Rain check

On the Oscars this year a reporter asked Timothée Chalamet if he could do the ‘skrt, skeet’ on the fly. He asked for a rain check. I asked for a rain check also for this post. Today I’m using it.

During my first trip to the US in 2000, I attended a training in Atlanta. The training lasted for 40 days. There was a van who took me everyday from the hotel to where I was having the classes. And as it was expected, everyday we got different people. The same thing happened in the hotel lobby, or restaurant, or bar, during the breakfast or happy hour. I was the only guest in the hotel staying for such a long period, it seemed. But as I was eager to make friends, improve my English, I talked with everyone. And I must say, they were super nice and friendly. But after some time, I became a little annoyed. Everyone kept asking me the same questions when they found out I was Brazilian.

Soccer

Brazil had recently won its fourth title in the World Cup. It was soon to conquer its fifth in 2002. This meant that it was in the peak of its campaign, playing very well everywhere, and in the spotlight. So everyone asked me about the players, the campaign, if I played soccer myself, and so on. The thing is, I’m not a soccer guy. I know very little apart from what happens during the World Cup. So, when people associated me with this topic, over and over, it begun getting on my nerves.

Carnival

The other conversation topic that I knew next to nothing, was Carnival. They wanted to know about the samba schools, who won that year, how was it like in the streets, etc. At that time, I never had gone to a single parade in my entire life. I didn’t have the experience to describe how the Carnival was. It was kind of painful and embarrassing for me not knowing how to answer that.

After I returned to Brazil, I made a point of attending the parades in the streets. I also went to the Sambódromo to watch the schools over the next years. And to be honest, I loved the energy! Today when I am asked, I don’t get annoyed as back then, on the contrary. I proudly describe the joy and carefree celebrations that unite Brazilians from North to South during this holiday.

To be honest, I think what annoyed me the most was my inability to describe my own culture very well. I realize this now when I look back. I was too young too and had other views about the world. In short, it was all my fault. But I rectified that. To everyone who asks me today I am happy to talk about food, holidays, sports or anything connected with Brazil. It’s a beautiful country with such a kind and friendly people!