I recently got a private message from a long term resident of Portugal who shared his frustration with posters in this forum who just didn't seem to want to hear about the realities of moving to another country.
I quote, "I concur with all you write. But sadly I think it's falling on deaf ears. Due to International Living and other articles declaring Portugal a great place to retire, along with the false sense that "friendships" on internet forums provide, there has been, and will continue to be a huge number of retirees moving here literally blind - sight unseen and without a clue. I feel like I'm witnessing a train wreck. .........................
I've maintained a presence on expat forums because I like to help, but I'm thinking of quitting, it's just too frustrating!"
I'm not going to name this poster obviously but it might be worth thinking about what s/he wrote if you are in the early stages of making a move.
When a long term resident who obviously KNOWS what s/he is talking about and wants to help says s/he is thinking of quitting, what does it say about those s/he is trying to help?
I haven't been posting in this particular forum for a long period of time but I do see a lot of comments by people indicating that if they read anything they don't LIKE, they label it as 'negative' and dismiss it as attempting to interfere in their 'plans'.
Rather than listening to those who know, instead, they want to listen to and exchange information with people who know no more than they do themselves.
What's wrong with this picture?
I quote, "I concur with all you write. But sadly I think it's falling on deaf ears. Due to International Living and other articles declaring Portugal a great place to retire, along with the false sense that "friendships" on internet forums provide, there has been, and will continue to be a huge number of retirees moving here literally blind - sight unseen and without a clue. I feel like I'm witnessing a train wreck. .........................
I've maintained a presence on expat forums because I like to help, but I'm thinking of quitting, it's just too frustrating!"
I'm not going to name this poster obviously but it might be worth thinking about what s/he wrote if you are in the early stages of making a move.
When a long term resident who obviously KNOWS what s/he is talking about and wants to help says s/he is thinking of quitting, what does it say about those s/he is trying to help?
I haven't been posting in this particular forum for a long period of time but I do see a lot of comments by people indicating that if they read anything they don't LIKE, they label it as 'negative' and dismiss it as attempting to interfere in their 'plans'.
Rather than listening to those who know, instead, they want to listen to and exchange information with people who know no more than they do themselves.
What's wrong with this picture?
