it is not done.”
The documents I listed are only the mandatory ones. When you die, your Death Certificate shall list ALL of those.
One thing should be equal in all Death Certificates: the cause of death.
“Too many identification numbers!”
