Obiously, beach clothes at the beach. But what about at the nightclubs? Do I need slacks and long-sleeve shirts? Dress shoes? What is considered "polite" and what is considered "sloppy" in Rio? How can I look more like a Brazilian and less like an American at first glance? I plan on wandering around all over the place during the daytime. Any advice about any of this, or anything else you can think of related to clothing would be appreciated.

For example, it's considered impolite in Thailand to wear shorts except in beach areas like Pattaya. Even though lots of westerners wore their shorts and ratty t-shirts and did fine, I had a number of women in Bangkok tell me that my clothes set me apart and made me much more attractive than those other guys. After those compliments, I dressed up every night even though it would have been far more comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt. And it paid off in spades during two mind-boggling trips. I only wore clothes like that because a Thai lady I know in the States told me I should and would gain more face.

Any kind of "rules" operating like that in Rio? I realize that money always talks, and nobody will ever humiliate you if you dress like a slob, but I am interested in getting some finer points of hanging out in Rio. I don't want to miss out on the killer clubs because I don't have the right stuff in my luggage. But I also don't want to bring my entire closet.

Any experiences you can relate?

A voraciously eager newbie-to-be in October 2006.

All daytime action in Rio is inside termas where the uniform is a standard issue bathrobe- so clothing is not an issue. At night in Help (or any other club or disco) I'd dress the same as you would in any US nightclub in Vegas or LA-- nice jeans, nice shoes, decent collared shirt or designer-type t-shirt. You will see a few guys looking like crap in the clubs but if you're serious about what you're doing, you should look like you actually thought about what you put on. Again, just like in any US club.

During daytime walking around Rio almost everyone is in shorts and tank top or t-shirt. Place is poor and very casual. Compare to SP where nobody wears shorts.

Board shorts, T-shirt and flip flops is the standard daytime uniform--even for the mall. At night, jeans and a shirt with sleeves will get you in anywhere. Even a T-shirt. Brazilian girls tell me that the poor people like to try to dress up when they go out, and the rich people dress as casually as possible. If you're wearing jeans, tshirt and tenis shoes, no girl in a bar or club will think you're a slob. That's not the way it works here.

Ken

As far as looking more like a Brasilian and less like an American, everyone will spot you as an American a block away, so don't worry about it. You won't blend in regardless of what you're wearing.

As far as killer clubs, you'll be in the same clubs as the rest of us. If you want to go to non-working clubs, you should spend every waking hour between now and October learning spoken Brasilian Portuguese because you'll get nowhere with the non-pros unless you speak the language well.

Thanks for the responses, guys. I am knee-deep in language CD's. I learn languages quickly so it shouldn't be a problem. As you said, Catocony, every waking hour.

Stump,

Glad to hear you're studying, and good luck. Keep in mind, though, that Portuguese as spoken on CDs like Pimsleur gives you only the roughest introduction to Portuguese as spoken by young brasileiras. As it's actually spoken by the girls, it comes at you three times as fast, less clearly enunciated (thanks to the alcohol), and full of slang and idioms that never show up on the CDs or in the books.

In other words, you should have no expectation that you'll connect with non-pros the first time out.

But your studying will pay big dividends in the termas and Help.

Boa sorte, cara!

Where can I get some in-advance learning on the slang and idioms? I've looked all over this site and not found any. Any ideas?

My two cents worth. Brazil is the most physically oriented city on the planet. Spend some time in the gym and buy some comfortable and fashionable clothes at Rio Sul, learn portuguese and be take everything about a half a beat slower.

I'm studying Portuguese and I find Brazilian films on DVD with English subtitles help. Try City of God or Central Station both are not bad films.

Slang and idioms are very tough to learn in advance. It's not standardized language, so it varies over all the parts of Brazil. "Safado" is probably one of the most common of Brazilian Portuguese slang words, but in Salvador, they prefer to use "Gaiato." Go figure. That's the variance and vagarities of learning slang.

And given the education level around Copa, slang is what you'll be conversing in much of the time ;)

My advice is to head to the Rio Sul while you're here and check out the big bookstore on the 3rd floor. Pick up a book called, "How to say anything in Portuguese." It's got a lot of phrases and sayings that are handy and don't translate directly from English to Portuguese. (One example, whereas in English, we would say, "This is not going to work," in Portuguese, they say, "Nao vai dar certo," or something like "Not going to give certain...") They also have a pretty extensive Dictionary of "Palavrao" or cuss words, but while some of them are commonly used, others in the book are rather archaic.

