I am so glad you have found friends who reciprocate in Portugal! Having lived and worked in Germany for several years, I can report that things are not as easy in terms of making friends and socializing. Northern Europeans in general are more reserved and Germans are selective about friendship, which implies a deep and lasting bond. I have made German friends and maintained them long distance over decades, but it was not a quick process. It’s important to find a place and culture that matches your personality!
Hi Hannah! Thank you so much for your comment!! That's very helpful and a great thing to note about Germany and Germans. I have some close German friends (one in particular) that I made in the US but she's back in Germany now. The others I've met while abroad. But I can totally see that...
I love the differences between cultures! Some are more reserved, others more effusive, like the Italians. But of course each person is different too! My closest Portuguese friend here often tells me she's an anomaly and not a typical Portuguese, which I didn't understand at first (without reference) but can easily see now. But she still has all the good qualities!!
I love that you're in Germany, it's one of my favorite places!!!
Another brilliant post. It is so heartening to hear you have built a caring community in Portugal. I wonder if being thrown out of our comfort zones is the trick to this…or indeed if the people are just friendlier in your new locale! Thank you for sharing.
First of all, thank you so much for your kind words!! 🥰 And I definitely think that we have to find new ways of doing things when we’re thrown out of our comfort zones so I think you’re correct in that line of thinking. I have quite a few digital nomad friends and know others who have moved to different areas of the world, and most have found communities as well. Not everyone is super nice here, I’ve run into disgruntled people as well but on the whole, Portuguese women are especially kind here. As well as most expats. 😅
Finding community takes effort and it’s definitely requiring me to step outside of my comfort zone a bit. I’m at the beginning of finding connections through FB groups and a book club. Love that you’ve found so many connections here in Portugal. Thanks for sharing this.
I am so glad you have found friends who reciprocate in Portugal! Having lived and worked in Germany for several years, I can report that things are not as easy in terms of making friends and socializing. Northern Europeans in general are more reserved and Germans are selective about friendship, which implies a deep and lasting bond. I have made German friends and maintained them long distance over decades, but it was not a quick process. It’s important to find a place and culture that matches your personality!
Hi Hannah! Thank you so much for your comment!! That's very helpful and a great thing to note about Germany and Germans. I have some close German friends (one in particular) that I made in the US but she's back in Germany now. The others I've met while abroad. But I can totally see that...
I love the differences between cultures! Some are more reserved, others more effusive, like the Italians. But of course each person is different too! My closest Portuguese friend here often tells me she's an anomaly and not a typical Portuguese, which I didn't understand at first (without reference) but can easily see now. But she still has all the good qualities!!
I love that you're in Germany, it's one of my favorite places!!!
Another brilliant post. It is so heartening to hear you have built a caring community in Portugal. I wonder if being thrown out of our comfort zones is the trick to this…or indeed if the people are just friendlier in your new locale! Thank you for sharing.
First of all, thank you so much for your kind words!! 🥰 And I definitely think that we have to find new ways of doing things when we’re thrown out of our comfort zones so I think you’re correct in that line of thinking. I have quite a few digital nomad friends and know others who have moved to different areas of the world, and most have found communities as well. Not everyone is super nice here, I’ve run into disgruntled people as well but on the whole, Portuguese women are especially kind here. As well as most expats. 😅
Finding community takes effort and it’s definitely requiring me to step outside of my comfort zone a bit. I’m at the beginning of finding connections through FB groups and a book club. Love that you’ve found so many connections here in Portugal. Thanks for sharing this.
I believe you’ll absolutely find your community here!!! I’m always happy to talk, if it helps!! 🤗