Gringo culture makes its mark in Brazil

One contributor to gringoes.com who writes with passion about both the positive and negative aspects of Brazil is John Fitzpatrick, who also has his own website entitled Brazil Political Comment.

Working as a consultant, journalist and translator, he uses his website to, as he puts it, "encourage debate and discussion on this dynamic country which, unfortunately, is often seen abroad only through clichéd images of the Carnival and football".

John, a Scot who has lived in Sao Paulo ever since he moved there with his Brazilian wife Monica in 1995, has some words of warning for anyone considering moving to Brazil. "It's absolutely essential that you know how to speak Portuguese if you come here. Don't think you can get by speaking a bit of Spanish," he says.

"You have to speak Portuguese and you have to be prepared to work really, really hard. I know many people who have got two or three jobs. I know very few people who have stable jobs and who have any kind of job security."