Expat Files – 06.24.16

Descriptions for THE EXPAT FILES SHOW #572

#1- In Latin America you should not only be on the lookout for counterfeit dough, but be on the lookout for counterfeit concert tickets too! Today we have another true boots-on-the-ground story this time regarding fake “Judas Priest” tickets in Colombia. BTW: most all of the big first-world acts swing through big cities in Latin America these days even many moldy dinosaurs of rock like Arrowsmith, Metallica, America and Jethro Tull

#2–Latin America is the land of excessive kissing, hugging… not to mention diminished personal space. It can put you off, or be great fun. In either case, get used to it!

#3-How to get motivated Latins (who are forever on “manana time”) to value time and scheduling the way we gringos do (kinda).

#4-More solid proof of why Belize can be a nice place to visit but you wouldn’t want to live there… not permanently anyway(unless you are young, stupid and invincible)

#5- A personal walk-through and first hand report on how to authenticate your necessary FBI police or Sheriffs report at a local Latin Consulate / Embassy in the USA. Remember, you must have these reports certified and authenticated to obtain your permanent or temporary residency in any Latin country

#6-Consult with Johnny- Schedule a cell or Skype call: Set up a time to talk and sort out your own specific Latin American “PLAN- B”. Just write “CONSULT” in the subject line with a short list of questions/talking points to: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

#7- Visit me Johnny (and expat super blogger John Galt) at www.TheNewExpat.com where you get real “boots on the ground” info, experienced expat blogs and terrific one-of-kind reports.

SIGNUP FOR JOHNNY’S JULY 2016 – LATIN AMERICAN “INSIDER” SEMINAR
Held in and around Guatemala, Central America- “off the Gringo tourist trail”, Saturday July 9th thru Thursday July 14th. Click the link on top of the www.TheNewExpat.com main-page or email: theexpatfiles@gmail.com or, or click on the link below (or paste it in your browser)
http://thenewexpat.com/johnnys-july-2016-latin-american-insider-seminar/

Expat Files – 05.01.16

Descriptions for The ExPat Files #557:

#1 -LITTLE KNOWN DETAILS YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF REGARDING LATIN BUSINESS STARTUPS

#2- TODAY WE DISCUSS MISTAKES AND ERRORS NEW EXPATS OFTEN MAKE WHEN CONTRACTING BILINGUAL BUSINESS PARTNERS OR ASSISTANTS WHO’S JOB DESCRIPTION MIGHT LIKELY BE MARKETING, PROMOTION AND CULTIVATION OF LOCAL LATIN CLIENTS.

#3 – DON’T BE A CLUELESS GRINGO-FOLLOW THESE BUSINESS TIPS AND YOU’LL SAVE TIME, FRUSTRATION AND POSSIBLY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS

#4- WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU CATCH AN EMPLOYEE STEALING FROM YOU? WHAT DO LATIN EMPLOYERS DO IN THAT CASE?

#5-IF YOU ARE CONTRACTING EMPLOYEES FOR YOUR A LATIN BUSINESS, HERE’S A FRANK DISCUSSION OF WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR JOB APPLICATION FORMS(THOUGH IT’S LEGAL HERE YOU COULD NEVER GET AWAY WITH IT IN THE STATES!)

#6-REGARDING YOUR POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES: TO POLYGRAPH OR NOT TO POLYGRAPH? THAT IS THE QUESTION.

#7-SOME EXPATS REALLY LIKE ACAPULCO MEXICO: TODAY WE HAVE A RATHER ALARMING REPORT ON THE VIOLENCE CREEPING INTO FORMERLY SAFE TOURIST AREAS THERE

#8- BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MY “EXPAT FILES” YOU TUBE CHANNEL: become a subscriber (it’s free!)

#9- CONSULT WITH JOHNNY- SCHEDULE A CELL OR SKYPE CALL: Would you like to set up a time to talk and sort out your own specific Latin American plans? Just write “CONSULT” in the subject line with a short list of questions/talking points to: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

#10- VISIT ME JOHNNY(AND EXPAT SUPER BLOGGER JOHN GALT) at www.TheNewExpat.com where you get real “boots on the ground” info, experienced expat blogs and terrific one-of-kind reports.

