Why do Lebanese have a very good reputation in Southern America?

**Chaos One** · 05-13-2021, 04:23 AM

Well, even Lebanese and Syrian muslims here in Brazil don't face problems at all. Most recent refugees from Syria who arrived here say openly that at first they wanted to move to Europa or US, but seeing how arabs tend not to be accepted, they are happy that Brazil is their home now.

Lebanese people mixed really fast here. Some changed their surnames when arrived to feel like locals, learn the language, etc. Never faced any problems with Colonials (while Italians were a problem for locals here in São Paulo, for example). They are that little exotic bit which everyone feels interested too. Many levantine dishes are common here and some people do eat on a daily basis, even.

**Ranger0075** · 05-13-2021, 09:39 PM

Latin American Levantines have nothing to do w European refugees

They were not that different from Iberians culturally, they were allies for centuries even

I know last decades Lebanon becomes a Muslim majority country, so it may have changed a lot, most Lebanese here are from 1900 and at least 3 generation Latin Americans and so.

**luc2112** · 05-13-2021, 10:38 PM

The first Lebanese-Syrians to come to South America were not Arabs. They were Catholics from the Roman Empire's dominion region who were fleeing the Muslim expansion of Saudi Arabia.

They seem to belong to a better class of Lebanon/Sirya, they are prosperous people. Brazil only received a few Arab-Muslim Lebanese refugees in the Lebanese civil war in the 1980s.

**luc2112** · 05-13-2021, 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by Rafael Passoni

Why these refuges don't go to Brazil instead Europe? They will be wellcome there. They don't known what they are losing.

Europe has greater geographical proximity to these regions.
Immigrants who come to Brazil are entrepreneurs and are not looking for low-skilled jobs (they would hardly find it in my opinion)

**Rafael Passoni** · 05-13-2021, 11:23 PM

Arab community wellcoming them:

"In spite of the distance from Syria comparatively
to European countries, Brazil is often chosen as a destiny country due to
two main reasons: the humanitarian visa granted to people affected by the
instability in Syria, that demands less requirements than a regular visa,
and the possibility of acquiring a working permit even before the refuge
status is granted. However, Syrian refugees/refuge seekers face challenges
in accessing labor market due to language barriers, difficulties in proving
previous professional qualifications and the discrimination against
refugees of arab origin."

The highlighted part is not true, they will not face any sort of discrimination here. Maybe few mad people (1/1.000.000) will do it.
They easily make 600 USD/month only selling kebabs on street and it doesn't require so much language knowledge.

Source:http://dx.doi.org/10.14393/RFADIR-v48n1a2020-50515
https://jornal.usp.br/atualidades/re...e-em-curitiba/

**Gauthier** · 05-14-2021, 11:02 AM

In Mexico the Lebanese community is basically reduced to Mexico City. They do have a good reputation there since many of them became successful business people.