Cultural Differences between Portugal and the United States

Moving to Portugal involves adapting to cultural nuances that are distinct from American culture.

We'll spend a lifetime learning how to live here well, but in the last two years, we've really gotten some good footholds into understanding how people react, adapt, and live here that's different from our native United States.

The biggest tips is remember to:

1. give extra time everywhere

2. read the room

3. be kind to everyone

4. practice patience

Communication Style

• European Portuguese Culture: Communication is generally indirect and formal, especially in professional or new social situations. Politeness and humility are valued, and people may avoid confrontation to maintain harmony. Personal relationships often grow slowly over time. We've heard that Portuguese will complain about things, but even if they do we rarely get the 'vibe' of outright anger anywhere.

  • Always start a conversation with a pleasantry, even if you don't know the person. A simple 'bom dia' works great. Even in email, wish them a good day before getting to anything at all.

  • At the end of an interaction, thank them whether it's a shopkeeper, restaurant, or in an email.

  • Pad your schedule to make time for these things because remember - everyone does it which means services anywhere might feel a bit slower when you first start here. I still get a little nervous about the time spent talking to a waiter, for example, then have to remind myself - if they need to break away they will.

• American Culture: Communication tends to be more direct and informal. Americans value openness and efficiency, even with strangers, and may address topics head-on to resolve issues quickly or rush through basic service interactions.

Social Interactions and Relationships

• European Portuguese Culture: Relationships are central to daily life. People prioritize spending time with family and close friends. Social interactions often include long, leisurely meals and heartfelt conversations. Building trust and rapport is essential, especially in business.

  • If you say you are going to show up for something in the community, do it.

  • Use public spaces to meet up with new friends - become part of the lovely cafe culture of taking a few hours to catch up.

  • Pad your schedule to run into people in your town, at the grocery, etc. even if you don't know their names, still say hello. We run into so many people we know on sight daily, we always smile and greet them.

  • Invite people over to your home if you are comfortable with it, or out for a simple meal. If you see someone you know at lunch and alone or open to it, join them.

  • Remember people's birthdays, children's name, parents - if you need to write it in your phone or on the wall as you learn your neighbors.

• American Culture: Relationships are often more fluid. Friendships and networking can be more transactional, especially in urban settings. Time is treated as a commodity, leading to faster-paced social interactions.

Work-Life Balance

• European Portuguese Culture: There is a strong emphasis on work-life balance. It is common to take long lunch breaks and have extended vacations. The pace of work may feel slower than in the U.S., reflecting the value placed on enjoying life outside of work.

  • During the summer, many people take huge chunks of time, also around any saint's days, family celebrations, and the winter holidays.

  • Answering emails or work related items quickly, or following up on them, isn't really appreciated. Don't expect email responses in 24 or even 48 hours.

  • When at service appointments from the grocery store to getting a cell phone, remember that each person is helped until their needs are done, or there is a significant reason to pause the process (like waiting a day for a computer to catch up). That means when it's your turn, you have someone's full attention.

  • Success is measured here by professional achievements, and people will comment on someone being 'successful' or 'doing well' but also deeply measured by family, friends, and social connections. Being able to take time to be whatever person they need to be is valued highly.

• American Culture: Work tends to dominate daily life for many, with shorter vacations and a focus on productivity. Success is often measured by professional achievements.

Time Perception

• European Portuguese Culture: Time is viewed more fluidly. Being slightly late for social engagements is generally acceptable, but punctuality is expected for business. Personal connections may take precedence over strict schedules.

  • A lot of things run about 15 minutes late, but we do find that American immigrants, because of our "time is money" background, tend to be expected to be on time whether or not everyone else is.

  • It's ok if the bus or train doesn't arrive until 3 minutes before it's supposed to take you to Porto. This is mostly a note for me because I have a hard time with it every. single. time. It'll still show up unless there is a strike. Just breathe.

• American Culture: Time is seen as money, with punctuality being highly valued in both personal and professional contexts. Schedules and deadlines are often rigid.

Cuisine and Dining Habits

• European Portuguese Culture: Meals are a time to connect. Lunch is often the largest meal of the day, and dinner is eaten later in the evening. Meals emphasize fresh, local ingredients, with a focus on seafood, olive oil, and simple, hearty dishes.

