Originally posted by spongebob You're very young. You don't know anybody in Brazil. I'm guessing you are not fluent in Portuguese.

She said earlier she speaks almost fluent Portuguese and has spent four months here.

Originally posted by spongebob Ok.. there's varying degrees of "fluent". I hate to use that word because it is abused. But do you honestly think 4 months is enough? Gringos are still wearing the rosy-brazil-is-the-best-country-in-the-world glasses during that time. Still, for a woman, especially a young girl, caution is advised. Call me sexist, but women typically have more to lose than men.

I pretty much said what I thought a couple of weeks ago in this thread. I just wanted to point out that the OP is not a non-Portuguese-speaking complete newcomer to the country. That does make a big difference, IMHO.

the only part "spongebob" is right about is me being young. I actually have several girlfriends that I talk to on a regular basis that are from the same place my boyfriend is and I know the family that I nannied for while I lived there. As far as questioning my portuguese...how do you think I keep in touch with all of these people on a multiple time a week basis without speaking close to fluent portuguese? I actually speak fluent spanish as well. I also am going on a tourist visa since a work visa is basically impossible to get. You advice was pretty much negative and not helpful.

On another note, thank you everyone else for the positive feed back. I'm not trying to jump into some marriage with him. He's the one that mentioned that but I'm not dumb enough to do that for a LONG time. All I'm talking about is being together when I go back, since I do think I really like him a lot. Obviously we need to spend much more time together before I would do anything too drastic. On the other hand, I would be shocked if I ended up finding out he was saying all this to me just to tell me what I want to hear or make me happy. Either way, boyfriend or not, I want to go back to Brasil so it will be fine...but hopefully it works out!!

Thank you "everyone else"?? Ha! I was just advising that you use some serious caution. I don't know you, but I regret even posting my advice-s. Good luck. I hope nothing bad happens to you 

Originally posted by lizza the only part "spongebob" is right about is me being young. I actually have several girlfriends that I talk to on a regular basis that are from the same place my boyfriend is and I know the family that I nannied for while I lived there. As far as questioning my portuguese...how do you think I keep in touch with all of these people on a multiple time a week basis without speaking close to fluent portuguese? I actually speak fluent spanish as well. I also am going on a tourist visa since a work visa is basically impossible to get. You advice was pretty much negative and not helpful. On another note, thank you everyone else for the positive feed back. I'm not trying to jump into some marriage with him. He's the one that mentioned that but I'm not dumb enough to do that for a LONG time. All I'm talking about is being together when I go back, since I do think I really like him a lot. Obviously we need to spend much more time together before I would do anything too drastic. On the other hand, I would be shocked if I ended up finding out he was saying all this to me just to tell me what I want to hear or make me happy. Either way, boyfriend or not, I want to go back to Brasil so it will be fine...but hopefully it works out!!

What you might not understand is that the young Brazilian men in general consider sex a sport as "futbol," and gringas are thought of as a great "passatempo."  So as a gringa dating a Carioca found out "ball massages" at the local casa de massagem are the norm while she is away. 

Edited by GreatBallsoFire - 07 December 2011 at 23:37