Brazil are a 3rd world nation

[Wonderwall]

How does this happen

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26045604

Corinthians players threaten strike after attack by own fans

Players of Brazilian club Corinthians are threatening to strike unless they get protection - from their own fans.
A group of about 100 supporters, some armed with sticks and bars, broke into the training ground in Sao Paulo after a 5-1 defeat by Santos.
Peru striker Paolo Guerrero was grabbed around the neck and other players had money and mobile phones stolen.
"We Corinthians players demand that we get security in which to work in peace," a players' statement said.
"We publicly offer our support to an imminent strike proposed for this weekend by the professional players' union of Sao Paulo state in a bid to improve working conditions for the employees of the country's football teams."
Corinthians players believe more violence is imminent unless action is taken. The club says they are co-operating with the police and called on fans and media to help them identify the culprits.

and its not an isolated incident, referees are chased off pitches by players and fans, there is a lot of violence, kidnapping, corruption, violent protests etc

Imagine if all this was a constant in the UK, do you think for 1 second we would have got the world cup finals hosted here? This could be one of the worst world cups in history, no doubt they will try for a media blackout.

[phips]

wasnt that ref that was decapitated also in Brasil?

[Hazy2]

I was listening to Tim Vicary South American football expert, he was not to concerned with the situations fans might have as he had in all his time in Brazil ONLY been held up at Gun point twice, Adding if you happen to walk down the wrong street in the wrong area you are gonna get mugged.

[Wonderwall]

I was listening to Tim Vicary South American football expert, he was not to concerned with the situations fans might have as he had in all his time in Brazil ONLY been held up at Gun point twice, Adding if you happen to walk down the wrong street in the wrong area you are gonna get mugged.

Good job everyone has local knowledge then?

[bigblue]

It's like any country with a large population that has experienced rapid economic development (India, China, Indonesia, South Africa, Colombia...). A bunch of people (majority) get left behind and you start to see extreme disparities in wealth in very close proximity.

In Rio and Sao Paulo it's perfectly ok to not stop at red lights or stop signs at night in large parts of the city. In fact, Sao Paulo has one of the highest number of helipads since it allows executives to travel around the city without fear of being robbed. Brazil is also right up with South Africa in the amount of armored cars sold per year. Wonderful country and amazing vibe as long as you keep your wits about you (similar to many other central/south american countries)

Still doesn't excuse Corinthians "fans". And they need to stop being identified as supporters in the media, and just be called thugs or a gang. Same group that routinely stones their team's bus (with the players on it) if they lose a big game.

[carl_feedthegoat]

I was going to go and watch England against Italy but the match is being played in a SHITE HOLE OF A PLACE...jungle on each side and the City is ubber wank.

I have been to Sau Paulo and its also a fuckign shit hole , in fact the whole fucking country is a shite hole apart from some islands here and there and maybe some isolated beauty spots , but the real truth is that the crime is shockingly bad.

Suffice to say , Ill be watching it in the comfort of my house.

[Herb]

It should be that Brazil IS a 3rd world nation on the basis that there's only 1 Brazil. However, even that isn't correct because it isn't 3rd world, it's actually on the 2nd tier of nations not the 3rd and it's an absolutely huge nation with wonderful people who don't deserve to be tarnished by piss poor generalisations.

[carl_feedthegoat]

It should be that Brazil IS a 3rd world nation on the basis that there's only 1 Brazil. However, even that isn't correct because it isn't 3rd world, it's actually on the 2nd tier of nations not the 3rd and it's an absolutely huge nation with wonderful people who don't deserve to be tarnished by piss poor generalisations.

I gather you have not been to the country.

I have and in my experience its a shite hole.

[MilnersJaw]

lmao. how can you argue that brazil is not a 3rd world nation?

Don't let the nations GDP fool you, it is 3rd world shit hole to be frank.

[carl_feedthegoat]

lmao. how can you argue that brazil is not a 3rd world nation?

Don't let the nations GDP fool you, it is 3rd world shit hole to be frank.

I have been there and its a shit hole , and dangerous , and corrupt.

Herb knows better though.

[bigblue]

I have been to Sau Paulo and its also a fuckign shit hole , in fact the whole fucking country is a shite hole apart from some islands here and there and maybe some isolated beauty spots , but the real truth is that the crime is shockingly bad.

Rio is extremely dangerous if you venture even a few blocks from the touristy areas.
Sao Paulo has some nice restaurants and bars, but lots of crime and looks like a concrete jungle.
Salvador is also very dangerous, but so culturally rich and fun that it's worth it.
Recife is a shithole. Lots of crime, and the beaches are infested with sharks and rip currents everywhere.
Fortaleza is pretty nice. A bit remote in the north, but cleaner and safer than everywhere else and lots of good beaches.
Florianopolis is safer and tons of bars/clubs but it's too much of a rich kid party spot.

As you probably know, like almost all countries with lots of people in poverty, looking British/American (white) means most people assume you're made of money and many will take advantage accordingly. Just be smart and know what's going on around you, and you'll have a great time.

[PeterParker]

In the summer of 2012, my boss, well known journo around here, was on holiday with his wife in Bello Horizonte. They stayed a week.

In that period of time, their hotel room was broken in, someone tried to enter their room in one night, but the cherry on top must be this. In one of the last days, they were in a car with a guide. Three persons. They went not in the poor part of the city, but in the normal one and they stopped at a ... stop sign and waited for the color to turn green. Three kids approached the car, they were between 12 and 15 years old. They got where the window is and put the guns straight at them and robbed them in plain daylight.

