Saturday, August 02, 2008

Birthday Party, Brazilian-Style

One of the greatest things about traveling abroad is getting to experience different cultures and to see how people do things differently. Brazilian culture is certainly different from American culture and here's a perfect example:

We were invited to a birthday party for a five-year-old, which was to be held tonight. The party started at 9:00 pm. There were no less than 100 people there. And the sugar-filled goodies were supplied in abundance--with no parent making any attempt to curtail any child's consumption of such, and many encouraging each child (whether their own or not) to have more. Jeff and I are all about a good birthday party, but we sat in a corner with two other American couples with our jaws on the floor, unable to process what we were seeing. We left early (about 10:15), using the baby as an excuse, but there were still children running around everywhere and almost literally bouncing off the walls. And now I'm wondering whom of my American friends is willing to volunteer to bring this aspect of Brazilian culture to America? Go ahead and raise your hands. We are all interested in knowing who among us is so crazy. But crazy or not, it was a fun party, and I'm sure little Simon will remember it with fondness, at least until next year's bash.

2 comments:

  1. Wow. That's pretty much insane.

    And here I thought some little kids' parties I'd been to here were over the top.

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  2. That sounds incredible. I'm sure you were overwhelmed.

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