I can't say a word about Portuguese, so definitely I didn't comment about it. My small remark was more behavioral than linguistic. Talking about the latter point I would still believe that it is subordinate to the former; i.e. humans may have more common features than it could be judged on pure lingusitic basis.
At the same time, Naomi participation in this thread could affect my thought on the issue. These Peterburgers are often considered a bit naive, no offense intended.

>I don't agree at all.
>Many words don't mean "something" in absolute. They depend of culture and context.
>Of course there are words that have the same meaning in all languages.
>But many others are different even in people/culture speaking the same language.
>I can give you lot of examples of same word with different meanings in Portuguese (Portugal),
>Portuguese (Brazil) and Portuguese (ex-colonies).
>You are taking in consideration your language, of course.
>
>>'Naive' implies discounting and then it is a matter where this discount was applied in the specific context. If it is a mental power then one may talk about offense, and if it is cultural then it might not be so.
>>
>>>I agree.
>>>It's a matter of culture, not a language matter.
>>>You can call someone from my country naive (in English) an he didn't get offended
>>>because is his culture naive has not a negative meaning.
>>>It doesn't matter the language, but the culture where that person get its roots.
>>>For sure if I call someone from other culture naive, even in Portuguese, he will
>>>be offended (assuming that he speaks Portuguese).
>>>
>>>
>>>>I tend to think it is in the person listening. To me, naive is not a negative term at all, but typically used for the innocent and 'gullible' :o) Usually for young adults who haven't had sufficient experience in the 'real world' to become pecimistic yet....