Even when it comes to age, in many other countries around the world, there is a strong generational divide - the youth congregate and celebrate together, while adults throw their own parties and events, amongst peers of similar age -  in brazil, social occasions are more cross-generational, and family is almost always a priority, whether young or old.

Even friends of friends, who have never been officially introduced in person, are embraced on first meeting - it is very common for a visitor to have a place to stay for a few days with the parents, siblings, or friends of another carioca they met outside of brazil - this is what makes most foreigners feel well taken care of and at home, immediately, often dreaming of making rio de janeiro a permanent place of residence.