2005 Rio de Janeiro Reports

[Snooky]

Most of this seems completely insane to Americans. People will debate whether or not the US is really a meritocracy, but Americans at least BELIEVE that it is. We generally feel the way to get ahead is to work hard, be smart, innovate, and seize opportunities when they become available. Brazilians see personal connections as the way to get ahead. You find someone who is already rich and powerful and ride the wave behind their motor yacht.

It's the same way here in the US. Hard work and innovation only take you so far. It's who you know, who you trust, who trusts you that takes you over the top and offers you the opportunities to seize.

[Pyjama]

No action, no nude girls, sorry! Just two normal girls walking by in downtown Rio. What a difference. And for my taste even the slim girl's bunda is a bit fat and out of shape.

[Fartknocker]

There is no telling what that girl was up to. She might have met one (or all) of those three guys while we were apart for a few seconds at the Nuth and they could have slipped there phone number to her. I don't really know, but like I've said before it's not easy for me to trust people that I meet in Rio. It can be hard to read people there, because most of them seem genuinely sincere, but then again you never know...

Your Paulista might have just invited a few friends along for a free night out on the gringo. I've had gf's do this to me often enough to where I stopped getting annoyed. Usually this particular Brazilian scam-lite takes the form of one, or at most two, friends getting themselves invited along. These friends are normally female, but the occasional male/female couple will wind up getting an invite from the gf. Often in Brazil the richest guy at the table will pay the check, so these invitees are happy to come along in the hopes that you will do the same.

The whole reason behind this nonsense is "status". Until you understand the Brazilian status system and its pervasiveness, you can never really understand these people. I can't claim that I fully get it, but I usually know that it is at work when I see it. Friends getting invited along unexpectedly often is the result of a status play on the part of your gf. She gets a status bump from dating a rich American/European, and you and her both get a bump if you shell out for dinner and drinks for all her friends. This puts her higher on the status food chain, which can eventually lead to association with other people of similar status and the increased social and financial opportunities those connections bring.

Most of this seems completely insane to Americans. People will debate whether or not the US is really a meritocracy, but Americans at least BELIEVE that it is. We generally feel the way to get ahead is to work hard, be smart, innovate, and seize opportunities when they become available. Brazilians see personal connections as the way to get ahead. You find someone who is already rich and powerful and ride the wave behind their motor yacht.

Anyway, that's a long explaination for a theory that might not even have be right, but I'd bet I'm at least partially right. She made a pretty big error dragging three guys along, though. Most American men are a bit standoffish to go for that. If she had invited a couple of girlfriends along, she probably would have gotten away with it.

[Vinni100]

The cool thing about dating a Brasilian is you have a free place to stay with every visit and you can still go out to eat everynight. The girl I was with for two years seemed pretty cool at first and then her family came into the picture. I bought all kinds of things that weren't for me. Although, I must say they were nice people. I haven't seen this girl in over a year.

When I date another brasilian, I am only paying for dinner.

[JoshJosh69]

My last trip to Rio was right smack in the middle of July. Everything is the same, however, at times the weather can be a little crappy. This last July it rained a couple of times and I had to go to Rio Sul to buy some colder weather clothes. Everything else is the same however, there are always plenty of women and the termas are always open. July is fine and I would do it again.

[Vitor97]

I have been to brazil twice in Decemember, I was dating a brazilian so I couldnt take full advantage, but how is the weather like there in March-April, I want to have a trip like you Y & R, I couldnt agree more, great post, almost story like.

[Vinni100]

Any one else there up for getting your game faces on and enjoying Rio?

Count me in for March 2005!

[Young & Restless]

I noticed that a few more post were approved since my last post the other day... Thanks again gents for all of the good feedback. I hope some of the info comes in handy.

Kid Cisco,

There is no telling what that girl was up to. She might have met one (or all) of those three guys while we were apart for a few seconds at the Nuth and they could have slipped there phone number to her. I don't really know, but like I've said before it's not easy for me to trust people that I meet in Rio. It can be hard to read people there, because most of them seem genuinely sincere, but then again you never know...

Regardless of what she was up to, I can't really say anything because whenever I wasn't with her I wasn't exactly behaving like a boy scout... hehehe.

