Portugal Immigration Life Customs and Etiquette: Clothing Etiquette. In formal social settings, the Portuguese are very attentive to neatness in dress. Men wear dark suits with ties or bow ties and carry themselves well. Women often wear elegant suits or dresses. In daily life, the Portuguese have distinct professional and gender-based characteristics in their attire. Young male employees prefer loose-fitting suits. Male university students often wear sweatshirts and jeans, while female teachers often wear suits.
Demeanor Etiquette: The Portuguese are quite particular about etiquette. When conversing with others, they sit with good posture, especially women, who are careful to keep their legs together when seated. They do not like to stare at others for long periods; if someone does so, they view it as a sign of poor manners.
Greeting Etiquette: When meeting, Portuguese men are accustomed to warmly embracing and patting each other on the shoulder. Women, when meeting acquaintances, greet each other by kissing on the cheek. When meeting foreign friends, they sometimes use a handshake. The Portuguese are warm and hospitable; if guests visit, they always go to the door to welcome them early, and when guests leave, they always personally see them to the door.
Dining Etiquette: The Portuguese diet is primarily based on flour products; they enjoy bread and sometimes rice. They love beef, pork, and seafood, and frequently eat potatoes and carrots. There is a particular etiquette regarding drinking. The locally produced wine has a low alcohol content, so drinking a little will not lead to intoxication.
Festival and Funeral Etiquette: Bullfighting is a form of entertainment that the Portuguese are very fond of, with performances held around New Year's Day each year. Unlike Spanish bullfighting, local bullfighting involves fighting on horseback and does not kill the bull, but only wounds it; therefore, people call this a civilized form of bullfighting. Portugal celebrates City Day in late June each year. City Day is mainly to commemorate those who have done good deeds for the people. On this day, salutes are fired, ceremonies are held, and people sing and dance in the squares.
Business Etiquette: The best time to conduct business in Portugal is from October to June of the following year. Additionally, offices in Portugal are closed from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM; you will not be able to reach anyone during this time. When negotiating business, pay attention to your attire; if they are wearing jackets during negotiations, do not remove yours even if it is hot. Many Portuguese businesspeople speak French, English, and Spanish. Be patient when negotiating business with the Portuguese.
Tourism Etiquette: Portugal has a central railway line of over 700 kilometers that runs from north to south, connecting major cities and famous scenic spots along the route, providing convenient conditions for sightseeing. Local shop assistants are known for their high-quality service; they always serve customers with a smile. Except for food, other goods can be returned or exchanged within a specified period if the customer is not satisfied after purchase.
