Portuguese Culture

Portuguese culture can be vastly different from what you are used to in your own country and you may feel at a disadvantage if you don't speak Portuguese when you first arrive in Portugal.

The laws governing personal and business relationships, trade unions, driving, personal freedom, internal travel, buying and selling and other aspects of daily life quite challenging until you become accustomed to life in Portugal.

Portugal is still very much a male dominated country and although the feminist movement is alive and kicking as a female you may indignant when conversations are held with your husband or boyfriend instead rather than you.

The culture of Portugal is divided between the traditional rural cultural events and the international culture of Lisbon. Portugal has its own theatrical tradition (revista) and also has many small museums and galleries with the best known being Gulbenkian foundation in Lisbon. This foundation also sponsors an orchestra.

Most towns have a cinema which usually shows English language films with Portuguese subtitles. The regions have their own fairs and “festas”. This tradition is probably strongest in the north where Celtic drums and bagpipes play and the villagers, wearing traditional “traje” regional costume dance in the Celtic fashion. The style of singing in the north and also the “fado” of Coimbra and Lisbon is “an acquired taste”.

The Portuguese as a nation are usually reserved and understanding. The Portuguese are traditionally conservative and not embrace very easily the change and innovation. The Catholic Church has a strong influence on people’s lives. The family is the basis of Portuguese life. Life is simple specially in rural areas. The Portuguese entertain mostly on weekends.

Corporate Culture in Portugal

Portuguese do not take punctuality for business meetings, but they expect that you will be on time. Be prepared for your Portuguese counterparts to be 15 – 30 minutes late.

Although many younger Portuguese speak English, it is appreciated if you have correspondence translated into Portuguese, plan on hiring an interpreter for business meetings.

Food is family style. The guest of honour serves himself first. Fish is eaten with a special knife and fork. When finished eating place knife and fork (tines up) side by side on your plate. It is polite to leave some food on your plate on finished eating. When offered a drink by a colleague (coffee, soda, alcohol) accept it. In Portugal it is common to drink wine during the meals. Seafood is very popular in Portugal. One of the best dishes is “caldeirada”. Soups are especially good. Portugal is known for its excellent wines, the most known is “Porto” wine. Smoking after a meal is quite normal in restaurants or in private houses.

There are good facilities for water sports, football, golf, tennis, gyms, health clubs, etc. in the main towns, where also are plenty of opportunities for cultural and artistic activities.