Introduction

Welcome to the Gringoes.com email newsletter!
This newsletter pulls together some of the articles, photos, polls and other information that has been published on the Gringoes.com web site over the last week or so. Don't forget to visit the Gringoes.com site to checkout our article archive, useful information pages, classified adverts, services, forum and other pages. So read on and we hope you enjoy the newsletter. As always if you have any comments, such as what you'd like to see more or less of on the site or newsletter, don't hesitate to contact us at gringoes@gringoes.com.
Please note that although we are based in São Paulo, the site and newsletter are for the whole of Brazil. We are particularly interested in hearing from people outside of São Paulo city, specifically Rio de Janeiro and the Northeast, so if you would like to write about your experiences or any topic related to Brazil see our request for "Article Writers" below.
If you're interested to know the origin behind the site name, then read the "Dear Gringo" article here by Dr. G.


Article Writers - Gringoes.com Wants You!

Are you a "Gringo" or Brazilian interested in writing for our site? Have you...

Photo of the Week

The photo of the week is titled The Great Crab Hunters taken by Brent Gregory along the highway at Marapanim, Pará. Click here to see the photo.
Thanks to all those who've sent in photos based on our request, but we can always do with more. So if you have a funny or unusual photo depicting life in Brazil please send it to gringoes@gringoes.com with ‘Photo of the Week’ in the subject line. Ideally we are after photos that are of something a little different, not traditional shots of beaches and sunsets. Please send relatively high resolution images (0.5 Megapixel / 640 x 480 or bigger), and let us know where you took the photo and if you have a title for it.


Brazil Through Foreign Eyes

March 3, 2008
Meet Jack Hurley from the USA who has both visited Brazil and spent some time as an exchange student. Read the following interview in which he tells us about some of his most memorable experiences from Brazil and gives some useful advice to newcomers.
1. Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from, what do you do etc.?
I was born in Michigan but have lived in Alexandria, Virginia most of my life. I work for a consulting company and provide federal financial services in Washington, DC.
2. When did you arrive in Brazil and what brought you here?
This could be a long one... My first trip was in May 1999 when I visited my brother who was serving as an exchange student in a small town in Minas Gerais called Manhuaçu. Although a short trip (two weeks), I knew I wanted to return again, which I did, in the summer of 2001 as an exchange student in the same town as my brother.
My dad started the tradition as he was the first exchange student in the same town (Manhuaçu) over 36 years ago.
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Ask a Brazilian: Eye Contact

February 29, 2008
This is our regular column called "Ask a Brazilian", the idea being that you can quite literally ask a question of a Brazilian - for those issues you aren‘t sure about but perhaps dare not ask someone else. It is meant as a bit of fun and answers should not be construed as expert opinion or the definitive reply on the matter. For that reason we ask you to please send comments and experiences in order to add to our replies.
I have noticed that cashiers, be it at the supermarket or a parking attendant or a bakery cashier often studiously avoid eye contact. Without a word they will stuff the change into my hand never speaking to me or looking directly at me.
However, if I say something like "good afternoon" in Portuguese of course, they often reply with a smile and a pleasantry. But, they almost never relinquish the words "thank you," obrigada.
I've also noticed that many very young children, under three years old, do not seem to know or have ever spoken the word "obrigado."
So what's going on?
Steve
…click here to read the rest of the article>>


Discussion Forum

If you've not had a chance yet then pop over to our web forum, register, and start joining in the discussion about Brazil. There are many forum areas such as Living in Brazil, Teaching English, Visas and Documentation, and even a place to Vent Your Frustrations! If you've got some burning question about Brazil, or just want to discuss a particular topic, then you're bound to get an answer there.
There's also a forum which allows you to comment and give us feedback on Gringoes.com, either with your views about past articles, areas of the site, or to make suggestions for future articles and content.
Note that foul language, abusive posts and certain types of advertising in the forum will not be tolerated. Make sure to check the Read This First area first before posting. The forum is intended to be a constructive and lighthearted place for discussion about Brazil.


Forex

The US Dollar has risen slightly over the week, from R$1.67 to R$1.69. The Euro has also risen, from R$2.52 to R$2.58. The British Pound continues the trend, rising from R$3.30 to R$3.36.