In Brazil, when people speak of the cultura de ficar, they are referring to the modern practice of casually displaying affection in public, and the general tendency of young people to warm up to each other rather quickly.

It is very common in Brazil for people who have just met to wildly make out if they are getting along quite well. This may seem strange to foreigners, especially with the connotations that many of us have with public displays of affections. to many this behavior implies that the couple engaging in the affection are headed off to bed in short order; this is certainly not the case in Brazil. Most of the time, the action of ficando means nothing more than hey, we seem to be getting along, let’s have some fun. Naturally, this comes across as a strange custom to many of us from less libertine societies.

Brazil has a reputation as being an overly sexual nation, and it is not my place to argue either side of this debate, but it is important to remember that for every ounce of sexuality, there is arguably a pound of affection and endearment.

It’s not just young people that get in on the public display of affection act! It is common to see older couples enjoying themselves at restaurants or on the beach, spending hours talking, laughing and kissing. Though odd to some of us foreigners, can one really argue with a society that welcomes people being themselves and showing their affection, regardless of age.