Alright, here's the thing, I have lots of newbie doubts and I'd like to know your opinion, or advices.

1º Question: I'm from Brazil, and I know I the stuff I get on book or this site is really works, but I wanted to know how much the cultural differences can affect my game. And if possible, what aspects I have to modify on the game?

Currently I have this scenario:
I'm in the last year of high-school, and there is this girl, an attractive girl. Our relationship can be defined as "friends", not brother-sister kind of friendship, but we have a sort of intimacy. We hug, she sits on my lap, stuff like that. I want to try getting out of the friend zone and get something more. But it's nothing like I'm in love with her, and attracted to her. I wanted to use this as an experience to improve my gaming skills, like attraction and qualification.
PS.: I almost forgot, I'm not that good looking, and she's been with guy that are much more good looking than I am.
Now the Questions:
As we already have intimacy on touching, how do I transform the "friend Hugs" in something would attract her?
Do you thing it would be inappropriate if I try doing this? I mean using her to improve my skills?

Now another thing about the same girl.
She has 3 good friends (they have the brother-sister stuff),and here's their description:
First Guy: This one actually has feeling for her, but it's a total AFC and she doesn't have a clue he is interested. I don't actually care to much about him, but he see's me as an direct rival for her. He has the same level of physical contact with her as much as I do. And everytime I touch her ( a hug for example) he look at me like I was stealing her. This makes him kinda dislike me. He isn't that good looking, he is in the same level I am
Second Guy: This one I don't understand, he isn't interested in the girl, I couldn't care less about him, but tries to compete with me about everything! I honestly don't know why. This thing makes him dislike me as well.
Third Guy, this one is neutral.

Now the questions:
The first to guys are being obstacles because both of them try to undermine me.
I wanted to know how can I get rid of these obstacles. This question doesn't refer only as this scenario, I want to know how I get rid of Obstacles in general.

Another thing, we often use the instant messaging on the computer to talk. Do you have any advice on how to use these "non face-to-face" talks in my favor.

Well, thanks for reading all my questions, I hope you can help me.
Thanks in advance.

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Newbie, but with the will to learn.

Ok man, I can't really give you advice on your specific situation, but I can comment on your initial question. I think that cultural differences have a huge effect on the rules of the game. Brazil is much faster than, for example, USA or Central Europe. In general I feel that many Brazilian girls want to be claimed. If, for example, you're in a club, many Brazilian chicks will think you are not interested if you don't try to kiss them relatively quickly. That said, I also think that a lot of basic rules and thinking are the same down here as in the US.

It would be interesting, however, to hear some other guy's opinion on the effects of cultural differences on game. Is there any PUA out there who has done some basic research on Brazilian chicks .

Regards,
Johnny Danger

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"Two fours don't make an eight, man!"