Portugal Culture Shock for an American (After 2 Years) 

Skip the waitlist and invest in blue-chip art for the very first time by signing up for Masterworks: www.masterworks.art/daveinportugal Purchase shares in great masterpieces from artists like Pablo Picasso, Banksy, Andy Warhol, and more. See important Masterworks disclosures: www.masterworks.com/cd

People do tip in Portugal, and there's nothing against doing it. The difference is that here you must EARN or DESERVE your tip, by doing your job especially well, or as you say, above and beyond. But Portuguese people do tip - sometimes generously - if they are happy with the service they just had. So, don't think you are changing the culture by tipping. If you are happy with your service, tip. If you are not, don't. That's the difference.

I am Portuguese, I'm 34 and I still get culture shocks within my own country. 😂❤

About the tipping culture, the problem of tourists doing it here is not that they're "changing the culture", it's that by doing so you're telling the restaurant manager that they can pay the waiters less because you (the customer) are paying more, and that's a problem. It's not up to the good-hearted customers to pay a worker's salary; it's up to their boss.

What you said in the section about professionalism in Portugal is completely true, but especially with construction work companies. You have to almost stalk them constantly to get the job done. My brother is renovating his house and the people either say they're showing up but they don't, or they do show up but only work for 3 hours out of the whole day. It drives people insane, it's so infuriating. And when they do show up, they even give suggestions on how you can improve this and that and we're like "Yeah, I would pay you for it, but are you actually gonna show up to do it?" 💀

Hey, I'm Portuguese, and my whole family and I always tip for anything that saves the food, if the service is good.

As a supermarket cashier in Portugal, the elderly people talking about the weather and the prices it so real. If I don't have anyone behind them I'm more than happy to have a conversation but if there's a big line I get so frustrated because I can't simply tell them to go away I have to nod and smile and ignore the glares that the customers in line are giving me! As if it's my fault, I'm actually really quick with scanning groceries 😭😭

Mexican here. My wife is from Porto and wants to move back. Currently waiting on my citizenship. I Lived in San Diego and know Baja style Mexican food well. Portugal had TONS of seafood and I look forward to seeing what I can source when I move there and maybe open a small Ensenada style taqueria… All depends on if I can source what I need to get the flavors and quality I require to do it.

Portugal (Lisbon, Sesimbra) beautiful. My experience visiting Portugal has been humbling and eye-opening. In my opinion, if you’re considering moving to Portugal, learn the language (at least the basics) and customs. Trying to conduct business or get services done in a timely manner here is challenging; patience is required. My advice to anyone contemplating moving to Portugal is to visit and spend at least a month in the country before making a final decision

Portuguese citizen here. I have to agree with all that you said, especially the lack of professionalism from many companies. It drives me crazy too!!!

We lived in southern Germany when I was young, and my older teenaged sisters could walk home from a friend's house at 10:30pm ore even midnight in perfect safety. I really miss that!

I’m half Portuguese, half Kiwi and 32! I’ve lived in New Zealand most of my life and want to live in Portugal to learn the language and my culture ❤! But I’m a bit nervous and don’t know where to start! Thanks for the videos, they are giving me a bit of confidence to give it a go!😊

You think you know what 'relaxed' means. Then you move to Portugal and realize you’ve been in overdrive your whole life!! 😅

What’s the best thing about Portugal 🇵🇹? *almost zero crime* (compared to the rest of the world !! ) Thank the hard working and efficient GNR

Some of the facts are true, some less so, but I had a few laughs while agreeing... keep on entertaining us, Portuguese, please

Regarding the toilet bowl, maybe it designed to be use in the other direction? You need to seat and face toward the water tank 😂

I'm Portuguese, my girlfriend is soon to move here and she is from Michigan, your channel has been a very nice window for her into things I don't realize here. As the professionals you mentioned, 100%, it is what it is unfortunately. My best advice is to find someone who had some service similar to yours and knows "a guy", befriend that guy, keep that guy, don't let that guy go ever, tip that guy.

Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world. Any way is not just about safety...Portugal is beautiful beyond words.

The "clean bum bum" comment made me laugh. Hey Dave, I read the article about you in the business magazine. Nice piece. Keep up the great videos!

I'm portuguese and I find this hilarious

A lot of the stuff you mentioned, like high gas prices, are common throughout Europe

Great video ! The toilets and the driving fast and cutting corners on rural roads really resonated . I thought maybe it was only me that had noticed 🤨

Good onya Dave.Another home run! Thank you.

