There has been a pair of Brazilians at the gym for some time now. Being that foreigners often tend to ignore each other unless somehow forced to interact, we haven't exchanged any more acknowledgment than a brief nod.
Being that The Dude has started to latch onto them, we now have a common enemy. It gives us excuse to converse.
I spoke to one of them last night, ostensibly in order to invite them to join the soccer team I'm trying to get together. Much to my surprise and dismay, we were barely able to communicate beyond "How long have you been here?"
You'd think that for two people who have been here using the same language for three years, we'd be able to get a little beyond that. Sadly we did not, and the conversation ended rather awkwardly.
To top it off, they don't play soccer! I thought all Brazilians play it in the womb!