tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911318742998056241.post5230177156989052177..comments2009-03-24T05:15:48.862-07:00Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02715386048079085576noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911318742998056241.post-68869471167660810792009-03-24T04:47:00.000-07:002009-03-24T04:47:00.000-07:00This is an interesting perspective. See, here in Salta, there are very few expats. Or at least, expat often means someone from somewhere else in Argentina. I don't think I've met a single person here who's native language is English.thefutureisredhttp://profile.typekey.com/thefutureisred/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911318742998056241.post-18532090505556486732009-03-22T17:28:00.000-07:002009-03-22T17:28:00.000-07:00I think this is one of the hardest parts of relocating. Here in Cancun, there is a big problem with trust, many Americans run here when in trouble with the law up north. I have been taken in by charm and smooth manners before, only to discover the snake underneath. I am very careful who I share information with now, especially with newcomers to town who offer a less than believable answer for why they are here. I don't become friends with someone just because they are a foreigner, it's far more about common interests and attitudes. <BR/><BR/>I do have to say that almost 100% of my "real life" friends here came about as the result of an online forum for ex-pats. An online personality is not necessarily a good reflection of the real person, but I can weed out the people that quite obviously have different attitudes and behaviours than I and have found some people with whom I share a great deal. I was here for almost two years without a computer and it was much more difficult making friends in that time.CancunCanuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12694054388941351498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911318742998056241.post-78674506688779321322009-03-22T12:17:00.000-07:002009-03-22T12:17:00.000-07:00I've done that... early in my expat experience I was anxious for anyone who 'knew' what home was like... and I've realised that befriending someone based on nationality is pointless. I began to resent them... now I look to people with common interests more than common citizenship. My closest friends are not from my home country; in fact, I have very, very few Canadian friends at all. I think of that particular urge as symptomatic of the early years... and I've gotten well past it now.<BR/><BR/>Great post!kidletsmumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812472199510321224noreply@blogger.com