I also found a book on Amazon.com called "A Dictionary of Informal Brazilian Portuguese," which has come in handy, but again that's usually AFTER I know which phrase I'm looking for. You have to really be in Rio speaking the language with people before you will pick that stuff up well. Which I'd imagine is the same with any language.

That said, I will now offer some very common words and phrases--at least among the mongering scene... ;)

"Porra" (POH-ha) - This literally means "Jizz," but you'll find it used in all contexts. "Aiiii, Porra!" is like, "Awwww, shit!" "Porra! Acredita?" is like, "Shit, can you believe it?" "Vai embora, porra!" is like, "Go away, fucker." It's probably the most commonly used of Portuguese slang words, and is not too offensive when used jokingly between friends, "E ai, Porra?" or "What's up, jizz?" ;) (A side note: the girls will actually call your jizz "Leite," or milk, as in, "Quero seu leite na minha boca!" or "I want your milk in my mouth!")

"Safado" (Sah-FAH-Doh) - This one is also very common and is used in a variety of contexts. "Dirty horn dog," "Dirty man," "Nasty," etc. You'll most often hear it used in a sexual sense, ie., when one girl you fucked catches you flirting with another girl, she'll call you a "Safado." Or, if you're making her feel very good in the cabine, she'll call you a Safado, which means she's having a good time ;)

"Gostoso" (Goh-stoh-zoh) - Literally means "Tasty." They'll either call you that, which is a compliment, or they'll use it during sex, which means, "Keep doing what you're doing." ;)

"Quer ficar comigo?" (Key-ehr FEE-kar Coh-MEE-go) - You'll hear this one a lot. Particularly if you go inside Help. It means literally, "Do you want to stay with me?" or figuratively, "Are you going to fuck me, or are you just wasting my time?"

"Chupa" (CHOO-pah) - Another handy one. If she says it to you, she wants you to go down on her. If you say it to her, you want her to go down on you. Mostly, you don't have to ask for this. They'll do it automatically. Just don't confuse it with "Chuva" (SHOOH-vah) which means "rain," or you'll end up with a SweetMesquite sized misunderstanding ;)

I could go on all day, but I'll offer one final note: A lot of guys try to ask for Anal Sex with the word, "Completa." A lot of girls aren't necessarily familiar with the context of this word sexually. It's a euphamism. And they might use it as an excuse to mislead you. You're better off asking for "Sexo Anal"(SECK-soh An-OWW), so there's no misunderstanding what you mean.

P.S. The phonetics are mine, and are not particularly scientific. But that should give you a decent idea of how to pronounce the words. It'll give you better pronunciation than Hemp anyway ;) (Kidding with ya, buddy)

Good luck,
Ken

I still think the best way to ask, during the interview process, if they like/allow anal is to slide your finger towards her crack, press a bit and say "aqui?" or "anal?". Since you should already have both of your hands cradling her asscheeks, it's just a slight inward movement by a finger or two. Don't stick your finger up her bung but a little tug on her bikini should suffice.

Or you could just ask "gostaria lhe foder no cu" while grinning at her and squeezing her bunda.

i just came back from brasil two weeks ago. here's the haps on the dress code.

i packed a gang full of t-shirts, jerseys, polos, and dress shirts and pants. all of my "nice" clothes never made it out of the suitcase. the t-shirts are perfectly fine w/ a pair of jeans and some sneaks or sandles. you can get into the clubs with jeans and a t-shirt. no need to dress to impress, you'll just attract more attention than you need from hustlers and beggars. dress for comfort, nothing more. i found that wearing something with brasil on it, like: a soccer jersey or wrist band will get you more props with the locals and ladies.

if you're like me and wear earrings. Take them out! Men in Brasil don't wear earrings, they'll think your gay. keep your rolexes and bling bling at home. not only is it unnecessary, but that attracts thugs and pickpockets.

be well groomed, smell good, keep good hygiene, dress comfortable, no jewelry, no brand names, and you'll be straight.

one more note. learning to speak the language is much more important than ANYTHING you can wear. i picked up a portuguese for dummies and a couple of cd's. i blended in like a champ and got mad love from the women! but, then again, being black did help me blend in a little better. a lot of extra credit!

Nightclub dress? Most Brazilians wear T-shirts and Jeans. Leave the nice clothes at home. There is no such thing as dressing up in Rio :-). Try to blend.... nice slacks, not needed!

What to wear in Help? Whatever the heck you feel like. Wear shorts if that makes you happy! Just bring bucks..... the girls don't care how you dress, just your R$. That's the beauty of that place - we are all beautiful people in 'Help' ... hehehe

cant wear shorts/sandals in help

Only time you can wear shorts in Help is CARNAVAL. - Hemp