it is rare to walk around the city of rio without seeing people smile or laugh as cariocas are particularly good-humored, always striving to see the positive and amusing side of life - carioca's type of day-to-day humor is one of gentle and cheeky ribbing, always accompanied with a carefree smile and glimmer in the eye.

cariocas tend to be self-deprecating, often making fun of themselves for being messy, or too loud - right away, this modest sense of humour is enough to make others feel at ease, removing any heavy energy from the atmosphere. 

some say that their good humour derives in large part from a great history of struggle - facetious comedy is a way of confronting difficulties and problems without letting them overwhelm or disturb.