It has become apparent to me on several occasions that Brazilians do not typically "stock up" on household items the way North Americans do. Deep Freezers are less common, kitchens are tiny, and storage space is at a premium.
Living in rural communities growing up, we were stocker-uppers. When we'd visit the city, we'd hit Costco and other big box stores, and get not just the essentials, but items which were difficult to source living in a small centre. It was also a good way to justify all those trips out of town.
So, I realize I'm a bit of a packrat, and the Brazilians don't let me forget it either. Two examples just this week:
1) At Mundo Verde, I spot roasted pumpkin seeds. Since these are a great nut-like treat for yours-truly-with-a-fatal-nut-allergy, I buy two containers. They are not a snack I see everywhere here. The cashier ensures I realize I am buying two of the EXACT same item... by asking if I'm sure I want two things that are the same, no less than four or five times.
2) The other night I stepped out to buy DIAPERS. Going through a few of those these days... (diapers-in-Brazil review coming soon, folks). After being unable to find size P diapers for Canadoca in the brand I've decided I like at a few drugstores (good thing there are about 4 drugstores per block around here!), I finally spot a few packages at the Pacheco down the street. There are 10 in each package (about a day's supply), so I buy 4 packages. The cashier looks at me, looks at the diapers, narrows her eyes looking puzzled, and asks me if they are all the same...
So my question is this: do people go and buy diapers every day here? Or what?
We have no choice here but to stock up. If you see it: buy it! Otherwise it won't be there next time you want it.
Posted by: Typ0 | June 14, 2009 at 09:02 AM
On the pumpkin seeds.. I'm sure I have a recipe if you'd like. But part of it sometimes is not wanting to make it yourself so you buy it XD
Posted by: Dani | June 14, 2009 at 11:29 AM
I remember buying diapers every 3 days or so and would always try to keep at least one "emergency" package. Space is so limited, no way to stockpile. I used to buy the Turma da Monica Soft Touch or Huggies and both brands would suddenly be out of stock from time-to-time, sometimes for several weeks at a time. I find the same problem with Tampax here. The horror! = )
Posted by: Stephanie | June 14, 2009 at 12:30 PM
I always try to buy the jumbo packages, but living in a house I have a little more space. But the main reason to stock up on non-perishibles, is that you can never guarantee that the store that sold a certain brand you have come to like will re-stock it when they run out. I have gone to major supermarkets (Carrefour and Extra) and they have been out of refined sugar or most brands of milk at times.
Posted by: Corinne | June 15, 2009 at 09:33 AM
I used to live here part-time, so I would bring a suitcase full of Huggies diaper and wipies jumbo packs each visit. Believe it or not, I still have some wipies left in one of those re-sealable jumbo bags - and they're fine. Here's the punch line: my youngest just turned 9! All this humidity is good for things like that.
Over time, I have developed a "worth bringing back from the US list," which has what I consider the best-bang-for-the-price-and-effort essentials:
garbage bags
ziplock bags
razors
foil
dishwasher detergent (tablets)
multi-pack band-aids
Posted by: Mary | June 17, 2009 at 01:54 PM
I never in a million years would have thought that packing mass quantities of baby wipes to take to a foreign country would be a good idea (so heavy!!).... then I moved to Brazil. I brought a bunch down before I had Canadoca. I use them VERY sparingly!! The Brazilian ones are very heavily scented, even the ones marked "natural" - they also seem to fall apart very easily.
Posted by: Daily Rio Life | June 22, 2009 at 06:46 PM