Your last post on social connectivity had a link to this post of two years ago, and because my doctoral research years ago was in part based on Hofstede’s work, I found this an enjoyable read.
Thank you for highlighting this fascinating website. It was helpful to see how the US and PT scored on these various dimensions and explanation of each.
It's funny you say that. I have known people that complain about the way the French treat them ... how rude the Spainish were. Me, I have never felt that way. Just think some people (not related to nationality) know how to act.
This is a great post, I live in the U.K. since I was 10 and although I have found my favourite people & feel like this is my home too I still feel like I don’t fit in as well. When I am in Portugal I always feel happy and part of the community when I visit local cafes and other independents.
I just went to pop in Portugal & U.K on the website you mentioned and the U.K. results came up very similar to those of the US and it’s true!
I remember as a young teen I was mugged for my phone, the guy on the bicycle having attacked me and even though I was crying & shouting nobody helped, nobody stopped the guy! The most traumatising fact from that day wasn’t that my phone was stolen or even the fact that he punched me in the face... it was the fact that NOBODY helped, nobody gave a toss in a busy street full of people!
Only one guy that worked with me saw what the guy did but ignored it until I came closer as I was running after the bike, he realised it was me & then started running to catch him too but it was too late.
The point is he saw what happened but only tried to help after he recognised me, meaning if I was a stranger he wouldn’t have cared.
I was so gobsmacked that grown ass men were right next to me & completely ignored the situation and nobody got the guy or even helped me up from the floor.
It’s a very sad fact.
While in Portugal even though the vizinhas will all want to know everyone’s life they will also be the ones to knock on your door with a container of well meaning soup when you are ill or knock with some laranjas from the tree in their back yard...
I miss Portugal and I’d love to go back to settle... just don’t know how.
I'm so sorry you had that experience. As for returning, even after Brexit it isn't that difficult. You would either go through the same D7 process we did or apply for a visa that permits you to work. There is a long list of professions that Portugal is looking for. Of course, wages are not what you would be used to in the UK...but today, many are able to keep their UK jobs and work digitally. You enjoy the more generous UK salary and the more modest Portugal cost of living. Think about it and do some simple research. You should be where you are most happy. Beijinhos
Thanks for posting your story, Monica. I understand your desire to return to Portugal where there is more concern shown for others....I found myself thinking about black people in America who experience violence on the part of the police. I expect that far too many witnesses just look away, keep walking and never look back (not, fortunately, in the case of George Floyd)....I then thought of an experience I had when I was 19--a very long time ago. I was going to my mother's apartment in NYC quite late one night to spend the weekend with her. Unbeknownst to me someone had been following me; he squeezed onto the elevator at the very last second and stood behind me. Then he grabbed me by the throat and started to strangle me. I actually thought that he would kill me. The elevator reached my floor. The door opened and closed and the elevator stayed put. In that moment he released his grip; I gasped for breath. He immediately dropped to his knees and started to disrobe me and as he did I looked at the elevator buttons. My finger moved toward the red emergency button; fortunately before pushing it I thought better of it and pushed the door open button instead as I flashed on all of the times people would push that button and tenants in the building would just ignore it. As the door started to open, he looked up and I pulled away from him and slipped out of the elevator and into the hallway where there were probably 20 apartment doors. I started screaming. He exited the elevator in a panic and ran down the hall looking for an exit at one end of the long hallway. I kept screaming. He ran back past me, shook his fist at me, and ran to the other end of the hallway where he found an exit door and disappeared. I ran to my mother's door. At that moment she was opening the door in response to the screams and was horrified to see me standing before her. She was the only person who opened her door as I was being attacked....I was shocked by all of those closed doors, and I was also heartened by my mother's actions. She heard someone screaming in the hallway outside her door and her response was to open her door.
Hi Nancy,
Your last post on social connectivity had a link to this post of two years ago, and because my doctoral research years ago was in part based on Hofstede’s work, I found this an enjoyable read.
Excellent information. Makes sense why even though I’m a native U.S. citizen I have never felt I fit in.
Thank you for highlighting this fascinating website. It was helpful to see how the US and PT scored on these various dimensions and explanation of each.
