How to Be a Carioca

by Carlos Carneiro

new

Genres: Travel, Brazil, Humor, Nonfiction

152 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 1992

Reviews

[Nina]

Up to date, if only in spirit

[L. Stephen Wolfe]

"How to be a Carioca" is funny, cleverly illustrated, and readable. It is a bit dated, however. It was originally published in 1992 when Brazil was still in the throes of hyperinflation and economic chaos. It was revised in 2007, but a lot has changed in Brazil since then.
Having just returned from a 5-day trip to Rio, Priscilla Goslin's characterization of Cariocas as reckless drivers, the phone system as dysfunctional, and the busses as over crowded simply aren't true anymore. I also didn't see any guys kiss all the women at a table when they entered a restaurant.
Cariocas still love to eat and drink. There are apparently no laws restricting the sale of liquor. The beach culture is amazing even for someone who lives in Southern California. Crime is still bad but theft and pickpocketing is no worse than a lot of big cities. Soccer games at Maracana stadium are as wild as ever. And Cariocas still enjoy touching each other and everybody else, a charm that is hard to resist.
Caveats aside, the book is worth reading if you are planning a trip to Rio.

[Nicholas Smith]

Learnt a few good tips and phrases from this book! A must read for any tourist heading to Rio.

[Jonathan]

Perfectly readable lighthearted view of Rio aimed squarely for the holidaymakers with little knowledge of the city. Perhaps occasionally a touch condescending and some observations no longer fully ring true, but it captures the quirks of this city and its people well enough and is an entertaining easy read.

[Jeannette]

A friend gave me this in preparation for an upcoming visit to Rio. It didn't match up to well with my subsequent experience in the Marvelous City. Still, many passages made me laugh, and I did learn a few things.

[Theis Schæfer]

Super fun and insightful read id you're going to spend time in Rio de Janeiro!

[Benjamin Doeringer-Smith]

lowkey a little dated and have 0 plans of going to rio soon but ideally the thought behind being a carioca anywhere sounds like a great way to live

[R C]

Not a bad easy read for the plane ride to the place. Definitely recommend if you are looking for a light read before your trip to Rio

[Jesse]

How To Be a Carioca is an awesome blend of dark humor and information on the culture, language, and life in Rio de Janeiro; information that you would not find in any normal guidebook. I also find it very interesting that the author is American by birth but has lived most of her life in Rio de Janeiro, as a real Carioca (resident of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).

This is a tongue-in-cheek description of various social and cultural aspects of life in Rio, with "helpful tips" on how gringos like us (foreigners) can try to fit in. There's a fair amount of sarcasm and irony, but what makes it even funnier is that it is quite obvious that the humor is based on reality. (Note: there are some R-rated references and illustrations; this isn't a book for kids.)

If you want to know how to go on a date, what the proper attire is for going to the beach, what to expect from a maid you hire, how to drive (and park your car), and many other situations you may find yourself in while in Rio, then this book is for you. And beyond that, it is excellently well-written, and really made me feel as I was right in the middle of a vida louca for a time. You also get a few language lessons in how to speak like a Carioca, and plenty of new slang words and phrases to learn. As someone who is interested in languages and dialects, this is awesome.

A great read - both entertaining, and informative!

[Geert Vanhulle]

This little book is really funny!
I've read it when I was staying in Rio de Janeiro for several months and everything is absolutelly true. If you know Rio it is hilarious, but also if this city is new for the reader it will give you a good insight of Brazilian culture and for sure it will make you laugh.

[Katerina]

I find this little book a gem. Not only does it provide you with information that is useful, but I love the humorous writing style with a touch of kind irony. The only problem is that after reading it I wish I was in Rio already, but unfortunately that has to wait...in the meantime I am happy to have this book to bring me closer to what it feels like being in Rio.

[Rhode PVD]

It's a slender humorous volume for everyone who ever wondered what it would be like to move to Rio in Brazil. Although Brazil's politics and economy have changed since this was written, most of this addresses the kinds of cultural attitudes and behaviors that will probably still be true in 50 years.

[Redsteve]

Not ENTIRELY stupid.

[Jonathan]

None

[Cheryl]

Simply a fun book on life in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

[Suzanne Yoder]

silly book with obvious, superficial observations of the beautiful people of Rio.

[Claudio Costa]

this will be useful

[Andy]

Basic stuff about Carioca, a good introduction to visit Rio and behave like a native...

[Wesley]

Took my wife and son to the consulate to vote today, Go Bolsanaro!

[Hassan Rahhal]

O livro conta perspectivas interessantes e verdadeiras. No entanto, parece ter envelhecido um pouco mal. Contém algumas ideias e ilustrações que ficaram datadas.

[Kamilah Tisdale]

An entertaining look at the culture of Rio, with helpful tips and phrases.