Etiquette: the conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life.
Faux Pas: a social blunder.
We've all been there--social gatherings or functions that demand our best behavior. We pull out all our proper etiquette skills in our effort to show respect, intelligence (or at least not our lack thereof), sophistication and whatever else have you. Basically, we don't someone, or even ourselves, to be embarrassed by our gaucheness.
As hard as we try, sometimes, just sometimes, our adroit maneuvers fail us.... as I found out the hard way.
Now, I have been to several functions, requiring the upmost adherence to proper etiquette. Usually I walk away unscathed by any embarrassing blunders. But not always...
Did you know that in Brazil, when you leave the home after being a guest, that the guest does not open the door? Instead, the guest waits for the invitee to open the door, permitting the guests departure. AND, do you know that if the guest opens the door, the belief is that he/or she never wants to go back to the invitee's home again? Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way. Even after I tried to remedy my blunder, my maladroitness shouted loudly that day.
So! Should you ever be in Brazil, may you learn to avoid this faux pas by learning this lesson from my mistake. Wait for the host to open the door.... that is unless they put a broom behind the door to signify that you are no longer welcome.
Macacos me mordam!
J
I arrived in Brasilia this week. The trip was arduous and even twisty as a twirl slide. Where to begin?
After sitting on the tarmac for an hour, I nearly forgot that I wasn't at the notorious JFK for yet again another late departure. As the plane finally took off from the SL airport, I felt slightly apprehensive about making my first connecting flight. I knew I had a layover figuring it would be close, but believing I would make the connection. Instead, I landed at the same time my other flight was to take off.
First connection missed.
I found myself, along with about half of the people from the same flight queuing at the airline's customer service desk. Advice to airline customer service departments-- when you have over 50 people waiting in line to find another flight to their destination, DO have more than 2 (that’s right, 2) agents--man the desk. After 45 minutes in line, it was finally my turn. As the agent looks up my information, she informs me that I’ve already been rebooked on another flight. Too bad it’s about to take off. She calls the gate, tells them I am on my way, informs me that that I have 1 min (60 seconds) to run from nearly one end of the concourse to the other end. I bolt. I looked like a hot mess pulling my wheeler board with a backpack strapped on, running. Not a light jog or even a gallop; this is a full on sprint! Well, I made it. My ticket was scanned and I walked in the terminal with the door right on my heels. I am hot, sweaty and breathing deep by the time I take my seat (a middle seat again, awesome).
Now I’m on my to Chicago (instead of Toronto). Between my landing in Chicago and departure to Sao Paulo, I found myself in the Red-Carpet Room (thanks seat buddy) where, for ten minutes, I was able to take a some deep breaths of relaxation, stock up on the free snack foods and use the cleanest airport bathroom before boarding.
The reality of missing a connecting flight and being rerouted didn’t go unnoticed and I knew there was a chance that my luggage would not arrive with me. I was right. Unfortunately, my luggage had never left Salt Lake so either way, I would’ve been without my luggage. The only advantage of my luggage debacle was that I was personally walked through customs by an agent; bypassing those lines was a true relief since I still had one more connecting flight.
In Sao Paulo, I had to get my ticket and re-enter through security, not a problem but imagine my horror when I was told that I had to check my carryon. Even though there was very little in my carryon, it was the only luggage I had left so I wasn’t enthusiastic about parting with it. The agent at the counter took my bag, gave me my ticket and told me the designated gate. I had an hour layover so the only thing I could do was to sit at the gate. As I kept an eye on the time, I began getting nervous as boarding time approaches and there is no plane at the gate. I decide to walk to the counter, speak to an agent and am told that the gate to Brasilia is another gate. Blast it! If they changed my gate or I was told the wrong one, I will never know since I don’t understand the language. Let’s just say that the gate was changed (since another guy at the first gate with me ended up at the “real” gate to Brasilia). I walked quickly to my new gate where boarding has just begun. Phew! I’d made my connecting flight. So, nearly 27 hours after taking off from Salt Lake, I land in Brasilia with only my carryon and backpack. Don’t worry, the rest of my things arrived two days later.
Macacos me mordem!
J
Brasilia is great even though it is nothing like I pictured it would be... maybe because my frame of reference in New York City. Anyway I post only some of my first impressions below:
Plugs in all the drains- I guess to keep the insects and bugs out, all the drains in the house have a plug only to be opened when you are using the sink or shower.
Mango and avocado trees in backyard- love both very much.
Sounds in the morning-the birds in the morning are amazing to listen to; it is such an interesting melody.
Clean sheets-If you don't know this about me, I am particular about sheets. A sheet snob, some might say. Anyway, one thing I love is having clean sheets. AND, I am happy to report that the maid of the house changes the sheets on the bed 1-2 times a week (I am hoping for twice a week;)). Awesome right?!
Escalators have sensors- when I first saw the escalator not moving, my thought was great, I have to walk down but then as I approached it, it began moving. I had never seen such an escalator (and if they have them in the States, I missed out). Anyway, I was so elated and impressed with this conservation of energy that I have to note it.
Dry Climate- After living in New York I have come to love many things about the humidity. After spending a few days in Salt Lake I was looking forward to humidity again (maybe not as much but at least more than Utah) so you can imagine my disappointment. Oh well can't have it all.
J
My last few weeks in New York consisted of "Jamee the Tourist." I did, or tried to do all of the"I'll do someday, after all I live here so there is no rush." sort of things. Of course I did not get everything done but what I did, was awesome! I cant, (maybe don't want to) blog about everything so I chose just three; Baseball, Baseball, Football.
