Looking for help on what to wear and how to behave to blend in with the crowd on my next trip to Rio and not look like a typical tourist.

Any advice appreciated.

Ix

Get a tan. Do not get a thong biniki tan line. The girls might have a problem with it.

Wear a white robe...

Hehehe, very funny, SF and CP.

Let's see, some REAL advice:

A tan is a good idea
Observe how the cariocas dress and dress like them.
Head to the mall, get yourself a few local shirts and a pair of slacks... and it's a nice way to chat up the salesgirls.
For the beach, clamdiggers (surfer shorts), the "speedos" (sunga in portuguese) have gone out of fashion, thank the gods!
For casual padding around town, the aforementioned clamdiggers, flip-flop sandals or runnign shoes, and a soccer shirt - buy a cheap one off the vendors at the beach, you can't go wrong with a Brazil or a Flamengo shirt. Alternatively, American tee-shirts also are popular.
Don't wear American shorts, don't wear flowered shirts, don't wear baseball caps.

Hope this helps... at worst you'll look like a Paulista!

BS

Get a tan, speak some Portuguese, get rid of that Yankees baseball cap and Rio T-Shirt, avoid Help, avoid Meia Petaca, avoid Mabs.

Thanks guys.

Have one Rio trip under my belt and it was fantastic. Mainly did the terma tour, going to L'Ouomo, Monte Carlo, Antiguo, and Centarus. Also tried a girl from Company Girl and was pleasantly surprised by the quality and performance. And I met off-hours with the best terma performers in my hotel.

I also took portuguese lessons while there and by the end of the trip could carry-on a conversation as I already speak fluent spanish. As has been mentioned many times on this board, learning the language, even a little, spices up all interactions in country, with providers and non-providers alike.

I had no problems with rip-offs or theft and was in Rio 6 days/nights. But I did wear classic American gear (ex-officio et al) and want to look more local on the next trip to avoid problems.

Going to the mall sounds like a great idea for me. I can speak well enough to make my quest understood, should be fun putting on the local garb and may get lucky with a clerk!

Thanks much to all of you on this board. My research here produced the best mongering experience of my life (ruining TJ for me in the process!).

Best

Ix

I'm glad you had a great time. I also got one trip under my belt. I will be there in June and was curious about taking some portuguese lessons to break up the day. Can you tell my who did you see and how much did it costs? My only portuguese experience is from the Pimsleur cd's. I am still on the first series and it is coming very slowly for me. I guess I am no brain surgeon.

You can try Brasillis language school in RIo at 2512-3697. Last I heard it was about 35R per lesson, or if you have 3 weeks to spend here the University has an immersion class, 6 hours a day for 3 weeks in July/Aug and Jan/Feb each year. Itīs $500US and anyone can attend. Still leaves time left at night for mongering.
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