Please, no stereotyping or religion.
"And tell me, you feel “exactly” the same if you see a black person, Jewish person, Asian person and white person walk behind you."
Yes of course, I do. Because crime is linked to poverty, not ethnicity.
I went to Brazil earlier this year, and completely avoided the favelas and tensed up and took MAJOR precautions while staying in Copacabana near the ghetto to avoid getting mugged by the predominantly white thugs there. Some areas in Philippines are a major no go like Tondo in Manila. And i absolutely relax when i see a well-dressed Asian on the subway, or well dressed anyone there. And here in St. Louis where i am now, i will tense up at night whenever there is someone, but the casinos are in terrible areas. Because crime has and always will be linked to poverty, not race.
Norm gave a warning below to keep comments related to BJ, so ill try to respect that. Please know that all contact from you is entirely unwelcome, and I dont wish to ever associate with you in any way, ever.
Best regards, JackVegas
Ahh, Rio. Stayed twice passed through twice. One of the two most magnificent views I've seen. Crime, yes, as follows poverty. I know two folks had their wallets lifted -- oddly both were South American, but not Brazilian. I stayed at the juncture of Copacabana and Ipanema. Two blocks in from Copa is a bad district. But, I never had difficulty wandering the streets. Either I was lucky or just looked relaxed. Looking nervous in the presence of cops, criminals, or pitbosses is a dead giveaway. Vinho branco helped. But, much of the crime occurs on the beaches in broad daylight, not in the "dangerous" areas. A pair will look for someone moneyed or American on the beach; one will push a gun into the guy's back and say hand over your hotel key. The other will take the key and rob the hotel room while the first stands guard. No one on the beach interferes. Only Americans are stupid enough not to leave their hotel keys at the desk. You can trust the good hotels. People leave their shoes out in the hall overnight to be polished. At least, that's how it all used to work.
If anyone thinks this is political; I'll remove it. AP, when traveling, does require some knowledge of local custom.
"I don't think outside the box; I think of what I can do with the box." - Henri Matisse
Last edited by JackVegas; 09-07-2021 at 06:34 PM.
Haven't been there in a quarter century. All business visits. At one conference there, I gave a presentation to people from a bunch of South American countries. No idea what it was about.
"I don't think outside the box; I think of what I can do with the box." - Henri Matisse
At that time, the police didn't do much. The country was in bad shape with massive inflation. So bad that they kept changing the currency. The inflation joke used to be, which is cheaper, a taxi or bus. A taxi because you pay at the end of the trip. (Same joke in Argentina back then.) Don't like Sao Paolo though. Knew a guy who worked there. He lived in Rio and flew back and forth instead of staying.
The tourists came anyway because it's Rio.
originalrio.jpg
"I don't think outside the box; I think of what I can do with the box." - Henri Matisse
Around 25 years ago I was staying near San Diego and decided to go to Tijuana, Mexico for the day. The people were obviously very poor and we were told to stay within the tourist zone of the city and we would be safe. There was a moderate police presence but outside that area you were on your own. I think it was the same thing…the authorities decided to protect this area because of the tourist dollars. A lot of dodgy shopkeepers and the occasional kid asking for money. I remember one old man standing on a corner with a donkey offering to take my photo sitting on the cart. I agreed and he put a hat on my head saying “The Tequila Kid”, took a black and white photo with an old box brownie camera and then developed it in the street. I gave him $10 and his eyes shone like he had won the lottery.
Casino Enemy No.1
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