Parties and Teenage Culture

Teenage Culture

It probably comes as no surprise, that along with many other things, teenage culture and parties are a bit different halfway across the globe. What I didn’t expect though, was just how many similarities there are too. Especially in todays world where the internet and social medias so easily connect all of us.

There are however still a lot of differences: both bad and good, although most of it simply comes down to preference.

Let me start with the teenage culture, as that’s what I first encountered. Of course I knew a bit about the culture before I arrived from both Rotary, the internet and my mom, but what the adults often forget, is the differences between generations and the entire subculture of young people. When for example I was told about the beauty culture of women here, which included a huge focus on getting hair and nails done, shopping, plastic surgery etc. it’s something I can see in the older generations, but while it’s still there to some degree in the younger generations, it’s a lot less than I or others expected based on stereotypes. Of course I can’t speak for everyone in Brazil, and it could be a biased opinion based on just my friendgroup and social circle, but it’s also the general observation I’ve made out and about.

As I mentioned the internet and social media also plays a huge role in minimizing differences and giving us all access to some of the same things, we now have in common. For example the brazilian teens have a bunch of brazilian music, but they also listen to Harry Styles, Ariana Grande or Nirvana, and while it might be dubbed to portuguese, they also watch Marvel and Netflix.

A lot of the teenagers here are also very politically engaged, and thanks to (again) the internet and great geography/sociology teaching, it’s some of the same social issues we care about, and some of the same causes/people we support.

All in all there’s enough similarities for us to relate to each other, but enough differences for it to still be interesting, and there has definitely been some culture shock along the way.

Birthday Parties

Birthday parties here are usually a pretty big deal. Everyone dresses up in fancy clothes, and there’s often buffet with fancy packed sweets and a giant cake. The kind of cake I’ve only really seen for huge parties or weddings. Often they even have DJ’s or live music and a bunch of servants, cooks and mixologists.

The biggest birthday parties here are for turning 15, but because of the pandemic, a lot of the big parties where postponed until now. While it’s definitely bigger and fancier than I’m used to, they usually manage to keep a nice and welcoming atmosphere with a bunch of music and dancing.

The dancing is a whole thing in itself. We might think, we dance at danish parties, but it’s nothing compared to the Brazilians. It’s like they were all just born with rythm in their body. The teenagers even know fully choreographed dances from music videos or earlier performances from the dance club. Even at family parties everyones dancing no matter age, and it’s truly a way to get together and put a smile on everyones face.

I’m not personally the best dancer, and I must admit it was a bit nervewrecking in the beginning, but after being dragged into every dance circle, I’ve learned to just enjoy it. Hopefully my dancing skills will improve after a year here.

General Parties and Churrascos

Of course they also have “normal” parties here, and while they’re more similar to what I know, there’s still a lot of differences.

First of all there’s the security. Because the city here is not exactly safe at night (or at anytime really), all parties are held at the “party hall” at peoples houses with security to get in, strict rules to not leave and everyone getting picked up by the parents. While it makes sense for this place, it’s a little weird and I can’t help but feel a bit bad for all the parents driving their kids around in the middle of the night, when I’m so used to us being able to transport ourself in Denmark.

The alcohol is a big thing too. While I’m not allowed to drink due to Rotary rules, I’m surprised at how little the brasilians drink too. Of course it’s illegal to drink under 18 here, but that hasn’t stopped teenagers in other parts of the world.

For over a year I haven’t been drinking in Denmark either, and while I’ve never experienced direct peer pressure, there is just a very heavy drinking culture, and it can a time be hard to feel like a part of the group without a big effort, if you’re not drinking. Here it’s completely different: there’s a lot less alcohol (not even at every party) and just not a lot of focus on it at all. People have although been very respectful of me not drinking (although it might help, that I probably look very drunk trying to dance).

We also have a lot of pool parties and Churrascos, which is kind of like a mix between barbeque and potluck, where everyone brings something for dessert/drinks/side dishes and the hosts prepares the meat. Here they also have the tradition of “Amigos Secretos”, where everyone draws a random name and buys chocolate and write a card for this person. At the party everyone then takes turns to give hints about their person, until the rest can guess who it is. It’s a really sweet tradition, that I’ve done with friends, in school, with family and even at a Rotary churrasco.

All in all parties and social gatherings are different here but definitely not worse. Wether it’s at parties or just going to the mall to get ice cream and shop, I’m having a great time with my friends and family, and I already now know, it’s gonna be really hard to say goodbye.