It's Called Culture

In this episode we cover Mark Manson's YouTube video titled "Understanding the Most Anxious Country in the World," which explores the complexities of anxiety that seem to permeate Portuguese society.

We discovered that the Portuguese equivalent to the "thirty, flirty, and thriving" mantra is "fifty, thrifty, and depriving..." This week's episode theme is thriftiness. And we also cover a recent incident where you won't believe what was used to heal an injured finger. Hint: It's even better than cobwebs.

Join us for an episode on the art of the Portuguese business transaction... from landlord agreements to paying contractors to booking flights.

We're back from hiatus! This episode includes the juiciest bits from a Portuguese auntie's Reddit AMA ("Ask Me Anything") forum.

We mix our own stories into the Stories of California Azorean Immigrants: An Anthology of Personal Life Sketches by Bob Santos.

We discuss the Kennedy family wealth as portrayed in The Nine of Us: Growing Up Kennedy by Jean Kennedy Smith (specifically Rose Kennedy's historic daily summer routine in Hyannis with 9 kids) and contrast it with our own immigrant family experiences. Also, the Portuguese did earn a footnote in this book, but we'll tell you why we wish they hadn't.

First we tell a family member's "rom-com" love story from the 1970's and then we get passionate about the bygone era of pay-to-attend wedding showers.

We discuss what we both have in common with Karen Read, how Kel's dad eats in "moderation", and what ancestral anxieties plagued Mel on a recent trip.

We discuss our experience at our local Day of Portugal celebration including the grande mentira (big lie) in its origin story.

We cover a lot in this episode, but one thing is clear no matter the topic: "We're pathetic compared to our ancestors!" Goshawks vs. Azorean Buzzards "Adrift" Movie Directions and Navigation Diversity of Settlers Mark Twain's Contrasting Views on Azores Azorean Dwellings and Lifestyle Grounding and Earthing Reference: ⁠Azoreans to California: A History of Migration and...

Humorous and insightful tidbits on Azorean character from Robert Santos' Azoreans to California: A History of Migration and Settlement .

A potpourri of commentary ranging from actual potpourri on the back of Vavo's toilet to the hortelã (mint) growing out of Kel's foundation.

A humorous tale of late-night fish peddling in an Azorean village.

We review the controversial movie "Poor Things" starring Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo, partially set in Lisbon, Portugal.

First we discuss encounters with Portuguese travelers "in the wild"..... and then we talk about the house-of-cards that is immigrant parents making travel plans.

We cover several infamous bank robberies in Portugal & Other Portugal (Massachusetts) including Kelly's very own ride-along during a robbery-in-progress.

First, we discuss how the scholastic book fair has become less about reading and more about peddling junk to kids. Then, we discover the true untouchable demographic from an advertising and marketing standpoint -- immigrant grandparents.

Kel's impersonations of her mother shine in this classic tale of immigrant parents vs. emergency services.

Another wild and crazy round of superstitions... It's all fun and games until you realize it shaped your whole personality ;-) References: Stories Grandma Never Told: Portuguese Women in California by Sue Fagalde Lick 10+ Weird Superstitions in Portugal by Portuguese With Carla

We give you a rundown of recent gems we've found on Reddit, including but not limited to: Portuguese "Family Guy" characters Santos & Pasqual; what 55 MPH really stands for on speed limit signs; and a complete (and way too accurate) Portuguese personality assessment.

We keep you "posted" on our composting efforts and rack our brains trying to figure out how our family members have thriving gardens despite their total disregard for the very specific instructions on the back of the seed packets.

We briefly discuss the cultural aspects of Bachelor Joey's Hometown Dates and then count down the *very Portuguese infused* Top 10 dates we'd take a Bachelor suitor on in our own Hometown of Fall River, MA. Which of these dates would you prefer to go on?

We reflect on the impact of '70s TV show The Electric Company on non-English speakers, sharing anecdotes of family members using an early-career Morgan Freeman to learn English. This episode also features Portuguese restaurant etiquette for last minute reservations, hostesses (or lack thereof), ordering, and what to do when the lights go out.

This week we dive into east and west coast Portuguese social clubs.

The one where we watched a documentary and swore off meat. We discuss vegan, vegetarian, whole food plant based, and mediterranean diets. And we share our guiding principle: "WWTBD?" What Would Tom Brady Do?