I’m not sure I was finished adjusting when I left France after forty years. I could talk to anyone about anything without anyone pegging me for an American, but it still took effort, even after all those years. Here in Mexico I don’t even try. I enjoy not having to try, in fact. Even though I’m determined to learn the language, I can’t help but notice that a little bit of Spanish goes a long way. It’s a lot easier to establish a sense of sympathy between people than it was in France.

I think you have to find a culture that suits your temperament.