I think that Rio and I are now like family. In the sense that it's okay for me to say how it is, and reveal its negatives, but I sure don't like it when other people do...
On the Oprah episode.
I will preface my comment by saying that I think that Oprah has gotten awfully used to getting what she wants. Can't blame her, really. But it sure seems as though she has sour grapes over this lost Olympic bid. I was also watching SNL the other day and there was a sketch where "Obama" wishes the Olympic committee good luck with Rio with a bit of an eye roll. I'm not sure if that sketch was based on an actual event or not but it indicated he was a bit bitter as well.
Anyway! On the episode of Oprah about women around the world, I have the following comments to share:
- It seems a bit absurd to even attempt to "show how people live" in 5 different countries in a span of an hour. Lofty goal at best. I've been here almost 2 years and every day I feel as though I have it LESS figured out.
- I felt that Oprah was unnecessarily negative about Brazil, compared to how she was about other countries. Given the fact that she gushed on and on about the bread in Denmark (who cares?) and then basically only asked questions about Rio that referred to the negative aspects such as favelas and plastic surgery. I liked the woman they chose to "represent" Brazilian women, and thought it very interesting that they also went in to the favela.
- I watched the "after the show" extra footage on Oprah's web site and was disappointed to see that her negativity continued towards Rio. The subject at hand was how long children remain living at home, and the woman's children were still living at home in their early 20's, which she said she loved. Oprah's comment was that in her country that would be considered to be mooching off of the parents. I think if you look at statistics, this is actually becoming more the norm in North America as well, while young adults are still going to University, etc.
- It wasn't just the Rio portion that irritated me about this episode. Oprah did not seem to be paying attention in the least. For example, she asked questions that had already been answered five minutes earlier in the pretaped segments, and then had a very difficult time wrapping her head around a simple concept of cost of living and pay/taxation being different in Denmark and Dubai. This may not seem like a big deal, but when you are trying to portray what "life is like" in another country in such a short period of time, repeating questions is a total disservice to the viewer.
- The reason her attitude towards Brazil is so disappointing is because most people who watch her show will never make it here themselves, rather this is just one glimpse for them which will likely form their opinion, and hers is based on having lost a competition, not even her own experiences here as she hasn't even been here.
I just stumbled across your site, and I love this idea. I wish there was a way for more expats to share their experiences abroad, so we can truly "see" beyond the boundaries of our US borders. Our view of the world can be so narrow! I've posted some of my travels on my own blog, but it would be nice to really share traveller/expat information on some portal - we have some much vital information about cultural differences, misperceptions to share!
And on that note - I totally agree with your oprah comments. I watched this episode as well, and thought to myself - they only way to do this idea justice is to:
a) have 1 country per episode. There are so many differences between cities within countries they may even have to make it 1 city per episode. I'd much rather see this, than the Fridays live.
b) have the country guide take more audience questions/comments. It would allow viewers to get a broader view than Oprah's narrow-minded questions/comments.
Anyway, love your site! Hope I can catch you on twitter/facebook!
Posted by: saga | November 09, 2009 at 02:25 AM
They just showed this episode yesterday here in Egypt. The woman in Dubai annoyed me to no end. That Oprah would interview someone who was obviously of such a high economic class seemed so out of touch with her usual message.
She spent 30 minutes in Denmark and then stuffed 5 other countries into what little time was left. And i still can't believe she took that bread!
Posted by: Typ0 | November 09, 2009 at 07:01 AM
Congratulations! That is how we feel every time people who never been here, but thinks that knows a lot, talk about Brazil, especially Rio!
It seems that they are always trying to show the negative points... like if they were trying to pass the message: "look how blessed we are for living in the US".
Posted by: Marcio | November 09, 2009 at 07:11 PM
I am an American student currently studying in Rio, and I am so glad I found your blog before I came here.
I haven't been here for long (going on 11 weeks), but this city has already found a place in my heart to be sure. I didn't get to see Oprah's segment on TV, but I did watch the after-show parts online, and I was very upset that she only addressed the woman in Rio for a minute and in a pretty negative way.
I'm not sure if you could email me back, but I would love to get some ideas about Rio from you. I am here for 5 more weeks, and I want to make the most of the precious time I have left here!
Posted by: Lauren | November 10, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Hi I'm Brazilian, from Rio, but I live in Boston. All they show on tv is really bad, I'm going with my husband and my twins (7 months ) to Rio in December, and I'm so scared ! Help, we are going to stay in piedade for a week then head to Arraial do Cabo, any suggestion where to go with my gringo husband ? I'been here so long !( 12 years)
Posted by: danielle Sullivan | November 10, 2009 at 07:23 PM
Haha, I feel the same about Chile. Lately I've read a couple articles written by travel writers who've spent limited time here, and even when it's positive I find myself saying "no, you've got it all wrong!" I think living abroad has tarnished travel writing for me forever because I've realized that people who've spent 5 days somewhere really can't give me the best tips on where to go, what to see, or how to understand the culture.
Posted by: Emily | November 11, 2009 at 02:05 PM
shame on Oprah talking bad abut brasil..interesting how she always talk about being raise poor but talks bad about favela? And she helps all these African people in Africa..I do not understand that?
Posted by: rocinhajj | December 08, 2009 at 12:14 PM