Four slip-ups foreigners often commit in Portugal
Living in a new country like Portugal isn't just about finding a residence or packing your bags; it's about adapting to the local customs, traditions, and language. Alexandra Victoria Bonte, a foreign resident in Portugal, shared some of the most common mistakes that newcomers often make. According to GB News, her list includes four misconceptions about Portugal that should be avoided.
First off, let's talk about language. Many English speakers believe that 'obrigado' serves as a universal form of gratitude. Well, think again! In Portuguese, 'obrigado' is used by men, while women use 'obrigada.' This may seem trivial, but it’s one of many specific rules in European Portuguese that foreigners should be aware of. Assuming that a few memorized expressions are enough can lead to misunderstandings. Furthermore, using 'gracias' as a token of gratitude is incorrect in Portuguese.
Next up, let's discuss Portuguese cuisine. Have you heard that the local fare revolves solely around cod? Not true! While cod is indeed a popular dish, Portuguese cuisine offers a diverse range of dishes from both the sea and the land, including fresh seafood, pork, regional sausages, and more. Reducing national cuisine to a single ingredient ignores the wealth of local recipes on offer.
Thirdly, Portugal is famous for its beaches, especially in the Algarve region. However, it's essential to remember that the Atlantic Ocean, though beautiful, is known for its chilly waters. Many expats have been surprised by this when taking a dip. Despite the warm sun and golden sand, the water temperature hardly reaches tropical destination levels.
Lastly, Portugal and Spain are often mistaken for being essentially the same. Although they share the Iberian Peninsula, the two nations have distinct languages, cultures, and histories. Treating the two cultures as equivalent can be seen as insensitive by the Portuguese.
Remember, understanding these cultural and linguistic nuances can help you navigate your new environment more effectively. Happy exploring, and Obrigado for reading!
-Enrichment Data: - Language Mistakes - 'Obrigado' and 'Obrigada': While 'obrigado' is used by men in Portuguese, women use 'obrigada.' Assuming that these terms can be used interchangeably can lead to misunderstandings.
- Cultural Differences
- Family Orientation: In Portugal, family is highly valued, which can lead to misunderstandings about property ownership and family dynamics compared to what expats might be used to.
- Food and Cuisine: Portuguese cuisine is diverse, with seafood, pork, regional sausages, and more, rather than just cod. Reducing national cuisine to a single ingredient ignores the richness of local recipes.
- Beaches: Portugal is known for its Atlantic coastline beaches, which can be chillier than expected. Despite the warm sun and golden sand, the water temperature rarely resembles tropical destinations.
- Cultural Comparison with Spain: Portugal and Spain have distinct languages, cultures, and histories. While specific comparisons were not provided in the article, understanding the differences can help expats navigate their new environment effectively.
- In terms of language, remember that 'obrigado' and 'obrigada' are used differently in Portuguese; 'obrigado' is for men, while women should use 'obrigada.'
- Diverse Portuguese cuisine extends beyond cod, featuring fresh seafood, pork, regional sausages, and more, instead of relying on one ingredient to define the entire national cuisine.
- Although the Algarve region in Portugal is famous for its beaches, the Atlantic Ocean waters can be much chillier than expected, offering a contrast to the warm sun and golden sand.
