So you want the truth do you? Sit down, have a seat.
Today we are going to address the question of the itinerant gringo. Why is it that foreigners from the US and Europe, who come to Brazil to try and make a life, end up going home?
Well, the answer is simple. Money and quality of life.
Here in Brazil, money is hard to come by. This is because:
The great majority of the population works for a measly $200 USD a month. The middle class exists, but only in times of plenty. When inflation takes off, the middle class fall back into poverty. In terms of Social-Darwinism and capitalism, a small bourgeoisie population and a massive army of poor does not exactly make for a strong economy.
This is because:
Less people with money = less consumption.
Less consumption = higher prices.
Higher prices = Low quality of life.
For the passing tourist, Brazil seems like a paradise. The climate is warm, the palm trees are plenty, the women exotic. With a pocket stuffed full of euros or dollars, the gringo feels rich and in control. Then, gringo experiences the formula:
1. Gringo falls in love with a local.
2. Gringo goes back to his boring rat-race existence in the real world, but has little success after tasting a little slice of paradise.
3. Gringo because enamored with his little slice of paradise, and in a fit of inspiration decides to throw away is cubicle existence to live in Brazil.
Whoo. Awesome. Great.
Fast forward six months.
Gringo sinks his teeth into reality. Gringo experiences his/her first bout as a native instead of the tourist. Gringo realizes that his income doesn’t get him very far. Gringo realizes that for the first time in life, he is poor. Gringo realizes that it is nearly impossible to get a job. Gringo realizes that the only people with money are working professionals (i.e. lawyers, doctors, engineers) who struggled up the professional ladder, or got into good schools because their families are rich. Gringo realizes that he is not rich, nor getting into a good school.
Gringo teaches English until he realizes that.
He/She is not making enough money to travel.
He /She is not making enough money to live in a safe and secure place.
He/She is not making enough money to enjoy hobbies, or see movies, or dine out (at least not with the same frequency as back home).
Gringo hits the wall, packs up, and moves home.
More truths:
--Most gringos that come to live comfortably in Brazil are retired (i.e. earned their money elsewhere) or work for international companies.
--Most gringos that I know live here illegally, marginally, and earn a very small living.
Not to say that these formulas apply to me, this is just what I continue to see.
Oh, gringoes. Don't say that I didn't warn you.
10 comments:
I think I know that story, lol. Better for the gringa than for the gringo as in a male-driven (according to the men) society, they will take care of bringing home the toucinho. Sans getting hitched or enamored....good luck to both sexes.
These things are complicadinho, without a magical formula.
Managing to avoid that wall at the moment, but it gets very close at times!
Good Blog. Not only happens to the Americans,but also to other nationalities. A land of falsities,perfidy and treason. I came to learn what "falso sentimento Latino" is after a few years. By then it was too late to return anywhere.
"He/She is not making enough money to (...) dine out"
> I'm affraid I do not agree with that one! Food is so cheap and so good at once here, you enjoy yourself much more than back in the US or the old Europe (as for me)!
Have to agree with the rest tho... Good summary! ;o
I think you got it all wrong. There are foreigners (gringos) living all over the World, in pooer and richer countries and on less money. Go and look.
Why do you think most foreigners go home after teaching English in Brazil for six months?
Because you get six months in the country as a tourist and thats it. Work visa for an English teacher very difficult. It rarely happens, they work on the tourist visa. You know this, but you've written complete crap.
You pretty much laid down the plain truth. I can't refute it. It's true because I've heard about it a dozen times from a dozen people and you know what? I still want to move there lol.
I agree and disagree. It depends on what your means of subsistence is, meaning that if you are teaching english in favelas (which I've done) you will eventually get frustrated and bored by the bureaucracy. However if you plan ahead, before packing up and moving to the tropics, your chances are much greater. If you choose to study and graduate from a Brasilian university or have contacts with multi-national companies, earning euros or (until recently) dollars, than it could all work out well. If you are a Yoga teacher like me, and a community organizer, than you can teach to the rich gringos at the resorts and organize socially in your off time, which is usually much in Brasil. Basically what I'm trying to lay out is that the fault of most foreigners moving to Brasil with coconuts in their eyes have not planned ahead, I know because I did it. If you take the time and the steps to create the reality than any thing is possible. Sim ou Nao?
Oh yeah, great advices get the fuck out gringoes.
Good blog, and your reality matches my observations in many countries I have traveled (including Brazil of course). However I must bring this "forest for the trees" vision back into focus... ie: I find many brazilians (and others of course) coming to the USA and returning home just as quickly, and might I add for the same reasons. How ironic? Brazilian comes to the USA and dreams of being rich and famous or of being a supermodel. Poor English (or none at all) and no chance at a good job equal a small income at a crappy job. They can't afford a car or going out or education as this costs way more than they could usually afford on the minimum wage job they have. No education equals no good jobs - ever. And Brazilian now realizes that in the USA no money equals a truly poor existence. They begin to see why we Americans work so much, as we have few holidays and very little vacation time. They are not used to working without nets because the employers in Brazil are required to pay the fund for them when they are out of work. What? No vacation? No holidays? No mandatory 30 days paid with 40% holiday pay? No fund? You gringo's are nuts! jajaja Anyway, you see my point... they end up returning home in approximately the same percentages as Americans in Brazil. I have seen success stories on both sides, so I would definately take the chance if you have a good plan and understand the culture well. That goes for anyone moving to any other country to make a life... Remember the grass is always greener until you have to start pulling weeds- jajajajaja
Except its not even that cheap for gringo. Rio is more expensive in London these days.
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