The center of life in Rio is the beach. If the sun is shining and a Carioca (resident of Rio) is not at work, then you can definitely find him on the beach. He will be playing football or volleyball, power walking, and working out at special stations. Since the city has a cult of the body, no one misses an opportunity to show off. And you need to show yourself in all your glory with minimal clothing. When I first arrived in Rio, a friend advised me to get rid of one-piece swimsuits and buy several pairs of dental floss bikinis. And indeed, in all my time living in Rio, among thousands of girls, young women, and women in closed swimsuits, I saw only a few Scandinavian snow whites.
For a Carioca, what is good for his body is good. Simply exercising in Rio is not enough: it is important to know where and in what. A Carioca dedicates one-fifth of his life to training. One-fifth of mall space is given over to trendy sportswear stores. The main mistake of a northerner is to buy black pants, a gray T-shirt, and go sweat diligently in the gym. When choosing a color scheme for an outfit, a Carioca looks to the tropical toucan. Purple sneakers, yellow shorts, and a bright green tank top are a definite hit with the dress code.
Tell me where you run, and I will tell you who you are. Leblon beach is the territory of wealthy expats and high-flying managers. This is where the most expensive real estate in Brazil is located. Ipanema beach is occupied by Canadians and Americans who have come for a long break from business or, conversely, on long-term business. On Copacabana, former hippies, provincials, and old people work out. Around Lagoa Lake, the cream of society runs. Under caps and dark glasses, soap opera stars are often hidden.
At first, I involuntarily compared Cariocas to images from TV series. It is all true: they are just as bright, loud, always on display. Personal hygiene is extremely important for all layers: they brush their teeth several times a day and take a shower at least twice. Residents of Rio are early birds. Right after waking up, they arrange a light breakfast: bread with cheese, coffee, and a vitamina drink (vitamina – fruit blended with milk). After snacking, they go for a run, then shower and leave for work.
The most important meal is lunch. It consists of four courses, starts with a salad, and ends with dessert and a cup of coffee. The workday in Rio ends between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. As soon as a Carioca returns home, the first thing he does is turn on the TV, watch his favorite soap opera, take a shower, and prepare a light dinner. As a rule, this consists of snacks and aperitifs.
Thanks to regular sunbathing and the healing sea air, Cariocas are known for their good nature and are able to maintain a cheerful atmosphere even in the office during a deadline. Female colleagues greet each other with kisses on both cheeks. Touches and hugs are part of normal behavior in the workplace. However, a secret is not something to be kept, but rather something a Carioca learned first among his acquaintances.
Gossip here spreads like wildfire. After soap operas, it is the second most important food for the mind. More serious gossip is published in magazines with crisp pages and indecent circulations. The virus of local rumors is transmitted via cell phones, email, and in person. The main carriers of the infection are women with many friends and costume jewelry.
As it turned out, in Rio it is not customary to look away and quickly walk by if you happen to witness a family scene. Participation is a tribute to the drama of the protagonists. No one knows how to enjoy their own shouting as much as the residents of Rio. Angry spouses not only bring their arguments at full volume onto the balcony, but often run out of their houses into the street, gathering crowds of passersby around them. Southerners are not prone to northern silent anger, cold tone, and poisonous whispers. Here they shout loudly, make up quickly, and hug warmly.
At first, I was under the illusion that sexual freedom reigned in Rio. But as skillful as Cariocas are at flirting and passionate in love, they are just as terrible in jealousy. More than half of domestic crimes in Rio are committed on suspicion of infidelity. Witnesses regularly post videos online of furious women smashing their unfaithful husbands' cars with hammers. Family scenes with property damage, police, and dozens of 'sympathizers' are a common occurrence in Rio.
Brazilian husbands often get in trouble especially at the beach. If a man looks at a passing siren, a stream of sarcastic comments immediately rains down on the unfortunate man: 'What are you looking at that ugly thing for?' If the 'ugly thing' hears the comments, she immediately fires off a few remarks and the address of the offender, and beach peace is interrupted for a few minutes of shouting.
Even after two months of living in Rio de Janeiro, I still could not find an explanation for some facts. For example, why do they eat overly sweet cakes and wash them down with classic Coke, but at the same time add calorie-free sweetener for diabetics to coffee? Why is the gym called an academy and the same word is used for a bar? Why, even if you buy groceries at the same store every day, do you still need to recount the change? Why does Rio have the cheeriest and most open people, but the most brutal police? How to explain the love of Rio's female residents for football: the men on the field or in the stands, or is it still a passion for the game?