Portugal
What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Portugal?
We asked people in Portugal if they could share any humorous cultural blunders they commited. For new expats, keep in mind that these incidents are an inevitable part of expat life. Learning to laugh about them is the key!...
"Yes. I ordered a take away dinner from a cafe ahead of time and misunderstood the time to pick it up. When we arrived to pick up our meal, all the food was gone, we were too late! They called someone who was in charge and referred to me as the "foreign lady," estrangeira. I was surprised at myself that I was hurt and offended to be called such, even though I am! It shows how badly I want to fit in, but don't," explained one expat living in Porto, Portugal.
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AnchorLessAnchorLess provides services to help you settle into your new life in Portugal. you are guaranteed to have access to a convenient, quick and reliable service, with a team always ready to answer all of your questions about your new adventure.
Connect
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
"It is important to show respect for Portuguese culture by avoiding certain activities that could be considered rude or inappropriate. When visiting, it is best to dress conservatively, avoid discussing religion or politics in public, and maintain eye contact when engaging in conversation. Likewise, visitors should avoid pointing with their finger and try to learn some basic phrases in Portuguese, as a gesture of respect. Additionally, it is important to remember that physical contact between strangers, such as shaking hands and hugging, is not common in certain parts of Portugal," said another expat in Portugal.
Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to Portugal?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Portugal?
- Will I be able to find a job in Portugal?
- What is life like in Portugal?
- What do expats in Portugal appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in Portugal?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Portugal accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Portugal like?
- What are healthcare services like in Portugal?
- What are medical services in Portugal like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Portugal?
- What are emergency services like in Portugal?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in Portugal?
- How are local medical facilities in Portugal?
- As a foreigner living in Portugal, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?
What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Portugal?
If you live in Portugal, newcomers to Portugal would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
