Portugal Immigration focuses on living in Portugal tips:
Taboos
1. In Portugal, people observe the weather on New Year's Day to predict the year's fortune. They believe that a south wind indicates a prosperous year; a west wind signifies a good year for fishing and dairy; and an east wind suggests a fruitful harvest. They also interpret the weather of the first 12 days of the new year to forecast the weather for each month: the weather on January 1 determines January's climate; January 2's weather determines February's climate, and so on. During the summer, cities in Portugal celebrate "city festivals," with Lisbon celebrating around June 20. On festival nights, residents fill the streets. At midnight, fireworks and firecrackers fill the air.
2. Bullfighting is a popular entertainment activity among the Portuguese, with performances held around New Year's. Unlike Spanish bullfighting, local bullfighting is done on horseback and does not involve killing the bull; instead, the bull is merely injured, which is why it is referred to as civilized bullfighting.
3. The Portuguese have a custom of adding a title before a person's name to show politeness and respect. Men are generally addressed as "Senhor," women as "Senhora" or "Senhorita," and unmarried women as "Senhorita" or "Senhora." Although Portuguese is the national language, English and French are also spoken, with English being the most common language for business negotiations. When visiting small family-run businesses, it is advisable to confirm whether to bring a small gift, such as a bouquet of flowers. The Portuguese consider the number 13 and Fridays to be unlucky.
