Ive been painting and thinking about this!!!
Its outrageous that they wont let you register,I did,and I didnt speak Portuguese,99 percent of VdT are registered,and they dont either.
You have a RIGHT to be able to register,especially as you are retired.
She is a miserable old witch on the reception,I suggest you try again and be more assertive with her.Also there are residents there who have been there quite a while,and are very familiar with the Docs,have a word and see if they will help you.

see theres a devil in everyone

I can only speak from limited experience but..

I've just spent 2 weeks in Portugal. The first week was in the Algarve and the second on the Silver Coast.

Any attempts at speaking Portuguese were wasted in the Algarve (except when trying to get clothes washed in a Lavandria). In fact, I was actively encouraged to speak English. Any opening statements I made in Portuguese were always answered in English.

In the Silver Coast however, it was very different. I needed Portuguese if I wanted to get by easily and not look like a clumsy tourist. It was great for me and helped me out loads. I also found the people to be even more welcoming when I made the effort. When I'd tried speaking Portuguese in the Algarve I felt almost sneered at

I've got just about every language book going. EBay has profited endlessly from me One of the most user-friendly though was the Book and CD done by the BBC Languages people. It was the first book I bought and should cater for most situations. I can assure you that if it'd have been that difficult I'd have given up quite quickly. In fact this book helped give me the bug hence me going on to buy more. I can honestly recommend it for a beginner. It won't make you fluent but it's as good a start as any.

Here it is:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Talk-Portugu...684159&sr=8-16

Hi

We go to the lessons in Aljezur as well, Nuno is an excellent teacher and it is a shame that they are finishing next week. It is difficult to learn PT here as everyone does speak English. The best bet is to keep trying new words and phrases as much as possible.

We are going through the Linguaphone course and have an excellent grammar book as well.

I managed to register at the doctors using my very basic PT but I got there, haven't had to go and use them yet though!

Sarah

Thanks, Cleri. Will try to find someone local to come with me the next time I need to see a Doc (hope not for a very, very long time). Going to see a Podiatrist in Portimao (I hope) to cure an inflamed nerve in my foot. Reaching this point was far from easy with visits to Lagos CdS, Portimao Hospital, International Clinic in Albufeira (friends registered there) then queries on the telephone. Fingers crossed!

Be free to hit me over the head with something but has anyone tried befriending some Portuguese people? They will honestly be willing to sit and chat to you for hours...I should know my MIL never blimmin stops!!

I have to say there is quite a difference between accents even from Algarve to Alentejo, and most books/tapes are Lisboetas who speak 'queens' portuguese. Learn from those and you won't understand a word unless you are living near there . The Alentejo accent can be very difficult and I find it hard to understand my FIL all the time but then so do my husband's friends and they are Portuguese!

One thing to keep in mind is that people often drop the beginning or end of a word, so a word may not sound how you were expecting it to and also they merge words together. Eg. Ta Tud Bem? is actually Esta tudo bem? or Com se chama? is actually Como é que se chama?

I still come across loads or words that I know from hearing them spoken but when I see them in print ask my husband what they are and say 'oh is that how that is spelt?!' a favourite of mine is azulejos which means tiles, and is pronounced azz-oo-leyshh (well in the Algarve anyway) The word for sweets is another one, I know how to say it but wouldn't have a clue how it's spelt! Sounds like rapoosardoosh but I think it's spelt rebucados? that is probably wrong though!

It may feel really daunting but if there is someone you see on a regular basis that is Portuguese, invite them round for a drink - get a few people there more brits and other Portuguese if you feel self conscious. A portuguese person hardly ever turns down an invite, it is something highly regarded. Either that or go an sit at your local bus-stop!!

HTH

G

what you mean when learning the language we have to talk to them as well,maybe i wont bother