Very, very interesting post
I think these are indicators of why we’re sometimes called Ugly Americans in other countries.
It's funny you say that. I have known people that complain about the way the French treat them ... how rude the Spainish were. Me, I have never felt that way. Just think some people (not related to nationality) know how to act.
The only time someone in France was rude to me was a grumpy waiter in Paris
This is a great post, I live in the U.K. since I was 10 and although I have found my favourite people & feel like this is my home too I still feel like I don’t fit in as well. When I am in Portugal I always feel happy and part of the community when I visit local cafes and other independents.
I just went to pop in Portugal & U.K on the website you mentioned and the U.K. results came up very similar to those of the US and it’s true!
I remember as a young teen I was mugged for my phone, the guy on the bicycle having attacked me and even though I was crying & shouting nobody helped, nobody stopped the guy! The most traumatising fact from that day wasn’t that my phone was stolen or even the fact that he punched me in the face... it was the fact that NOBODY helped, nobody gave a toss in a busy street full of people!
Only one guy that worked with me saw what the guy did but ignored it until I came closer as I was running after the bike, he realised it was me & then started running to catch him too but it was too late.
The point is he saw what happened but only tried to help after he recognised me, meaning if I was a stranger he wouldn’t have cared.
I was so gobsmacked that grown ass men were right next to me & completely ignored the situation and nobody got the guy or even helped me up from the floor.
It’s a very sad fact.
While in Portugal even though the vizinhas will all want to know everyone’s life they will also be the ones to knock on your door with a container of well meaning soup when you are ill or knock with some laranjas from the tree in their back yard...
I miss Portugal and I’d love to go back to settle... just don’t know how.
Thank you for your post.
I'm so sorry you had that experience. As for returning, even after Brexit it isn't that difficult. You would either go through the same D7 process we did or apply for a visa that permits you to work. There is a long list of professions that Portugal is looking for. Of course, wages are not what you would be used to in the UK...but today, many are able to keep their UK jobs and work digitally. You enjoy the more generous UK salary and the more modest Portugal cost of living. Think about it and do some simple research. You should be where you are most happy. Beijinhos
Thanks for posting your story, Monica. I understand your desire to return to Portugal where there is more concern shown for others....I found myself thinking about black people in America who experience violence on the part of the police. I expect that far too many witnesses just look away, keep walking and never look back (not, fortunately, in the case of George Floyd)....I then thought of an experience I had when I was 19--a very long time ago. I was going to my mother's apartment in NYC quite late one night to spend the weekend with her. Unbeknownst to me someone had been following me; he squeezed onto the elevator at the very last second and stood behind me. Then he grabbed me by the throat and started to strangle me. I actually thought that he would kill me. The elevator reached my floor. The door opened and closed and the elevator stayed put. In that moment he released his grip; I gasped for breath. He immediately dropped to his knees and started to disrobe me and as he did I looked at the elevator buttons. My finger moved toward the red emergency button; fortunately before pushing it I thought better of it and pushed the door open button instead as I flashed on all of the times people would push that button and tenants in the building would just ignore it. As the door started to open, he looked up and I pulled away from him and slipped out of the elevator and into the hallway where there were probably 20 apartment doors. I started screaming. He exited the elevator in a panic and ran down the hall looking for an exit at one end of the long hallway. I kept screaming. He ran back past me, shook his fist at me, and ran to the other end of the hallway where he found an exit door and disappeared. I ran to my mother's door. At that moment she was opening the door in response to the screams and was horrified to see me standing before her. She was the only person who opened her door as I was being attacked....I was shocked by all of those closed doors, and I was also heartened by my mother's actions. She heard someone screaming in the hallway outside her door and her response was to open her door.
Im sorry you went through this, I also had a similar situation Ina lift but with someone I thought was a friend. I was also able to get out.
It’s a terrible thing to feel scared like that. The world has some filthy people. I’m glad you got away too.
People are very good at ignoring others.
I know I would have opened the door 🚪 I’m glad you were safe in the end.
Thanks Monica! Here’s to opening doors to aid others!!
Very interesting... I will pursue info suggested.....