After they took everything, one of them started shooting, just for the fun of it, but they had no bullets. They robbed them with empty guns and took a piss at the end.

This was a city less dangerous than Sao Paolo or Rio.

It will be a blood bath there. If not now, at the Olympics in 2016 for sure.

[carl_feedthegoat]

Herb , I have lived in Punta Cana DR for 18 months,maybe you can give me some advice on living here?

[carl_feedthegoat]

I have been to Sau Paulo and its also a fuckign shit hole , in fact the whole fucking country is a shite hole apart from some islands here and there and maybe some isolated beauty spots , but the real truth is that the crime is shockingly bad.

Rio is extremely dangerous if you venture even a few blocks from the touristy areas.
Sao Paulo has some nice restaurants and bars, but lots of crime and looks like a concrete jungle.
Salvador is also very dangerous, but so culturally rich and fun that it's worth it.
Recife is a shithole. Lots of crime, and the beaches are infested with sharks and rip currents everywhere.
Fortaleza is pretty nice. A bit remote in the north, but cleaner and safer than everywhere else and lots of good beaches.
Florianopolis is safer and tons of bars/clubs but it's too much of a rich kid party spot.

As you probably know, like almost all countries with lots of people in poverty, looking British/American (white) means most people assume you're made of money and many will take advantage accordingly. Just be smart and know what's going on around you, and you'll have a great time.

The thing with countries like Brasil and Mexico (to name but 2 ) you are justified in making generalizations as it 100% applies to this specific countries.
With all respect , you can be as street wise as you want but when the crime is so fuckign bad across a country you can get at no matter what do.

[bigblue]

The thing with countries like Brasil and Mexico (to name but 2 ) you are justified in making generalizations as it 100% applies to this specific countries.
With all respect , you can be as street wise as you want but when the crime is so fuckign bad across a country you can get at no matter what do.

Very true and many times in Brazil the level of crime felt similar to Guatemala (But not as bad. There most banks and gas stations are guarded by a guy with a shotgun, seeing a pickup truck full of cops armed with assault rifles was an everyday thing, and no one travels between cities at night. And just like in Brazil, you should never really walk anywhere at night, even if it's just a few blocks; take a licensed taxi from a major company).

Family friend (born in Brazil) was a journalist in Sao Paulo and wrote a few articles on logging practices in the Amazon 15 years ago. Had a hit put out on him and was forced to flee the country. Has only been safe for him to return 5 years ago. He loves the country/lifestyle. But even as a brown looking Brazilian, he warns about the violence and has to be on the lookout for random people trying to rob him when down there.

[Crossie]

Herb , I have lived in Punta Cana DR for 18 months,maybe you can give me some advice on living here?

Herbs not biting

[carl_feedthegoat]

The thing with countries like Brasil and Mexico (to name but 2 ) you are justified in making generalizations as it 100% applies to this specific countries.
With all respect , you can be as street wise as you want but when the crime is so fuckign bad across a country you can get at no matter what do.

Very true and many times in Brazil the level of crime felt similar to Guatemala (But not as bad. There most banks and gas stations are guarded by a guy with a shotgun, seeing a pickup truck full of cops armed with assault rifles was an everyday thing, and no one travels between cities at night. And just like in Brazil, you should never really walk anywhere at night, even if it's just a few blocks; take a licensed taxi from a major company).

Family friend (born in Brazil) was a journalist in Sao Paulo and wrote a few articles on logging practices in the Amazon 15 years ago. Had a hit put out on him and was forced to flee the country. Has only been safe for him to return 5 years ago. He loves the country/lifestyle. But even as a brown looking Brazilian, he warns about the violence and has to be on the lookout for random people trying to rob him when down there.

I worked in Guatemala for 3 months..the Mrs nearly left me pmsl.

[DoomMerchant]

I gather you have not been to the country.

I have and in my experience its a shite hole.

I laffed and laffed.

Cheers

[Herb]

It should be that Brazil IS a 3rd world nation on the basis that there's only 1 Brazil. However, even that isn't correct because it isn't 3rd world, it's actually on the 2nd tier of nations not the 3rd and it's an absolutely huge nation with wonderful people who don't deserve to be tarnished by piss poor generalisations.

I gather you have not been to the country.

I have and in my experience its a shite hole.

You gather wrong Carl, I've traveled extensively in Brazil and even lived in one of the city's that are hosting world cup games (Manaus) which is a bit dodgy around the port district but wonderful apart from that. The outlying towns are absolutely idyllic and I recommend anyone visiting to stay over at Alter-do-chao, where I lived off and on, which is set against a freshwater lagoon surrounded by gorgeous sandy beaches and palm trees.

All I can say is that you've been to the wrong parts Carl. The vast majority of the Brazilian people are more warm and friendly than you'd ever expect to meet in the uk. Even the poorest of the shoeshine boys in Manaus would share his last cigarette with a stranger as a matter of common decency by their fine standards.
They are a lovely people and you do them a terrible disservice by castigating the whole on the basis of your pin-hole view of their beautiful country.

[bigblue]

I worked in Guatemala for 3 months..the Mrs nearly left me pmsl.

I worked for 3 months as well down there a year and a half ago. Was mainly in Quetzaltenango, which was a lot cleaner than Guatemala City (most unsafe shithole I've ever been to by far). Since it was a last minute assignment, I didn't realize that I'd be 7,500 feet above sea level and surrounded by volcanos, which was quite a surprise!

But despite the crime, parts of Guatemala are jaw-droppingly beautiful (and so fucking cheap haha). Lake Atitlan in particular. Spent most weekends there and loved it.