Take my salary: R$1200 a month
Divide by number of days I work in a month: 24
Divide by current exchange rate of 2.3
Stare at calulator and yell "shit!": 1200/24/2.3 = 21
Yes, I have a college education, am smart, talented, disciplined, and a hard worker. I make $21 a day. (and don't forget, most things here in Brazil cost at least 3 times as much as in the States).
Ok, I know. I can't complain. There are many people here who make far less than that. Before my girlfriend was a teacher, she worked Sunday to Sunday, 8 hours every day, and made a whopping R$10 ($5) a day. I definitely feel that there are areas of my life that I compensate for my salary, such as getting the chance to learn a new language and enjoying the beach life on the weekends. Frankly in this shit economy, I am lucky to even HAVE a salary.
But jesus lord, the math!
I am posting the following photos to try and make myself feel better. Typical Brazilian internet humor.
8 comments:
And this is the kind of thing that makes me cringe. In my privileged American ways, I do dread that part of moving to Brazil (which at this point is looking more of a certainty, than a possibility). But, well, we do what we have to right? And I am really looking forward to learning Portuguese and having the experience of living somewhere different. I am well aware of the fact that it will truly be a humbling experience for me. I just hope I can learn the language fast enough to actually work and help bring in some kind of income!
Those advertisements are too funny! Advertising seems to have a lot more freedom in Brasil than here!
So what.. I live in the USA and my income is very much the same thanks to the so call global economic which I think it should be rename the Global Slave Economic.
Ruben in Miami.
Leo,
What definitely help Brazilians in your age is that most of them still live with their parents/family and that is how they can strech those levels of income.
Also, in Sao Paulo or Rio you would probably make 3 to 4 times that montly figure.
The important factor is that you are aware of the great things in your Bahia life that compensates for the modest income and you are definitely making the best of it.
Enjoy Salvador, it is wicked cold here in Rhode Island, just walked my dog on the beach and it is a balmy 28 degrees F and windy, which is better than last weeks 10F with snow.
Take care
Ray
Leo,
I hear you buddy.
Contrary to what Ray said, I am also a college graduate (from Providence College in RI, actually, so it's funny he mentioned being in RI, haha), and am Brazilian so work opportunities for me here should be much better and I do NOT make anywhere near 3-4 times what you make. My roommate is from Salvador and she tells me cost of living there is actually much higher than SP, so I can see exactly where you're coming from... esp. since I would make in a weekend waitressing in the US what I make here in a month.
On the other hand, I feel like even though I never have money to spare or save in the bank, there's something about this place that doesn't want to make me go back to the greenback...
beijos!!
-poly.
ps - the bus in the cross at the crosswalk ad is the bus line I take to/from work!!
Hey Leo,
Thanks for the email! I appreciate the feedback and the post included. Nows the consideration process.
Hopefully the printer ad supplies you with a way that you can increase that reality check.
PS - For those who don't know, Jontex is a Brazilian brand of condoms.
Dear Polyana,
What I wrote is not my personal opinion, it is common knowledge.
You can Google this stuff and confirm what I wrote. I have worked in more than one Corporation that decided to open branches in Salvador because we could "get away" with paying much lower salaries than we would have if we opened the same type of business in Sao Paulo.
Sao Paulo is super crowded and it is normal to see inflated living costs.
New York is the same thing, people make bigger salaries but spend much more money on rent or mortgage for example.
But I totally believe that there are exceptions to the rule, like your friend that lives in Salvador and think the cost of living there is higher and you making the same salary in Sao Paulo as someone in the North of Brazil.
Take care
Ray
found you. last night was good good good. I want more. bring vi.
Leo,
Definetely you´re lucky for at least have a job. You know most people in Brazil don´t make R$1.200a month. It´s unfair, I know, but it´s not too bad according to our reality. I always find myself thinking about it. I could make more money as a nanny in the US than as a journalist in Brazil, can u believe it? Should I keep the journalist status and forget the economic part or should I forget about my education and do what pays best? It´s something we have to think about. Lastly, your friend Ray is right. Until 30 years old most of brazilians live in their parent´s house, because this is the only way of having a comfortable life. You have a big challenge in your hands: being young, living by yourself in Brazil , with a low income. You have being doing a goob job! Go ahead!
Love,
Vanessa Alonso
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