Great show Dave. Always look forward to your commentary

Thanks again Dave, very informative as always. ❤

Great video! Thanks for keeping it family friendly. Appreciate the tips & details after two years of your experiences.

Well done, as usual! And love your recent makeover! Also, this set with the plants and tiles, plus nice lighting - lovely!

Dude that was hilarious. I almost snarfed my soup when u did the bit about the toilet.

Your complaint about professionalism is relevant to Tennessee, too! ALL of my friends have that issue, from lawn mowers to plumbers to roofers!

Traveling to Lisbon and Porto this month. Been watching your videos for several months. Thanks for all the info. Nice write up in Business Insider. We’re from Reno too.

My wife and I live part time in Porto.... loved your thoughts !! spot on .... thanks

About tips, no one usually expects/ demands tips. Usually, we might give just to round some bill, depending on the occasion and if the service is really good. If I’m in an upbeat downtown restaurant and the service was perfect, the bill is 38.50 and I’m paying cash, I give 40, and say: “keep the change”. Otherwise, if the service is not good or just average, then no tip whatsoever. We do have a tipping culture, as a way to recognise a premium service. But not as a “standard to all” tipping mechanism. The employees accept the tip and you gain respect from giving, especially if you are a regular customer. Next time, he will attend you even better. This is what tips in Portugal serve for.

Very informative and efficient episode, great job Dave 👍👍

Great video as always.

Many of these points show how small levels os corruption are just ingrained in the culture in Portugal (as in Brazil I would add). I bet it's quite different from the US in that sense

Thank you, Dave 😂 I laugh so much because of this video. It is so true and as a portuguese person I find it funny that you got the message right. I love the way you describe things here, especially the slow pace in life 😂 you can be in an hurry and some old person is talking about their life, their family, the weather, the prices, all of it. Poor people, they don't have anyone to talk to and most of the time is a nice way to get in touch with each other. That is one of the reasons people in Portugal know each other 😉 at first it can sound a bit nosy since they are talking about their life but then you get used to it and find some friends because of it! As for the slow services you have been experiencing, I am so sorry. Unfortunately, Portuguese people don't have the same clock as British people have 😅 you will find it to be a bit upsetting as much as I do. People do not get the concept of "on time" in some places in Portugal but be assured there are some places that are starting to understand it. As for Portugal bring pricy in every kind of scenario you might think of, due to the low wages, some people can't afford a lot of things that foreigners can. I remember in university I had a Brazilian colleague that had a new apple phone and she was telling me how expensive it is in Portugal, however that does not actually bother us because we find reason price objects to be better since they live longer. If you know that I mean. As for driving, don't get me start on that... Some people don't know the concept of speed limit, parking or even respect manners I suppose. Don't be upset it is not worth your time 😅 even if you try, some people won't listen unfortunately. O the other hand, we have 4 meals: breakfast (pequeno almoço), lunch (almoço), lanche (you do not have it in America) and dinner (jantar). Normally you will have lunch between 12-15h. As for lanche, which is a type of brunch if I can compare, is between 16-18h. At lanche you will find a variety of things to eat, as you mentioned you can get pastel de nata but you can also eat sandwiches, French toasts, toasts, some sweets or some salty pastries. This is a light course for you to not die in between meals 😂 As you have mentioned you have a restrict schedule in America, so you will eat dinner earlier than us. Due to the fact that we don't get out of work before 18h or even 19h, it is usual to eat dinner between 19h-22h. Dave, you can try to eat small meals between big meals such as breakfast and lunch, lunch and lanche or even lunch and dinner. This "lanche" meal is in Portuguese culture so you won't find it anywhere else, that is why you should start to get used to the fact that you have a light lanche before dinner 😉 Last thing I want to mention, as you live by, you won't pay so much attention to elderly woman being on the balcony 😂 as a matter of fact, they are just spending time while their family aren't at home, sometimes they chat with nearby neighbours equally as the ones in the supermarket, or in the pharmacy. I hope you get used to some things the good ones specially and have fun learning more about our culture 😁

Amazing video. Very funny and all true! I love it. Thank you ❤😂

I enjoy your videos , honesty and perspectives greatly. I've been in Porto for 4.5 months now after visiting Portugal three times before. One comment regarding tipping is that when my partner and I eat out, I have very carefully watched the native Portuguese in nontourists areas and have never obselved any tipping in the everyday confeterias and pasteleries, etc. Even in the higher end restuarants where they bring the check on a tray or a container, I've not observed tipping some people describe (the 5% or one or two euros). It's a shame when Americans insist on imposing our tipping culture in Portugal. I believe tipping here causes more harm than good.

