The family, always..
In Portugal, the family remains at the heart of society. Children still often live close to their parents, to assist them in times of need. People get together at the slightest opportunity for big meals, family events or popular festivals in honor of patron saints. As in Latin countries, the locals, especially the elderly, like to get together in the late afternoon for a chat in the shade... In the villages, it's not uncommon to see them sitting on stone benches on their doorstep. The feeling of isolation is rare, and the elderly continue to be cared for at home by those closest to them.
Morals are changing..
The Portuguese opened their eyes wide when they observed the debate sparked in France in 2013 by the law on same-sex marriage, such was the relative indifference surrounding its legalization in Portugal (January 2010). Socialist Prime Minister Socrates launched the debate "in the name of freedom, justice, equality and humanism". Two months later, the law was passed. Neither the population, nor the religious authorities, nor even the right-wing opposition expressed any real disapproval. And yet, until 1982, in Portugal, homosexuality was a crime punishable by law... A few years later, in 2016, adoption was authorized for these same homosexual couples. At the same time, members of parliament authorized female homosexual couples and single women to have recourse to medically assisted procreation (MAP), previously reserved for heterosexual unions.
Soccer, a national passion
It's a religion in Portugal. Television screens are everywhere, even in the smallest bistro in the tiniest village. Hail to Cristiano Ronaldo, national hero and multiple Ballon d'Or winner! The national team is also the pride of the country, especially since it won the 2016 European Championship (1-0 in the final against... France). But the real match within the match, the historic rivalry here, is between two clubs... from Lisbon: Benfica and Sporting. From one end of the country to the other, you're bound to be wearing the green-striped jersey of the former or the red jersey of the latter. You'll have to choose sides!
A country... quiet!
According to the index drawn up by the Institute for Economic and Peace, Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world. The index takes into account, among other things: political instability, internal conflicts, and the level of violence and militarization. In all, 23 factors are measured to establish the ranking of the 163 participating countries.
In the name of the father..
In Portugal, there are strict regulations governing the naming of newborn children. These must be chosen from a list of 1,000 names proposed by the State. But that's not all: since the 20th century, the first name or names chosen must be followed by the mother's (second) surname, and then by the father's surname. For example, if the mother's name is Cristina Silva Santos and the father's name is Pedro Ferreira Rodrigues, then their daughter could be called Matilda Santos Rodrigues.
Greetings in Portugal
In Portugal, greetings are governed by simple rules. Here, men don't kiss men; it's just not done. On the other hand, a man (almost) always kisses a woman, just as women kiss each other. There's no difference between Évora, Lisbon or Porto: there are always two kisses, the first on the right cheek. To greet each other, we say "Bom dia" in the morning, "Boa tarde" in the afternoon (from noon onwards, or after lunch...). It's only after dinner that we say "Boa noite"... and that's even if no one has any intention of going to bed! If you're in doubt, stick to the most common greeting: the informal "olà", used in all sorts of ways... To say goodbye, you can simply say "Até logo" (see you later), "Até breve" (see you soon) or walk away with "Chau" (ciao) or "Adeus", which doesn't mean goodbye but Au revoir...! If you want to sound Portuguese, are comfortable with the language and... don't know the date of the reunion, you can say: "Adeus, se Deus quiser", which means: God willing..
Eating in Portugal
Eating out is a pleasure everywhere, but in Portugal it's a deeply rooted habit. If you're not invited to dinner at home, don't take it personally. It may simply be because dinner is a lot of work... for those who consider that a well-treated guest should not be able to move from his chair once the meal is over! Most of the time, the Portuguese like to get together outside, in a restaurant. Whatever the setting, the main purpose is to enjoy a meal. Even on weekdays, "tascas" often host large family or friendly tables, where people eat for hours on end. The food is often simple and delicious, with fresh produce. In the morning and late afternoon, the Portuguese often head for the pastelaria for a coffee accompanied by a sweet or savoury snack, a pastel or a brioche croissant, filled with ham or cheese..
10 habits to adopt in Portugal (or not)
Our little reflexes can irritate or make people smile, surprise or misunderstand. In Portugal, we French have to adapt to a few everyday rituals that are very different from what we are used to. For worse, but mostly for better..
Waiting in line for the bus. In France, when you hope to get on a bus or a subway train, you sometimes have to accept being stepped on without flinching. In Portugal, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find a queue forming spontaneously, as passengers wait their turn to take their seats. How pleasant!
Collect your ticket. Adopt this reflex quickly: when you enter a store or administration building, look out to see if there's a ticket dispenser - there usually is. Whether you're entering the post office or the bakery, but also the chemist's or the supermarket, you're bound to be asked for your ticket when it's your turn. Once again, a very comfortable habit..
Gambling. Many Portuguese love to gamble. In addition to online gambling and betting, there are specialized stores where you can fill in your lottery, Euromillions or sports betting forms. Casa da sorte ("houses of luck") can be found in many towns.
Parking anywhere... In Portugal, it's not uncommon to find free parking lots outside the major cities, so you don't have to search for a space or dig into your pockets to pay the parking meter. When there's no more space (paid or unpaid), it's time to make do! It's not uncommon to find a vehicle parked in such a way that yours can't maneuver.
Stick to the car in front! On the road, be careful! Portuguese drivers are used to driving fast, whatever the speed limits (depending on the region, checks are rare), and don't like to find you in their way... As a result, it's not uncommon to find a car stuck to your rear bumper. In fact, even in normal driving conditions, safety distance is an unknown concept here!
Stop at the crosswalk! A divine surprise for pedestrians: respect for the crossings reserved for them, which here borders on religion. No sooner do you pretend to cross the street than all the cars stop on either side! An excellent habit, and one you'll need to adopt very soon yourself when you're behind the wheel, at the risk of looking like the worst kind of cad, if not a murderer..
Twist your feet on sidewalks. It's said that in Lisbon, women who are used to wearing high heels regularly consult a doctor for tendonitis problems! Admittedly, the small cobblestones that adorn city streets are not always very comfortable. Irregular and slippery in the slightest rain, they're no help to walking. But this astonishing mosaic, often decorated with a caravel, a compass rose or an armillary sphere, is what makes Portuguese sidewalks so charming. And it's well worth getting your feet wet..
Smell the grill. In Portugal, town or country, winter or summer, noon or night, when it's time to eat, it's time to grill! On a kitchen grill, a sophisticated barbecue or a simple grid placed on the sidewalk or at the end of a counter, you're bound to be offered grilled meat or fish. A few aromatic herbs, a plate of pan-fried potatoes... What else?
Bite into unordered starters. No sooner are you seated at your table in a restaurant, sometimes even before the menu, than you're served small plates: bread, olives, butter, sardine pâté, sometimes a little goat's cheese and a few slices of chorizo... It's hard to resist, especially when you're hungry! Just be aware that these appetizers are not free. If you don't want them, send them back or leave them alone. Or treat yourself and don't order any other appetizers!
Order half a portion... This is a warning: if you're not careful, in Portugal you'll often find yourself with heaps of food that you'll never manage to finish, even if you're a big eater! So be careful, and don't hesitate - whenever possible - to order a "meia dose", bearing in mind that a whole dose, depending on the establishment, can be a dish for two... or for several! It's best to ask the waiter..
