favelas in rio de janeiro might be a popular topic of conversation amongst foreigners, yet they are one of the most complex, delicate, and generally misunderstood parts of the carioca culture - superficial discussions, rushed judgments, and preset opinions can easily lead to awkward situations

 anyone interested in the topic should refrain from expressing any opinion without proper study and preparation - especially in relation to the favelas in the zona sul, comments relating to the value of the local land and real estate, are generally unwelcomed by residents and can easily turn into an offensive conversation