Thanks a lot, it's very interesting.

All culture shocks I can handle in exchange for my well-being 😊 Love the tile on the wall behind you

Well done Dave, spot on! Laughed alot! All true.

About Mexican food, you should try Lá Siesta at Algés. Good restaurant. I'm portuguese and love your videos. As we say... Contínua😊

Another very informative and entertaining video, Dave! Very talented!

Wonderful video! Thanks & Love from Israel ❤

Just one more comment, and then I'll go: in spite of some inaccuracies, I really, really like your videos, Dave. I think you're really nice, and intelligent, because you know that different people do things differently, and you expect AND appreciate that. Good for you! And, of course, as any other Portuguese, I really like you liking to live here! 😄

Great review! I’m Portuguese and couldn’t agree more with you! Keep on going with your great vlogs! Congrats!

Broooo i forgot how much i love your videos! Keep up the good job! Some things made me scratch my head i confess! 😝😝😝

Peeing in public as a woman or kid can also happen. If there's nothing around... 🤷‍♀️ And friends are for occasions so out girlfriends will help covering for us haha 😂

Another great video, Dave! I have to say, your commentary on toilets is spot on. I'm so glad that someone said the quiet part out loud. After almost 2 years in Portugal, I thought that I had maybe developed some sort of disfunction. Good to realize the it's not just me. Smooth move, my friend! (sorry, I couldn't help myself) 🤪

Oh man! Parking in Nazare was next level dude. I had to park my car in the new make shift overflow parking that the city (I'm assuming it was the city) constructed for tourist season. It was just nuts. And then almost overnight, there was space to park my car on the same block as my apartment, just in the last week, like nothing happened. Cray!

I'm Portuguese and you are 100 % right 👍

Thanks for another great video, Dave. I really LMAO with your comments about the big pickup trucks here in the US and the drivers with their little manhoods. The toilet designs comments were also interesting. 🤩

I'll be there this Saturday, Dave! Thanks for these tips. Lisbon feels like my second home sometimes, but you hit the nail on the head with these culture shocks. I've definitely encountered them. Speaking of food, what's your favourite restaurant in the city? I have a soft spot for Cova Funda on travessa Joao Goncalves.

I've only lived in Porto for 6 months but I laughed out loud at some of these. The toilets...omg. And I could do without seeing a man peeing on the stairs next to my apartment ever again. I agree about the accessibility, I actually saw a rally downtown with about 20 people in wheelchairs one day and have seen 3 people when I was out and about in wheelchairs but that is it. This is one of the things the US gets right. One thing I've noticed in addition to family time is that older couples walk together and talk more. They seem to enjoy each other's company and are interested in conversation. It's heartening to see this and it seems cultural because it is so common in my neighborhood in Porto.

The music immediately after you said ding-dong was fitting. Que ótimo 👍🏼

Great points, Dave. The Portuguese use minha senhora or meu senhor, which is very respectful. The benefit of living in a small is that you're forced to learn language. Your accent sounds good. Parabens!

the tipping culture here in the US has drastically changed since CV19. Now even some fast food places expect tips. However wages for service staff is not the same as professional servers in EURO. Another change that is sad to see at least in my city is the lack of servers here in the US. Not sure where they all went since CV19 but many restaurants are struggling just to find staff. And grocery stores are now getting closer to what you described in Portugal. Fewer cashiers and much longer lives.

We tip, usually only in services like restaurants or other places with more personal service and not just like a kiosk or clothing store. We also don't tip in %. If you want to tip big use a bill, it all depends. If you're just stopping for a cup of coffee and pastel de nata you wouldn't tip 10€, but you might tip 1 or 2€ if you feel like its going towards good service. Also restaurants have each their own code on how to handle tips internally, either they go in a pot and split evenly to all staff, or they allow waiters to keep the full tip.

Having lived in Italy for many years (now in US) I can assure you (1) many (not all) cultural differences are the same as in Portugal, and (2) when your visit USA you will experience REVERSE CULTURE shock! I travel often between Europe and USA, so I experience reverse culture EVERY DAY. It doesn’t go away-just have to adjust my expectations. Great video. 👍🏻

Quick comment on the iPhone price example. In Portugal (whole Europe) the price you quoted includes the tax. You need to add sales tax to the US price, which in many places is 10% and more.

You forgot to talk about the roundabouts, so much safer imo. But ya, the car parking is insane lol.

