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Ben Emlyn-Jones's avatar

This may be a confusion in the subtleties of culture moment. Women with lots of cats as a social stereotype might mean different things in different countries. I've just started working for a lady with three cats. (I'm a self-employed gardener.) I guessed she is single, which is good news as she's quite attractive. In Portugal is could be cat ladies are a different phenomenon altogether. Troy, do you think however long you live there, knowing the people, marrying a native woman, having native friends, learning their language; there will be some aspects of their culture that you will never understand?

Troy Southgate's avatar

Well, it does often feel as though everyone has a secret that they're not sharing with me! I've never stopped feeling that I'm a foreigner, but then remind myself that I was very much an outsider in England as well. The problem is, I'm far more conspicuous here! The Portuguese are kind and lovely people, though, which makes life much easier.