Pretty much every morning I go for a 10km walk; the first hour and a bit is done at a fastish 'exercise' pace but then I usually reach quite a nice large bench which surrounds 3 sides of a large planter (with large trees) on the street outside an indoor games/entertainment complex on the main street (Avenida Paulista for those who know São Paulo, near the Casa das Rosas cultural centre and rather a nice rose garden).
I know smoking is OK there because a) the games centre puts out large ash trays for their punters and b) 'cos there are a lot of cigarette smokers on the streets of São Paulo.
Anyway, I was having a relaxing smoke watching the world go past when up screams a motorbike belonging to the Policia Militar (despite the name, they are state uniformed police although closest international equivalent is probably French Gendarme - we have Policia Civil - plain clothes/detective - and Guardia Civil - city police - too).
He said something I didn't quite catch over the engine of his bike then waved a cigarette and demonstrated his Bic was out of fuel; so I leant him my pipe lighter, he lit his cigarette, said thankyou and then left with a friendly wave.
(The police don't smoke on duty but they do park up their bikes and have a smoking break just a short distance away from where I was; I guess his mates weren't around and he spotted I was smoking so problem solved.)
I know smoking is OK there because a) the games centre puts out large ash trays for their punters and b) 'cos there are a lot of cigarette smokers on the streets of São Paulo.
Anyway, I was having a relaxing smoke watching the world go past when up screams a motorbike belonging to the Policia Militar (despite the name, they are state uniformed police although closest international equivalent is probably French Gendarme - we have Policia Civil - plain clothes/detective - and Guardia Civil - city police - too).
He said something I didn't quite catch over the engine of his bike then waved a cigarette and demonstrated his Bic was out of fuel; so I leant him my pipe lighter, he lit his cigarette, said thankyou and then left with a friendly wave.
(The police don't smoke on duty but they do park up their bikes and have a smoking break just a short distance away from where I was; I guess his mates weren't around and he spotted I was smoking so problem solved.)