ANNOUNCING JOHNNY’S JULY 2016 LATIN AMERICAN “INSIDER” SEMINAR
It will be held in and around Guatemala, Central America “off the Gringo tourist trail”, from Saturday July 9th thru Thursday July 14th. Click the link on top of the www.TheNewExpat.com main-page or email: theexpatfiles@gmail.com or, or click on the link below (or paste it in your browser)
http://thenewexpat.com/johnnys-july-2016-latin-american-insider-seminar/

Expat Files – 04.24.16

#1 –TIPS ON HOW TO FIND THE ABSOLUTE BEST REAL ESTATE DEALS IN LATIN AMERICA

#2 – HOW TO SPOT DESPERATE SELLERS AND HOW TO DO A REAL ESTATE DEAL WITHOUT GETTING HIT UP FOR GRINGO PRICES

#3 – A PROOF OF CONCEPT: HEAR AN EXPAT IN COLOMBIA TELL HOW HE BOUGHT AN UNFINISHED “OBRA EN GRIS” FROM A DESPERATE SELLER, FINISHING THE 2100 SQUARE FOOT HOUSE OF HIS DREAMS FOR $30 A SQ-FT (INCLUDING THE LAND WITH A $21/SQ-FT CONSTRUCTION COST)

#4-HERE’S WHY ITS ALMOST NEVER A GOOD IDEA TO SIGN A BUSINESS CONTRACT WITH A LATIN GOVERNMENT

#5-EVER WONDER HOW THE US GOVT CONTINUES TO PISS AWAY HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS A YEAR IN THE “FAILED” DRUG WAR?

#6-BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE “EXPAT FILES” YOU TUBE CHANNEL: become a subscriber (it’s free!)

#7- CONSULT WITH JOHNNY- SCHEDULE A CELL OR SKYPE CALL: Would you like to set up a time to talk and sort out your own specific Latin American plans? Just write “CONSULT” in the subject line with a short list of questions/talking points to: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

#8- VISIT ME JOHNNY(AND EXPAT SUPER BLOGGER JOHN GALT) at www.TheNewExpat.com where you get real “boots on the ground” info, experienced expat blogs and terrific one-of-kind reports.

Expat Files – 04.17.16

Description for THE EXPAT FILES SHOW

#1 –BANKING IN LATIN AMERICA-HOW SMART EXPATS SPIRIT THEIR ASSETS OUT OF THE USA, FAR FAR AWAY FROM THE LONG BONEY ARM OF UNCLE SAM:

#2 –MORE ON THE LATIN HOUSING BUBBLE, AND WHY IT STILL CAN BE A GOOD IDEA TO BUILD THE HOUSE OF YOUR DREAMS:

#3 – DEALING WITH LATIN ARCHITECTS AND THE PLANS FOR YOUR DREAM HOUSE:

#4-TIPS FOR EXPAT CHRISTIANS AND ATHEISTS LIVING IN LATIN AMERICA

#5-BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE “EXPAT FILES” YOU TUBE CHANNEL: become a subscriber (it’s free!)

#6- CONSULT WITH JOHNNY- SCHEDULE A CELL OR SKYPE CALL: Would you like to set up a time to talk and sort out your own specific Latin American plans? Just write “CONSULT” in the subject line with a short list of questions/talking points to: theexpatfiles@gmail.com

#7- VISIT ME JOHNNY(AND EXPAT SUPER BLOGGER JOHN GALT) at www.TheNewExpat.com to get real “boots on the ground” info, expat blogs and reports.

ANNOUNCING JOHNNY’S JULY 2016

LATIN AMERICAN “INSIDER” SEMINAR

It will be held in and around Guatemala, Central America “off the Gringo tourist trail”, from Saturday July 9th thru Thursday July 14th. For signup details and to get the “Early-bird” discount click the link on top of the www.TheNewExpat.com main-page or email: theexpatfiles@gmail.com or, or click on the link below (or paste it in your browser)

http://thenewexpat.com/johnnys-july-2016-latin-american-insider-seminar/

Expat Files – 03.25.16

-Business Banking in Latin America-and how to protect your assets once you get started:
However bad your Spanish is, once in Latin America you will soon start seeing all kinds of business opportunities. Once you’ve found your business “niche” (to me that means no GRINGO competition) you’ll need to have an internet presence and a bank account. That said, how do you select a solid offshore bank for your business accounts(s) that won’t be sucking up to the US govt. and the 1st world legal system?

-Chinese food lovers? You’ve got a big problem if you live in Latin America:

-What will happen to small businesses in Latin America after the US and the rest of the 1st world outlaw the use of CASH?

-The trouble with Pay Pal In Latin America:
Yes they have PP in Latin American, but it’s not such a great deal for businesses and retail providers. Sure, consumers like it but sellers hate it and here’s why…

-Text message overload (in Spanish): If you’ve got a cheap cellphone, get ready for some constant text message aggravation- in Spanish. What’s that all about?

