there is one truth about cariocas that is hard to deny - those who do watch football are passionate and die-hard fans who shout, cheer, and weep for their chosen team - they are also long-time card-carrying members of the fan club, along with every member of their family and everyone in their neighborhood.

in true carioca fashion, soccer fosters some of the fiercest rivalries the city over and it does not hurt to do some research before going to rio as to not fumble when discussing the notorious flamengo versus fluminense rivalry, termed 'fla-flu', or bringing up the contentious and sensitive topics of argentina or germany - above all, and more than anything, being genuine is what matters most, soccer enthusiast or not.