Was in Cuiabá yesterday and read the survey in the top left corner of the following page of the local paper:

ha! Not surprising, although I know some Brasilians who would have answered differently. In general, there is a lot of dishonesty in Brasil, so there is an attitude (ethical and moral corruption) of distrust, so then there is a lot of me first (why not?) and too bad for the other guy. Loose your wallet; that's tough. It seems natural, given the environment in which these 3 people interviewed apparently live. Clearly, they have more reasons to keep the money than return it.

Such people I try to spot and avoid. I think I am anyway dealing with their equally "lovely people" parents all the time in business here. They comprise the "too many A**holes per capita" feeling I sometimes have, so I am very cautious extending trust to others...even when the contract is B&W.

This is a habit I have hardened after living here for a while. But I still know how to smile with hugs and kisses, though I will sometimes check to see if I have 5 fingers after hand shakes.

Still, I must emphasize, that I know some very lovely, sweet, honest and moral people in Brasil too.

I guess there are all kinds in this world.

Let us pray.

Originally posted by Dave Any Brazilian who complains about the "ladrões" in public office has no real justification to complain. The politians are a direct reflection of the people. I feel for the millions of decent Brazilians who have to put up with this.

So true.

It seems like lying/cheating/stealing to a certain degree (being "esperto") is often praised.  2/3 of Brazilians would probably rob just as much as current politicians, if they had their own chance to serve a public office.

I don't doubt it, nor am I surprised; however, I do know a few honest ones. 

Originally posted by Kurtz Over the last 15 years I've robbed at gun point and knife point ... Mugged, jacked, followed, ripped off, taken advantage of many times. Wasted away $185k USD rogue investment. My Apartment was robbed from my best Brasilian amigo of 4+ years. My brand new Nikes stolen 3 feet from my face in the Turco at Equipe 1. All these incidents happened in Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Barra, Recife and Salvador and SP.

Umm, so, while you were out robbing people, you were being robbed?

Did you break even?