Being polite does not require you to suffer bigots and jerks. Trust me when I tell you that the J’sW types do not warrant your kindness.
(I never thought I would come out of lurk mode in the Pit)
Um outro americano bobo quer falar…
(another silly American wants to speak…)
I guess I will just add another “me to” to the long list of others…
I feel that you are suffering the consequences of two factors: many kids are just plain mean (the majority grow out of it), and many Americans do not have broad experience with other cultures.
As for the mean kids, they don’t care that you are Brazilian. They are simply choosing something that is different about you that they can use to get you upset (notice how they discuss your weight – an entirely different subject, but equally useful for their unpleasant goal). I don’t know what to say about this. I was in countless fights as a child because of teasing, and I still can never forget how angry I felt when a teacher told me “Just count to ten…”
Let’s look at the other part of the picture: slightly sheltered Americans. Surely, there are bad people out there, but there are far more good people. As so many before me have said, it is likely that most people who ask you silly questions are curious or are simply trying to find some common ground.
I am certain that they do not wish to anger or displease you. Once you know that a person truly does not wish to upset you, it is often easier to overlook tired old jokes or cliches.
I can say this because I feel I have at one time or another in my life been one of those ignorant people you describe (and maybe I still am!)
When I first heard Portuguese spoken, I had no idea what language it was. It had a delightful sound about half-way between French and Spanish. I didn’t know it was a language. You mean they don’t speak Spanish in Brazil?
When I first met my wife, I asked many of the same questions you have to deal with. My impression of her homeland was one of dense jungle – after all, the only thing I had ever heard of was the Brazilian rain forest, and Pele, of course.
Was I an ignorant person? I think that word is much to harsh. I had graduated from high school with a well-rounded education that just didn’t go too deeply into other cultures. I have been married to her for over a decade now, and I cherish every moment I spend on the few trips we manage to make to the southern continent. I am certain that the majority of Americans who you encounter would enjoy the Brazilian lifestyle: the warm caring people who always seem far more easy-going than my own neighbors.
If you have the time and opportunity, please share with people some glimpses into your own culture. Tell them some select things about your city (but not in a confrontational tone: “my city is bigger than NY, so THERE!”). Make them go home thinking “I learned something new today.”
Some of the most profound experiences I had in Brazil were those that involved trivial mundane things that let me know the obvious: that people are going about their lives in big cities and small towns in South America without a bit of concern over what happens in America. They are thinking about paying the bills, worrying about that guy who has been hanging around their daughter a lot, deciding when they will take the car to fix the dent they got on a queibra-mola (speed bump) last week. Talking politics with their neighbor over a couple of beers.
While you are at it, tell them what you like about American culture – it is always interesting to see things through the eyes of a newcomer, and this might open their eyes to problems they never considered, such as how challenging it is to perform arithmetic in a language other than your own!
About that math teacher…
I suppose he has probably not spoken a foreign language before. For whatever psychological reasons, it seems that numbers just work better in your mother tongue. I could probably convince a paulista that I was a carioca (but I couldn’t convince a carioca of this), but I wouldn’t dream of doing any math in Portuguese – it has to be English for me.
Does he have the right to yell at you about this? Probably not, but we have no idea of his true tone and intent. I’d take the high road and politely tell him that it is very difficult to think math in a foreign language, and shouldn’t the focus be the math itself?
I actually did meet one Brazilian I didn’t like, in 1992. He looked me straight in the eye and proceeded to tell me everything bad about America for a half hour. My attempts at steering from the subject had no effect, so I moved on.
Oh and one small point… I do agree with others that you might wish to restrain from phrasing things in a way that appears to be critical of others. For example, you personally know of your many language skills, and you should feel good about your accomplishments, but if announced to others, the truly unpleasant folks will get worse and the nice folks might be turned off by what they feel is a note of arrogance. Allow these things to naturally show through and the quality people will be well aware of your value as a person.
Abraços
minor7flat5
OMG LOl you must go to school with my niece…She goes to school in macomb too- from what she tells me they can be pretty ignorant, good luck in macomb though. You know what I think i even know who you ae LMAO small world
Wow now after reading the thread I see you do know my niece, Tell LaVella I said Hi 
hey deadly nigthlight
vella tells me lots about u. even the love of your life marcos. Vella ios the nicst peson i have ever met. she is my best sister and my best friend. she has tought me so much. plus she is always there for me no matter what. even when her best friend tell her un true things she was only one to stay my friend. plus she is a quick learner. she speaks portuguese very well. thta is why not this feb but next feb my parent said they pay for her to stay in brazil with me for the brazilian marti gra. plus when ever she wants to come. she said u each her many things and she loves u more than anyone because no matter how mad she makes u u always love her anyway. i think she gets all her kindness and love from u.
bruna
Holy smokes! Small world is right.
yes this is a small world
vella