– Naked Sim Cards: Millions of Latins use them… and so do smart Expat Gringos

-The proliferating Latin American cell phone extortion racket: Though this stuff rarely happens to gringos(except in Mexico) here’s a dirty little secret you’ve just got to hear…

– Latin TV, in a word, simply SUCKS!!!:
Yes, Latins love everything gringo and 1st world, even if it’s useless over-hyped Ron Popeil junk like Ginzu Knives, Ab Crunchers, Chia-pets and Buns of Steel. That said, slick Latin TV ad people have discovered the “Gringo Advantage”. As long as anything is promoted on TV as a genuine US product, it undoubtedly becomes a hit. So what’s the latest “As Seen on TV” mega-fad gimmick? …..well, it’s a thick Velcro corset that promises to suck in tummy flab and promote an instant hourglass shape. They’re so popular they can’t keep those stupid things in stock! What’s that say about the overweight and obesity problem in Latin America? (sound familiar?)

Expat Files – 03.18.16

-What if you get into a car accident or hit a pedestrian in Latin America? What to do? You call the car insurance company and lawyer and wait for help, right? Sure, that’s the right thing to do, however almost all lawyers, professionals, upscale Latins and even “Driver’s Ed” instructors are advising their friends, clients and students to do something much different all depending depending on the circumstances. Of course that special advice will always be “off the record”.

-When Gringo “good Samaritan” efforts backfire:

-Another reason Latins think Gringos are a bit crazy:

Did you know Latins have definite opinions about “OUR” choices in the Latin mating, dating and marriage game? Down here in Latin America they locals are especially surprised, even perplexed when they occasionally see some tall, strapping gringo or attractive gringa dating a person “THEY” feel culturally or economically superior to. For example: I’ve heard the occasional negative comments from slightly irritated Latins who see Gringos/Gingas dating short, dark indigenous people (instead of the traditional sexy Latin/Latina stereotypes). Yes, average Latins are often very classist and racist- no, not against us Gringos and Gringas but against their own countrymen and women.

Gringos, Latins and lotteries:

Yes there are dozens of types of lotteries in Latin America. Some are announced in the papers, some on TV and there’s also the traditional paper ticket types bought on the street. Still other lotteries come as annoying text messages on cell phones. Now, there’s one special lottery all Latins would love to win, but as for gringos hitting that jackpot… most of us would reject the prize in a heartbeat. You’ll never guess what lottery I’m referring to…

Expat Files – 05.22.15

– If you live in Latin America long enough and as your Spanish skills improve, soon enough you’ll start to understand there’s a very odd subservient classist relationship between Latin Americans and their so called “mother-country” Spain. Do remember that it was the Spanish conquistadors that came over to rape, pillage, kill pagan priests and extract gold and silver at any cost. And do remember that, most of today’s present Latin Americans have a high percentage of the local indigenous blood (unlike the long term residents in the USA and Canada) …. which is why the majority of Latins are short and brown- not white and tall like their Spanish conquerors. In short, real Spaniards fro Europe believe their Latin cousins to be lower-class rabble who will never pull themselves from the muck they have created.

Expat Files – 05.17.15

– On the other side of the globe, the Philippine islands have the closest thing to a Latin American culture. They were once conquered and colonized by Spain so they have many of the same traditions… with some important differences…

-When you come to Latin America, for all of you who enjoy walking and exploring, note that there are different categories of “safe”. For example there are, #1, safe places to walk through day and night, #2 safe places to walk in the daytime only (questionable at night), #3 places that are considered unsafe to walk in both day and night. Then there’s the question- what if you’re walking alone or with two or more in your group?

Expat Files – 05.15.15

-Would you like to take part in on one of my live “webinars?
Check out www.Expatwisdom.com and sign up for one of my free one hour live “webinars”. They will take place about every two weeks and free for a limited time so sign up now to listen in live and contribute your own thoughts and questions about Latin America.

-Some Latins, especially upscale Latins, don’t like the term “3rd world”. They much prefer the more PC term “developing nation”. In fact, to call someone a “trecer mundista” (a 3rd worlder) south of the border can be a harsh insult to some of the more sensitive educated Latins- though its often mouthed by Latin bosses to employees who have made errors on the job or have done something the chief bottle washer considers stupid. Use the 3rd world thing at your own risk…

Expat Files – 05.03.15

-Easter week in Latin America (called Semana Santa) can be a truly crazy and some say, nerve wracking experience for gringos and expats. Here’s why….

-Because the “gringo advantage” is alive and well especially off the tourist trail, eventually you will meet a Latin person with a gringoized name that seems so tacky or wacky that you think it must be some kind or nickname or inside joke. But don’t assume. Don’t assume anything! Just try not to laugh… that would be rude.