A more balanced perspective
I don't necessarily see any contradiction by saying the "common classes" tend to display themselves as happy and/or fun-loving despite the poverty and social ills.
Actually, in a way it makes sense. The intensity of the carnival atmosphere and other feast days or just regular weekend parties is their way to "blow off steam" from the pressures and problems of their daily lives.
You see this also in other parts of latin-america. I'll never forget my first trip to Cuba when I saw Havana's version of the carnival. Once it was over, the afro-cuban kids continued the party on the street, still singing and dancing, until they were packed like sardines in these tiny, crappy, Chinese busses that would take them back to the lowliest barrios in the outskirts of Havana.
I can't imagine living under Fidel can be "fun" but that night there was not a hint of misery, at least the mental kind.
Now as for the complaint about "stealing" of utilities, that seems kind of scrooge-ish, or maybe the person just doesn't understand how things work in south america.
There's a similar dynamic in Colombia for instance. The poorest people pay zero or next to nothing for utilities, subsidized by the rich and middle class. But it's MORE than made up by the shit wages most poor people get. So you can hire an older lady to clean your place a couple of times a week and pay her a pittance. But even though that amount could never cover the real value of the water and electricity she uses, it doesn't matter as the cost is socialized amongst the entire middle and upper class.
And the richer you are, the better this kind of system works in your favor.
Brazilian Women the best?
I have been to both countries - Brazil three times and Colombia once. I love Brazil, it is my favorite country, the people are great, the girls have the best bodies and are great in the sack. But from my experience I think the Colombian women are the best in the sack.