Cultural Capsule

I agree with Tim Patterson - speak just a few words of a local language will make easier our stay abroad. Another tip like the joke alwaws helps the interaction. You don't need to be a joker, but a word said in a right moment can be wonderful. Two years ago a young american boy visited us. He was very shy and during a conversation between my son and his collegues I don't know what happened but suddenly the american boy said loudly with a great accent: "ah moleque!". Everybody laughed a lot and appreciated the effort of him to speak something in portuguese. He broke "the ice" and after this everybody started to help him with another words and of course another jokes too.The main tip is: Don't be afraid.

Dear Eber,

Great to see you around! I loved your story with the "ah, moleque", which is sooo Brazilian and only someone really experience our culture would learn such an expression. Your point of trying to break the ice is really interesting. The boy did it perfectly, though I must say that it's a very thin line between getting it right or saying something really inconvenient. However, I'd go for your advice of not being afraid and just daring in a foreign language. That's what makes us learn and move forward, right? The adventurous ones are those who are not afraid of making mistakes and keep learning!

Hope to see you around in between your hectic schedule.

I'd like to say that talking with the heart, looking through the heart will connect people and make them interact.