alexanderstephenlange
American expat in Brazil
Forum posts
26
About me
American
Registration: 09 May 2026
Assimilation: when is enough enough? by alexanderstephenlange
TL; DR some thoughts on plugging in (or not) to the culture/society. All comments welcome! How important to you is assimilation into Brazilian society? Do you even find yourself contemplating it? Is it self-imposed or something unconscious you don't ...
@hagece8690 Perhaps I should have said I will always be a foreigner,. And I am perfectly happy being here as such! A word a day! Read More
Assimilation: when is enough enough? by alexanderstephenlange
TL; DR some thoughts on plugging in (or not) to the culture/society. All comments welcome! How important to you is assimilation into Brazilian society? Do you even find yourself contemplating it? Is it self-imposed or something unconscious you don't ...
@Pablo888Brazil has so many different ethnicities and immigrant groups that I find it hard to believe you don't at least look somewhat like a Brazilian. Makes me want to ask you to post a picture. > I could be wrong - but expats will most likely ... Read More
Is it hard to become fluent in Brasilian Portuguese ? by hagece8690
FWIW I've passed the Celpe-Bras exam, and can watch videos, read, and communicate verbally with pretty much anyone here like a native, except people from Bahia KKKKKK, and when encountering regionalized slang. The reason I am asking this question, ...
@hagece8690 It really depends on the meaning of fluency (obviously, eh?) According to Google bots:"...fluency is fundamentally measured by how effectively a learner conveys meaning, even if a few mistakes are made"which is in keeping with some of ... Read More
Assimilation: when is enough enough? by alexanderstephenlange
TL; DR some thoughts on plugging in (or not) to the culture/society. All comments welcome! How important to you is assimilation into Brazilian society? Do you even find yourself contemplating it? Is it self-imposed or something unconscious you don't ...
Thanks to all who chimed in.> the Celpe-Bras test is heavily skewed (80%) towards grammatically correct, old school, formal Portuguese writing,My wife teaches the formal Portuguese you mention for concurseiros who have to confront that same bosta ... Read More
Assimilation: when is enough enough? by alexanderstephenlange
TL; DR some thoughts on plugging in (or not) to the culture/society. All comments welcome! How important to you is assimilation into Brazilian society? Do you even find yourself contemplating it? Is it self-imposed or something unconscious you don't ...
@hagece8690 Not sure if citizenship is an exact measure, my friend. I believe many here do not intend to get citizenshiip. I for one don't intend to get it. Still it's a good proxy for that state of assimilation, I found this other topic dealing ... Read More
Assimilation: when is enough enough? by alexanderstephenlange
TL; DR some thoughts on plugging in (or not) to the culture/society. All comments welcome! How important to you is assimilation into Brazilian society? Do you even find yourself contemplating it? Is it self-imposed or something unconscious you don't ...
@hagece8690> and see no need to move up the scale other than thru subconscious accrual with timeAha, that's what I was thinking, too: subconscious assimilation, without any force.... Read More
Assimilation: when is enough enough? by alexanderstephenlange
TL; DR some thoughts on plugging in (or not) to the culture/society. All comments welcome! How important to you is assimilation into Brazilian society? Do you even find yourself contemplating it? Is it self-imposed or something unconscious you don't ...
So your 1 - 100 scale sort of matches my two levels.I would probably be about 25 or 30 maybe... Read More
Assimilation: when is enough enough? by alexanderstephenlange
TL; DR some thoughts on plugging in (or not) to the culture/society. All comments welcome! How important to you is assimilation into Brazilian society? Do you even find yourself contemplating it? Is it self-imposed or something unconscious you don't ...
@abthreeAnd yes, "acculturation" is a better term for what I'm talking about.... not "assimilation".... Read More
Assimilation: when is enough enough? by alexanderstephenlange
TL; DR some thoughts on plugging in (or not) to the culture/society. All comments welcome! How important to you is assimilation into Brazilian society? Do you even find yourself contemplating it? Is it self-imposed or something unconscious you don't ...
Thanks @abthree. Very interesting and insightful responses.> the problem may be your faceAn almost invariable response to me, even when strangers simply see me walking on the street is Opa! This is a reaction I actually like (maybe a sort of ... Read More
Assimilation: when is enough enough?
TL; DR some thoughts on plugging in (or not) to the culture/society. All comments welcome! How important to you is assimilation into Brazilian society? Do you even find yourself contemplating it? Is it self-imposed or something unconscious you don't ... Read More
New members of the Brazil forum, introduce yourselves here - 2026 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Brazil forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your ...
Hello, everybody,I'm from California's Silicon Valley where I worked as a technical writer for more than 40 years. Worked for companies big and small, startups and well-established endeavors, such as Apple Inc.Have moved to Cabedelo in the Paraiba ... Read More
Google Fi phone service good in Brazil? by alexanderstephenlange
Hello, ex-patriots!I have heard that Google Fi (a service I use here in the States) works well in Brazil.Anybody have any thoughts on that?I also understand that one should switch away from Google Fi to use a less expensive, native service... ...
