7 things you shouldn't do when you're in Portugal but probably do
Every year, Portugal Portugal is taken over by hordes of wintering digital nomads. In spring and autumn, Lisbon and Porto are grateful destinations for city trips, and in summer, hordes of tourists flock en masse to the south coast of the country. Are the Portuguese really that happy about it? Probably not always. To make it a bit more enjoyable and easier for them and for yourself, here are seven things you should definitely avoid when visiting Portugal.
7 things not to do in Portugal
1. Saying Gracias
In terms of language, the Portuguese and Spaniards borrow from each other, which might make you think you can get away with Spanish in Portugal. But that is quite sensitive. I once dared to sí answer the question of whether I wanted a bag with my groceries, and the girl behind the cash register looked at me as if I had just called her mother a spoiled sardine. Look, they look alike: bom dia in Portuguese is buen día in Spanish. The same, but still different. Hello is another trap. Because what is the difference between olá and hola? Yes, the accent. In Portuguese, it is on the second syllable. In short, just google the basics before you go out and remember that nothing makes a Portuguese angrier than being addressed as a Spaniard. On behalf of the Portuguese: Gracias! Uh… Thank you.
2. Buying water
Yes, we get it. You are used to superior filtered Dutch tap water. Tasteless, clean, boring. In Portugal, they add some extra lime, iron, and chlorine to kill bacteria. And you can taste it. Is that bad? Of course not. If the Portuguese can handle it, then your delicate stomach can too. Spend your money on good wine instead of bottled water. The choice is huge and it doesn't cost a dime.
3. Paying everywhere with a card
In the Netherlands, we are used to being able to pay everywhere and for any amount. However, that is not always the case in Portugal. Yes, you can find an ATM on almost every street corner – by the way, avoid Euronet ATMs, those jerks charge criminally high extra fees – but in stores, there is often a minimum amount for card payments. Especially in the numerous small supermarkets and bakeries, you can only pay cash for amounts under five euros. So having cash on hand is not a luxury if you only want to pay for a pastel de nata .
4. Expecting Portuguese people to be on time
This one is simple: if you make an appointment with a Portuguese, add ten minutes and avoid frustrations. Really, you get used to it quickly.
5. Eating sardines out of season
The Portuguese take their fish specialties very seriously, and rightly so. Take for example the sardinhas assadas, grilled sardines, a Lisbon specialty that should actually only be eaten in June during the Santos Populares festivals. For this, you need to be in a neighborhood like Madragoa, Alfama, or Graça. During these festivals, entire streets are closed off for weeks to make room for countless stalls where the sardinhasare roasted and sold. Combine with boiled potatoes, salads, rice, or grilled vegetables. Of course, you can order sardines at restaurants all year round, but that is not the real deal. Respect the seasons!
6. Expecting service when you don't speak Portuguese
The tasca. More than a café, simpler and more informal than a restaurant. Perhaps best described as a bistro. Here, the Portuguese eat, alone or together, after a long day of work. Simple, traditional, good food. Sometimes it is cozy, but often the lighting is ugly, there is football on TV, and they barely tolerate you if you don't speak Portuguese. It doesn't sound fun, but it is. The food is ALWAYS good. Every day the menu is different, depending on what is available. Usually, the tasca’s have fixed menus on certain days of the week to give loyal customers at least a bit of guidance. Accept that the service is a bit curt and that it takes a while to get your beer; that is the charm. And throw in a few Portuguese words, that can help too.
7. Falling flat on your face
Those little white cobblestones on the hilly sidewalks of Lisbon? When it rains, they become slippery. Slipperier than the other stones. You wouldn't be the first to slip like a burglar from Home Alone. Wear shoes with good soles. Thank me later.