Also, I'm with you on having a two or three time limit with any one chica. It's like eating at your favorite restaurant for two or three days in a row... Variety is the key to the spice of life! LOL!

I forgot to mention that my friend that went with me is now an official Rio fanatic. He talks about going back to Rio 10X's more than I do! Thanks again for your good review on my report.

Cheers,

Y & R

[Rio Regular]

Any one else there up for getting your game faces on and enjoying Rio?

[Papi Muy Rico]

Your description of your adventures in Rio has been like a Roller Coaster ride …I have laughed…got angry…felt sadness…excitement ...horny … even scared sometimes, like a dramatic soap opera unraveling episode by episode. You are tha man!!!

I truly have to congratulate you for perhaps the best post I have read in this forum. As with any excellent drama I was left asking for more and some questions floating in the air:

1. You found out why the Paulista got so mad with you? Have you kept in contact with her? and with the Carioca? I think you should you never know when those relationships may become handy.

2. What type of job has the Carioca? What about the Paulista? I don’t mean to be nosy but really like to know…you know your novel did not clarify that ..

3. I travel regularly to Brasil for business and love to go to Rio whenever I have the chance; however, the security issue worries me too much, as a gringo travelling solo I might be targeted for a mugging even in plain daylight. That happens a lot there specially lately when violence against tourists is growing. For that reason I would like you to PM me Guilherme’s contact info so next time I am in Rio I hook up with him and have a couple beers with him, and maybe go out for hunting.

4. Did you invite Guilherme to anything provided that he as a token of gratitude for showing you around? I read that he did not ask for anything but I think you should have showed him your appreciation.

I know that Termas are very safe but there are places that are dangerous for tourists wandering alone like Lapa, which I like a lot and where there is plenty of talent to look for. You’ve been there and know what I mean, you have groups of local dudes with faces taken out from “Cidade de Deus”. I was there alone back in december and became paranoid in the middle of the crowd, too many gangs of youths circulating. Would you have gone to Lapa without Guilherme? I don’t think so…you said you felt threatened at some point. That is the advantage of having locals to hang out with.

Another thing is you should not left Corey alone in Help, you should have found him and make sure he had a girl and the terms of the contract clearly explained. As a first timer he might be easily tricked, drugged or robbed or a combination of the three. The fact that he only lost the motel money says he is not a dumb ass though.

[Bubba Boy]

Nice post! You sure do like to go out and mix it with the locals, very brave man!

[Sunset Strip]

Because of some responsibilities I will not be able to get to Rio in either June or August as planned. I will probably go again in Sept. But since I am getting the itch right now I know I need to go ASAP. So I am planning to book a flight for July.

However I think this is a holiday month for most Brazilian schools so prices go up. Is this true?

I am the type of guy who loves low season because the girl/monger ratio is to my advantage. On the flip side I do not enjoy New Years and most of the Carnaval season! So given this info. do you all think I will enjoy Rio in July?

I have secured a good rate for July 4-25.

P.S. I know it is almost impossible for a guy to have a bad time in Rio. I just wanted a heads up from the pros out there. I mean most of the guys on this thread seem to be professional mongers!

TJ

[Vinni100]

I have actually been to that resturant many times! They have some great food in both places and the price is right

I think it would be a great idea to have a forum for Brasil resturants. No grief from me

[Wahoolee]

I will have to print it out and refer to it in the future when I travel to Rio.

Thanks!

[Photo55]

Y&R, wow. great detailed report on Rio. Porcão is definitely the best churrascaria in Rio. Another great place to see hot girls on a rainy day (ie no beach) is the Fashion Mall. Lastly, I'd say the best non pro scene is definitely the clubs in Barra da Tijuca but you have to speak Portuguese to get any play there or perhaps italian...I don't think much of Melt which was mentioned by Y&R (which is either Leblon or Ipanema, can't remember).

Also, just heard a story of a British guy that was almost drugged by what he thought was a legitimate non pro catch back at her apartment (so be careful at the clubs). Made it to the street just in the time for his body to go totally numb. luckily an honest cabbie helped him into his hotel otherwise he would have been totally screwed.

To those of you that check Mike in Brazil's catch, wondering if any of you know the latest film starlet, Julia (age 20).

http://www.************.com/view.htm...iler=julia.wmv

Definitely would like to get her contact information.

Thx,

Photo55