  • The Portuguese have been described by some of our local restaurant owners as 'particular', and this drive for good food is generally seen all over. The food is outstanding, as is the simple and easy hospitality.

  • Small appetizers 'couvert' like olives, bread, cheese are sometimes just put on the table. If you don't want it DO NOT TOUCH IT. Let them know to take it back. The culture here assumes you want a little snack. It is not free and you will be expected to pay for it. This throws some people off.

  • Restaurants close from 3pm to 7pm, sometimes even in larger cities, so if you need a snack you might need to find a tasca or bar, or hit up the grocery. The first dinner seating is usually at 7pm and the locals start to filter in for dinner around 8pm/8:30pm.

  • In most places when you get a table you have it as long as you want it, until they close.

  • If you don't like fish, wine, olive oil, or are a vegetarian or vegan, you might have a hard time. Your best bet is to stay in the bigger cities to find what'll work.

• American Culture: Meals are often quicker, with a focus on convenience. Dinner is typically the main meal, and processed or fast foods are more common. Eating out is frequent, and portions are larger.

Attitude Toward Rules and Formalities

• European Portuguese Culture: Rules are followed, but there is often a flexible, pragmatic approach to everyday life. Formalities like titles (e.g., Senhor/Senhora) are used in professional and initial social interactions.

  • Formalities goes into things like addressing wait staff ("Descupla Senhor/Senora"), and when you first meet someone.

  • There is an unwritten rule that pregnant women, people with babies/toddlers, mobility challenged individuals can go to the front of any line. This threw me off until I realized it enabled people that would normally struggle to get things done to do what they needed. People with children therefore get out in society rather than having to hide at home, and you don't see kids melting down as much. Older individuals who might have pains standing too long can still be free to get out and do. It's a lovely community-oriented rule, I absolutely love it.

  • Try to follow what you see others do to understand some of the rules that are unwritten or just simply understood. Remember, every culture has them, the ones we know from our native country may never have been explained to us, we just picked it up.

  • If you are curious about a rule/formality just ask politely and with curiosity. The Portuguese love to explain why things are what they are. They don't hide reasons or recipes. If you want to understand what's in a dish, ask. They will absolutely tell you. There are very few things guarded, really.

• American Culture: Americans tend to embrace innovation and adaptability but also value clear rules and transparency. Formality is less common, and first-name basis is quickly adopted.

Religion and Traditions

• European Portuguese Culture: Catholicism plays a significant role in Portuguese culture, influencing holidays, festivals, and traditions. Events like Easter and local saints' days are widely celebrated.

  • There are a lot of religious holidays here but it's not blatant, it's not forced on anyone. There are saints for nearly every town and they all have their own day that the whole town shuts down (or a week).

  • Keep an eye on holidays in your town so you know when things might be closed early, or for the day. Or completely packed with celebrations.

• American Culture: Religion varies significantly by region. While religious holidays like Christmas are celebrated broadly, secular traditions often dominate cultural life.

Housing and Urban Living

• European Portuguese Culture: Homes are smaller, often in older buildings, and energy efficiency is prioritized. Cities like Lisbon and Porto are walkable, with public transportation widely used.

  • Central heating isn't so much a thing here unless you are in a redone space.

  • A lot is made from stone here which is beautiful but doesn't breathe well so there can be mold and dampness issues.

• American Culture: Homes tend to be larger, and suburbs dominate. Car culture is more prevalent, with public transportation less accessible in many areas.

Environmental Awareness

• European Portuguese Culture: There is a strong cultural emphasis on sustainability, with recycling and reducing waste being common practices. Daily markets are preferred over supermarkets.

  • There are trash and recycle bins all over cities and towns, that anyone can use. It keeps the streets much cleaner, unless one overflows or it gets windy.

  • The daily markets exist in towns all over Portugal and are full of fresh vegetables, clothing, housewares - nearly everything you need can be at them depending on the size of your town.

• American Culture: While environmental awareness is growing, consumption habits tend to be higher, and single-use items are still common in many areas.

Adapting to these differences will involve patience and openness to new experiences. Take time to build relationships, embrace slower moments, and learn the language to ease your transition.

Let us/me know if you'd like tailored advice or resources to help you adjust! More than happy to talk through what you might be experiencing or curious about, and how to approach it.