@Marcos_Outra_Vez thanks, marcos! Read More
Is it hard to become fluent in Brasilian Portuguese ? by hagece8690
FWIW I've passed the Celpe-Bras exam, and can watch videos, read, and communicate verbally with pretty much anyone here like a native, except people from Bahia KKKKKK, and when encountering regionalized slang. The reason I am asking this question, ...
> navigate all the normal events of day-to-day lifeIt's a fact of linguistics that this is sufficient for many people, who don't want to read poetry but simply want to order feijoada. After that, they become fossilized (the actual linguistic ... Read More
Is it hard to become fluent in Brasilian Portuguese ? by hagece8690
FWIW I've passed the Celpe-Bras exam, and can watch videos, read, and communicate verbally with pretty much anyone here like a native, except people from Bahia KKKKKK, and when encountering regionalized slang. The reason I am asking this question, ...
@hagece8690 People have often asked me, "What's he hardest language to learn?" My answer: The one you are studying now. :-)I find the time measurements from that institute sort of laughable. The difficulty of Portuguese depends on your own language ... Read More
Having trouble with credit card and debit card working by NewBrazil
Just when yesterday and today to my local supermarket to buy groceries. When I tried to pay with my international credit card it didn’t work. Called my bank they said everything thing should work. In the same store tryed to use my ...
Plus you avoid international currency exchange charges on your card transacations! Read More
Having trouble with credit card and debit card working by NewBrazil
Just when yesterday and today to my local supermarket to buy groceries. When I tried to pay with my international credit card it didn’t work. Called my bank they said everything thing should work. In the same store tryed to use my ...
@NewBrazil Some ideas from when I had the same problem in Mexico.Sounds like defective card readers. (They are probably using the same type of machines.) Try using the cards at some other store to see if they work there.Clean the mag stripe of the ... Read More
New members of the Brazil forum, introduce yourselves here - 2026 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Brazil forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your ...
At the risk of overgeneralizing, many Brazilian women really like non-Brazilian males who do not suffer from machismo or honor culture, who have no qualms about helping around the house, cooking, cleaning, etc... Read More
Google Fi phone service good in Brazil? by alexanderstephenlange
Hello, ex-patriots!I have heard that Google Fi (a service I use here in the States) works well in Brazil.Anybody have any thoughts on that?I also understand that one should switch away from Google Fi to use a less expensive, native service... ...
Thanks for the recommendation, especially the anti-recommendation for Claro. Read More
Google Fi phone service good in Brazil? by alexanderstephenlange
Hello, ex-patriots!I have heard that Google Fi (a service I use here in the States) works well in Brazil.Anybody have any thoughts on that?I also understand that one should switch away from Google Fi to use a less expensive, native service... ...
Good info, thanks! I will keep Google Fi for a while but then switch to another service in Brazil.... Read More
Retirement Visa for Brazil by abthree
The Brazilian Government has approved a replacement for the old Permanent Visa for Retirees, that was eliminated for new applicants as part of the 2017 Immigration Reform. As was the case with the old Permanent Visa (VIPER) for family reunion, the ...
did you try talking with your own consulate in Brazil for assistance? I dunno, may be that might get you going in he right direction... good luck Read More
Google Fi phone service good in Brazil? by alexanderstephenlange
Hello, ex-patriots!I have heard that Google Fi (a service I use here in the States) works well in Brazil.Anybody have any thoughts on that?I also understand that one should switch away from Google Fi to use a less expensive, native service... ...
Thanks for the advice. I'll talk more with Matthew... Read More
Mozzarella by Kurterino
This is the second time I’m opening a thread about food, and just like the last one, it’s about a dairy product (last time I inquired about cream). I like to bake a pizza once in a while, it’s a tasty meal and very easy to make at ...
@abthree Where did you get the Buffalo milk necessary for true mozzarella? :-) Read More
Google Fi phone service good in Brazil?
Hello, ex-patriots!I have heard that Google Fi (a service I use here in the States) works well in Brazil.Anybody have any thoughts on that?I also understand that one should switch away from Google Fi to use a less expensive, native service... ... Read More
With fuel prices soaring, how are you getting around in Brazil? by Veedushi
Hello everyone!In many countries, transportation costs are becoming a real challenge for expats. Some are completely changing their habits: using public transport more often, carpooling, switching to scooters… or cycling.In Denmark, for ...
@mberigan Thanks for the details and good news. Read More
With fuel prices soaring, how are you getting around in Brazil? by Veedushi
Hello everyone!In many countries, transportation costs are becoming a real challenge for expats. Some are completely changing their habits: using public transport more often, carpooling, switching to scooters… or cycling.In Denmark, for ...
@abthree Thank you, @abthree. If you want to, tell us an example of the R$ cost for a typical Uber trip, say 20 kilometers in moderate traffic/time of day. Thanks in advance! Read More
With fuel prices soaring, how are you getting around in Brazil? by Veedushi
Hello everyone!In many countries, transportation costs are becoming a real challenge for expats. Some are completely changing their habits: using public transport more often, carpooling, switching to scooters… or cycling.In Denmark, for ...
Google tells me:> As of early May 2026, the U.S. national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is approximately $4.04–$4.55, while premium gasoline averages around $5.20–$5.41. Prices are significantly higher in California, I get ... Read More