I left Dusseldorf at the end of June, so about six weeks ago. I was going to settle in Germany, but when the medical insurance started asking me what my father’s medical insurance was (he died 37 years ago, and he had lived in South Africa since 1936 when he left as a result of Hitler sending the Gestapo after him). How the hell must I know. And if you think that was the only question, forget it.

Put everything together, plus the fact that I don’t have to pay taxes for 10 years in Portugal, I decided to opt for Portugal.

I think you’re confusing American individualism with being an independent thinker in Germany. Apples and oranges. InAmerican ‘rugged individualism,’ there is a hatred of anyone who is unable to help themselves. It is an unkind and harsh society. The people who voted for Trump, who are racist, religious fanatics, etc. are individualists. The word has very much a negative connotation.