Talking in French and typing in English, I just hit the wrong key:

2... Be patient and plan way ahead. Taxi's are relatively safe, but keep your luggage in the boot, or out of sight inside, as incidents with theives on motorcycles occur.

3. Safety in General: When in Rome.... and Rome as we know has crime. Since this is your first time, it is known as SAMPA to the young. Everything is available in SP from excellent restaurants, to better brand stores. Comments of how expensive everything is go with the boom economy Brasil is enjoying.

A coveted Nespresso machine I bring as a gift now and then is 100 Euros, 150-250 US Dollars, and R$ 1000 in Brasil ! It used to be Johnny Walker Red or Black, but Nespressos are very appreciated in the land of the finest coffee in the world. Hard to figure, but go with the flow, and it is 110v-60 electrical, with PAL-M TV. (You are allowed such gifts when arriving without duty fees; You don't need to hide it ).

The hard part is buying a 110V machine in 220-240 Europe.

There is much to see and do in SP, but try and travel in a group if you can, and without a lot of cameras, Ipods, etc. I wear a suit on business, and slacks and a shirt when casual. No watch ( just a small pcoket-sized cellphone ). If you want to go and see something, perhaps the Contemporary Art Museum, or the famous Mercado Central, ask about it first, how you are planning to travel there, and listen to suggestions, especially at night. Whenever I go out I lock away my passporte and take the minimal of credit cards and R$.

I have never had a problem, but read about others that have. There is crime everywhere, even in Zurich, but as pointed out to me here in this thread, there is a difference in scale. Just take the normal low profile precautions suggested here, which all have merit.

I'll close this with the olde refrain that Paulistas have to work so Cariocas can play. There is an appreciated good, hardwork ethic here, but in this good economy, Paulistas like to enjoy themselves and play too.

I hope this is helpful to you.