Brazil

Posted on: August 21, 2009 at 5:11AM

You'll be amazed what a few words spoken in Portuguese can do for your trip in Rio de Janeiro. From saying a simple, "Oi, como vai?" or asking a merchant, "Quanto custa?", your entire trip can do a 180 turnaround. Showing respect to natives by attempting to speak several words will put a smile on their face as well as decrease the chances of getting overcharged along the way. From hailing a cab on Atlantica to buying unique artisan crafts, attempting a few Portuguese words can minimize the likelihood of getting ripped off. Many travelers cease to recognize English isn't the primary language of every country and natives do not need to know it because they feel it should be the norm. With that said, learn some conversational Portuguese and you'll be on your way to becoming a carioca! report a problem