I went shopping today at the mall in Salvador. It’s pretty nice inside. There’s even an ice skating rink with fake ice. It’s a little strange to see people dressed for summer on ice skates, but I got over it. When I first arrived, I got a cup of coffee and a brigadeiro and sat down to watch people.
I’ve noticed this before, but never really thought about it. The women here LOVE platform sandals. These sandals have probably 6 – 8 inch thick soles. I don’t know why they do it. It must just be a cultural thing, but they aren’t sexy and they don’t look comfortable. I think they also throw off the center of gravity so these poor women walk as though they are constantly falling forward. Maybe Brazilian men like tall women.
To me, culture shock is anything that I notice different from what I’m used to. It doesn’t have to be anything huge or upsetting. It doesn’t even have to be bad. There have been many moments of culture shock since I arrived in Brazil, but I think the biggest one has revolved around the vendors. A simple walk down the beach is almost certain to be interrupted at some point by a person (usually a man) trying vigorously to sell you something. It’s not just the beach, though. I’ve had vendors try to sell me necklaces and pirated DVDs while I’m inside a restaurant. I’m a somewhat shy person when it comes to interacting with people I don’t know so I tend to just awkwardly brush them off.
The problem comes in when I actually do want something. I can’t ever see myself wanting to buy a crappy necklace, but sometimes I want water or food. One of the most difficult things for me has been to consciously assess what they have and if I want it. It took me about a month to come up with this technique, but it works. If a vendor tries to sell me something, I will engage them in brief conversation, look at their wares, let them know of my interest (or lack of), and thank them for the offer. They are much more prone to leave quickly and I don’t feel harassed. These people are simply trying to make some money and they aren’t doing it at gunpoint.
I just leveled up in Portuguese as well so that helps. I think I’m at level 4 now so I have about 66 more levels if we’re going by WoW rules.
