Portugal - Culture Smart!: a quick guide to customs & etiquette

Culture Smart / Cultuur Bewust

by Sandy Pinto Basto

Culture Smart! provides essential information on attitudes, beliefs and behavior in different countries, ensuring that you arrive at your destination aware of basic manners, common courtesies, and sensitive issues. These concise guides tell you what to expect, how to behave, and how to establish a rapport with your hosts. This inside knowledge will enable you to steer clear of embarrassing gaffes and mistakes, feel confident in unfamiliar situations, and develop trust, friendships, and successful business relationships.

Culture Smart! offers illuminating insights into the culture and society of a particular country. It will help you to turn your visit-whether on business or for pleasure-into a memorable and enriching experience. Contents include


* customs, values, and traditions
* historical, religious, and political background
* life at home
* leisure, social, and cultural life
* eating and drinking
* do's, don'ts, and taboos
* business practices
* communication, spoken and unspoken


"Culture Smart has come to the rescue of hapless travellers." Sunday Times Travel

"... the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries." Global Travel

"...full of fascinating-as well as common-sense-tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas." Observer

"...as useful as they are entertaining." Easyjet Magazine

"...offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world." New York Times

Genres: Travel, Portugal, Nonfiction

168 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2005

Reviews

[Michael Cahill · Rating 5 out of 5]

For this compact little volume almost the size of my hand, there’s a tremendous amount of vital information describing the cultural norms and behaviors of Portuguese life, as opposed to typically American habits. Very much the sort of short-cut know how that a stranger would wish to be armed with before setting foot in this beautiful country. I’ve reviewed a number of volumes on the subject and, as someone planning to permanently relocate to Portugal, I found this little book to be the most candidly informative and easily digestible of all. Would that the author might have expanded this title to five times its length since it only whetted my appetite for more. No larger or more in depth writing I’ve found so far compares with the sheer pleasure of Carlos Cunha’s competently compiled book. A delightful and recommended read.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covered alot of topics efficiently and clearly. While of course generalizing in most cases, I feel like I have a decent feel for the flavor of the country, or at least a base line against which to compare my own experiences.

[Michele Desoer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just OK. There were several mistakes (for example, no Lyft in Portugal and the city of Guia, not Lisbon is the home of piripiri chicken) and I wanted deeper information about habits and customs. Parts were a bit patronizing.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and informative of the ‘way’ of Portugal. Worth a read if you plan a visit .

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful background info for travelers. Geared more towards expats and business travelers.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read - some useful facts, for the most part, this would be very useful for someone planning to live or conduct business in Portugal.

[William Beauvais · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful for those planning to visit this beautiful country.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information overall, could have been presented better, but it a good way to learn about the history and culture of Portugal.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, short read, but worthwhile if planning a trip.

[Dani Ollé · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short review of Portugal and its people

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this only because I was in Portugal & had run out of books about the country available from my Japanese Kindle account. It's readable, but also as superficial as one might expect.

[Simonas Puškorius · Rating 3 out of 5]

thought that it will cover more customs/traditions, nuances of Portugal. In general, a good essential guide for someone who plans to live in or visit Portugal

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

preparing for my trip to lisbon!

[Joanne P Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A practical, valuable, fun to read guidebook

A practical and valuable guidebook, that is enjoyable to read, for those planning a vacation, doing business or moving to Portugal.

[Marianne]

164 pages. Interesting read whether or not you actually visit Portugal.

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short little guide I read at the airport and on the plane. It was helpful, but very repetitive and lots of info not relevant to a tourist.