What are the Portuguese people like?
What should I know about the local culture?
Are there any rules I should follow to be respectful around the Portuguese?
Do people in Portugal speak English?
Portuguese people are skilled at speaking English. Especially in the bigger cities like Porto, Lisbon, Coimbra, Braga and in Algarve, which is a hotspot for people making holidays in Portugal. Portuguese people in general tend to be good with foreign languages, especially Spanish and English. The older generation speaks a lot of French, but lots of them also know at least basic English. Portuguese people also like speaking English to foreigners to make it easier for them and to be nice in general. It might happen that you try to practice you Portuguese but people start replying in English once they recognize that they are speaking to a foreigner. In this case, just tell them that you want to practice your Portuguese and they will be happy to support you with your learning process!
Here are some basic Portuguese phrases you might want to learn before coming to Portugal:
- Bom dia – boa tarde – boa noite – olá! = good morning – good day – good night – hello!
- Tudo bem? – como está? = is everything ok? – how are you? (a polite way of starting a conversation with someone)
- Pode me ajudar, por favor? = can you help me please?
- Ó, desculpe = excuse me
- Fala inglês? = do you speak English?
- Onde está o …? = where is …?
- Obrigado (if you’re male) – obrigada (if you’re female) = thank you
Is there a coffee and tea culture in Portugal?
What soft drinks are available?
What are the restrictions regarding alcohol consumption?
Am I expected to tip in Portugal?
What legal problems might I face in Portugal as a foreigner?