Speaking of tipping and taxes… no wonder (portuguese) people don’t tip in Portugal, the taxes are usually 23%, not your average American 8%. It’s also important to remember how *low* the salaries are in Portugal. In rural NY a part-time job (20h/w) in 2 weeks pays me the same as a full month, full time (40h/w) in Portugal. (Same type of job.) That’s basically 4 times more.

THANK YOU 🙏

This video made me laugh a lot. Just saying something regarding the "senhoras", family or the respect for elders. It's definitely not exclusive to Portugal, it's pretty common in southern europe. Well, it's also pretty common in latin america. Maybe the weather has something to do with it. EDIT: Still about family, and something that I've seen in more than one occasion, and I love seeing it, foreigners getting pretty uncomfortable, certainly it already happened to Dave, which is, today you meet someone new, chances are that tomorrow at the nearest café you'll meet the parents, brothers, nephews, the dog, the uncles that have been living in Venezuela for the last 40 years but for some reason they decided to visit that exact day. It happened to me more than once as a tourist in Spain, and I love it since we do the same

Dude, you give CinnamonToastKen vibes. Maybe it's just because of the glasses and beard but watching this video reminded me of him

It's a pleasure to have you here!

Dude, immediate sub from me after the toilet breakdown! Epic analysis 😂

So happy you addressed the toilets. My solution is placing two TP sheets on the back sloping towards the water which makes a slide. That minimizes or eliminates the brush use.

A nice trivia people never saw it coming is that Portugal is a massive new cellphone consumers. In the early 00's till the mid 10's, portugal was the testbed for new models in europe. If it did well in Portugal, it would do well in the rest of the EU. Portuguese People change phones in average every 1.2 years I even met the Nokia Marketing Director when I was doing a internship, while Nokia was shooting itself with the Microsoft OS they used.

good job dave. 👍

I already said this but I say it again. This is the most honest review of my country that I have seen from any foreigner 👍

My pregnant wife was treated like royalty at the AIRPORT in Lisbon last summer. I fully agree with the strong Catholic ideals statement!

I am Portuguese. Just to say that I liked your video, as it is mostly correct. Some of the “bad” things you mentioned, I don’t like them also. I am 60 years old I have experienced a lot of changes (for good) in this great small country. I have hope that those little “bad” things are going to be corrected over time. We count on you that come abroad, to help! Please be very welcome!

Like your perspective and would absolutely love to live in Portugal after just a recent visit. The scenery was beyond beautiful! You're so right about the food, I haven't had any good food here in the US after coming back. I always felt quite safe walking in the city at night. I would live there in a sec, if I could have a way of creating income there. Thank you for your videos! I did get ripped off with a rental car there which was disappointing !

I have lived my whole life in the US but just recently moved with my entire family to the Azores . We’ve been here 1 year and everything you listed gave me a good laugh. Still getting used to living on island but we wouldn’t trade it for anything . Plus having all of Europe at our finger tips is amazing, once our company is stable we have plans to travel and explore all of its entirety.💜 definitely subscribing 🤝🏼

Yeah (I'm Portuguese) in Portugal you can't just have a gun laying around in your car/pocket. The people who have guns are the police and licensed hunters, and those can only use them in certain areas

Thanks!

Another great video. I agree, doing without favorite foods is one of the hardest things about living in Europe. Which is why I learned to cook the things I am missing, and grow the ingredients if necessary. So we eat Thai, Japanese, Chinese, and our beloved New Mexican cuisine whenever we want to!

You shaved your neck! 👏🏼👏🏼Looking nice and neat. I also love your shirts

Dave, I have lived in Portugal (ex UK not USA) for 18 years now and I congratulate you on the best and most accurate video on the basic differences. Next release, you might want to add the additional costs in buying and selling property here as opposed to other Countries. My last move (as I downsized here in the Algarve), cost me over 20k (when selliing) in Capital Gains and then over 10k in Purchase Tax. Things like IMI (like UK Council Tax) are much lower here than most other Countries I think. On a 350K property I only pay 360 euros per year for all local services.

