Not Brazilian but I used to live there. I'd say one of the main problems for the average citizen is the general uncertainty. When you leave your house to go out

Not Brazilian but I used to live there. I'd say one of the main problems for the average citizen is the general uncertainty. When you leave your house to go out for the night, for example, you're planning your route based on what streets you're less likely to be robbed on. On TV, last year, a woman from Rio was being interviewed at the hospital and said "it used to be if you left your house, you didn't know if you'd be coming back. Now you don't even know if you'll get to where you're trying to go." Personally, and due to the mostly tropical weather, living in Brazil also means wearing simple clothes, nothing fancy (not that this was a derivation from my actual style). Some people apparently carry a stealable amount of money on them - possibly in a second wallet, in a place that can be easily reached for when/if held up. A few years ago, I saw a news report about the popularity of an anti-theft accessory for the back of one's cell phone, connected to a ring that goes on the user's finger, so that no one can run by and grab it. Though when confronted with someone who stops you and wants your phone, it's best to just give it to them, cause they could be not only armed but on drugs (ex. sniffing glue). Plus, if you do react, it's possible - depending on your location, like downtown or the beach - they have several friends nearby. Malls tend to be the de facto "public space" where teens hang out, due to a lack of actual safe public spaces. I'm sure I could say a lot more but those are some general thoughts that come to mind. Most of my years in Brazil were spent in Rio, fyi.