Brazilian Tax

What is it with Brazilians I meet and their need to be petulant and arrogant? Are they inherent traits of the people? Even a friend's Brazilian girlfriend, who initially seemed sweet as pie and so un-Brazilian in her lack of self-importance and indignation at all things non-Latin, soon couldn't contain herself any longer. Imagine my surprise (and equal parts delight and embarrassment) during a recent trip to France when she:

1. Threw a tantrum when her requested meal was not available for dinner.
2. Was challenged by a proud French waiter at lunch, who quite clearly knew how to wait and provide his service, and didn't need a spoilt princess barking at him.

My views are somewhat skewed by my occupational exposure to Brazilians, the majority whom are in London "studying" on student visas and earning tax-free pocket money in the oldest occupation. And are demanding and ever ungrateful. And I'm the one getting taxed. Surely it should be the other way around. Humility is not a sin. Saying, "Thank you," once in a while is not a sin. And give up with the poor developing nation shit - I don't regard a Louis Vuitton handbag to be a basic necessity, or the lack of, human deprivation.

Although my line of work exposes me to the sensitivities and wonderful complexities of human nature, I'm also exposed to the worst elements. I, by second nature, profile people now despite my desire to be open-minded. Walking stereotypes confront me daily (and I can't even describe them here anonymously for it means that I have to face up to the possibility that I might actually be racist) reinforcing my pre- and mis- conceptions. I laugh and jest but secretly I'm not joking sometimes. That is my secret shame.