Muito Obrigada💚

Como português, digo, este vídeo retrata a essência da portugalidade. Excelente 👏

I've been living in Portugal for almost 10 years now and I think there are some things you said that aren't really true or at least I've never seen. 1. The toilets - never seen toilets like the ones u mentioned here in Portugal. Never. 2. There are no bidets in public restrooms that's for sure, but in any house I've ever been in there is at least one. 3. In 9+ plus years I've only seen people doing it outside like at least once and it was someone from my home country where its way more natural to do it (Angola). 4. Portugal economy I wouldnt say its the best and its leaders don't really care but normally large building have elevators that's for sure unless they are really old. 5. If u ever talked to someone from Amadora, a region in lisbon, you would know how many people walk around with guns or knife. The news every week have a different story with a tragedy of someone shooting at others, normally same family members. Now for the rest, you are on point, which is kinda sad 😂

I was not expecting to see Leiria 🤩

Excellent information, not always what I want to hear, but excellent take on the Portuguese culture. I better bring a suitcase full of patience or get a big vial of Xanax😬

12:04 here in portugal our prices are lower for foreingners for the same reason we tend to hold on to material goods for longer: Our salaries are too low to aford extra expenses of good quality/newer. We can afford to pay our necessities like rent, food, water but the money that we have for other things is too little in comparison to other developed countries.

You're not alone, even for Brazilians Portugal is a culture shock. (I'm not talking about Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Lagos tbh)

We don't have enough space for those cars hahahah

As usual, correct in all aspects and funny to.

I feel your pain Dave, as a Brit in Portugal we suffer similar frustrations but there is so much good that goes with it. I have a different situation to you because my wife is Portuguese but I still see her getting very frustrated with all of the same things, tradespersons, bureaucracy, prices and driving. Mind you her parking infuriates me. I spent more than 20 years in Africa so quite acclimatised to having to be patient, I am probably more so than my wife. I have heard it said many times, when going anywhere in Africa the first thing you have to pack is patience. It applies to Portugal as well. The additional tax on vehicles, ISV, is probably the most frustrating for me, this is what makes cars so much more expensive here. It still even applies to old/classic cars. I looked at importing a modern classic car from the UK recently, because it had a relatively large engine and high CO2 rating it was going to cost me 4 times as much to import it than to pay for it initially in the UK, crazy! I'm guessing you are not far away from Lisboa from what you say, I am further north in Aveiro and there are some regional differences but the challenges are similar all over, probably more accentuated in the rural areas but still present all over. Stick with it Dave, there is no doubt that learning the language will be a massive help even though there are many people both speak and want to speak English. I find it very hard though 🙃🤔

As a portuguese, watching this made me lol a few times :D Nice videos man!

About the pee, I finally went back after nearly two decades and noticed it was actually better! And whereas there used to be dog shit everywhere, now I hardly saw any. Even littering is getting better.

Thanks for this video. I LOVE PORTUGAL ❤ ! What you said about the SENHORS is so true 😂. I experienced them in Alfama and at the mercado. They ar eno jok ebut so sweet once they get to know you. I can't wait to come back and see more of this beautiful country,

I think you are more integrated already than you think, Dave. Most of the negative things you mention are seen as negative for us Portuguese as well 😂

Hi Dave, really appreciate it this and others videos you do and did about my country. Yeah, its true a lot of that things, almost all the things. But the toilet part....was a surprise for me 😅😅😅 i think in general we dont like to do a examination of our number 2. My toilet its a "normal" one 😂😂 i really hope you like here, and you need to try the more interior part of the Portugal, like Bragança district (they have a really good beef called posta à mirandesa). Stay awesome 👊

I'm usually not on the side of bosses or big company owners, but maybe you should consider, Dave, that the reason there aren't as many cashiers in stores, even in big stores, like supermarket chains, is because employees aren't paid as miserably as in the US. Don't get me wrong, I think their pay is very low for our cost of life, and big companies can certainly afford to pay them more AND have more employees, and should do it! But, as low as the payment is, I don't know any cashier that needs to have two jobs (let alone three) just to pay for food and rent - as I'm told happens a lot in the US. Also, they can be SEATED while working (which is, to me, another incomprehensible thing about the US)!

I thought I was only one to realize about the weird place for the water in the toilet bowls !! I was thinking I was the wrong part 😅🤣

Lovely video, great culture shocks. Don't know if you made one before, but you could do one video just about food cultural shocks. Also thank you for the last one about the tipping, and asking people to stop tipping in excess in tourist places. We cannot afford that and we still deserve good service and unfortunately when your server expects a tip and sees a PT they don't try at all. And this isn't okay. Thank you for understanding this issue. Have a great day! Bom dia!

That's because u go to continent, if you go to Lidl or Intermarché, depending on your region. The Intermarché near me, ALWAYS has at least 5 people, and they are mostly empty

Dave , there are two Vietnamese restaurants in Porto. One of the is on Boavista. They are a young couple from Vietnam. The other one is actually a cafe downtown and sells sandwiches:)