Brazilians top for New Year celebrations: Survey
Purchase this article for republication
Buy SPH photos-
Followers of Afro-Brazilian religion Umbanda carry flowers and offerings for Iemanja, goddess of the sea, in Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on Dec 29, 2012. Every end of the year, worshippers present gifts to the sea goddess to give thanks for the year that is finishing and ask for blessings for the upcoming new year. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
-
Beach goers enjoy themselves next to candles lighted by followers of Afro-Brazilian religion Umbanda in tribute of Lemanja, goddess of the sea, in Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on Dec 29, 2012. Every end of the year, worshippers present gifts to the sea goddess to give thanks for the year that is finishing and ask for blessings for the upcoming new year. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
-
A man kicks a ball at the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on Dec 25, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
-
Fifty thousand biodegradable balloons are released by Sao Paulo's Commercial Association (ACSP) at Patio do Collegio, the historical Jesuit church and school founded in 1554 as the foundation of the city, Sao Paulo, Brazil on Dec 28, 2012. An office boy first released 100 balloons in 1992 and the event then turned into tradition for celebrating New Year when ACSP took over. -- PHOTO: AFP
-
White balloons float away during a balloon release as part of a year-end tradition in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil on Friday, Dec 28, 2012. The annual event is organised by the city's commerce association. -- PHOTO: AP
-
Picture taken on Dec 29, 2008, shows Vinalopo grapes being prepared at a vineyard in Novelda, eastern Spain for consumption on New Years eve. As the clock strikes 12, millions will pop champagne corks and light fireworks while others indulge in quirkier New Year's rituals like melting lead, leaping off chairs or gobbling grapes. -- PHOTO: AFP
Followers of Afro-Brazilian religion Umbanda carry flowers and offerings for Iemanja, goddess of the sea, in Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on Dec 29, 2012. Every end of the year, worshippers present gifts to the sea goddess to give thanks for the year that is finishing and ask for blessings for the upcoming new year. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Beach goers enjoy themselves next to candles lighted by followers of Afro-Brazilian religion Umbanda in tribute of Lemanja, goddess of the sea, in Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on Dec 29, 2012. Every end of the year, worshippers present gifts to the sea goddess to give thanks for the year that is finishing and ask for blessings for the upcoming new year. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
A man kicks a ball at the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on Dec 25, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Fifty thousand biodegradable balloons are released by Sao Paulo's Commercial Association (ACSP) at Patio do Collegio, the historical Jesuit church and school founded in 1554 as the foundation of the city, Sao Paulo, Brazil on Dec 28, 2012. An office boy first released 100 balloons in 1992 and the event then turned into tradition for celebrating New Year when ACSP took over. -- PHOTO: AFP
White balloons float away during a balloon release as part of a year-end tradition in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil on Friday, Dec 28, 2012. The annual event is organised by the city's commerce association. -- PHOTO: AP
Picture taken on Dec 29, 2008, shows Vinalopo grapes being prepared at a vineyard in Novelda, eastern Spain for consumption on New Years eve. As the clock strikes 12, millions will pop champagne corks and light fireworks while others indulge in quirkier New Year's rituals like melting lead, leaping off chairs or gobbling grapes. -- PHOTO: AFP
LONDON (REUTERS) - Dancing to the beat alongside a Brazilian on Copacabana beach on New Year's Eve appears to be the dream way to ring in 2013 if a global survey of 17,000 people is any indicator.
The survey conducted by social network Badoo.com (www.badoo.com) across 17 countries and four continents showed Brazilians were considered the top nationality the rest of the world would most like to share New Year's with.
Americans ranked second in the poll, with Spaniards, Italians and the French coming third, fourth and fifth. Belgians and Swiss ranked joint last.
"This seems harsh on the Swiss and Belgians", Badoo director Louise Thompson said. "But I can understand that most people would rather celebrate New Year's Eve on a beach in Brazil than by huddling against the cold in northern Europe."
