Portugal

Greetings

Man greeting Man – Men usually shake hands when greeting one another. A somewhat relaxed grip tends to be the norm. Good friends and family often engage in a light hug or taps on the back.

Woman greeting Woman- Light kisses (usually one on each cheek) are the most common form of greeting for friends and family. Often times it is just a light touching of cheeks rather than actual kisses. At a first meeting a regular handshake or simple nod of acknowledgment will usually do.

Greetings between Men & Women- Light kisses on the cheeks are the most common form of greeting for friends and family. Often times it is just a light touching of cheeks rather than actual kisses. At a first meeting a regular handshake will do. It is customary to let the woman offer her hand first.

Communication Style

• The Portuguese tend to be direct in their communication style. They will often tell you the truth but usually in a polite manner.
• Communication tends to be more on the formal side when in public and much less so in private.
• Many people tend to speak quite fast and somewhat loudly. This show of emotion is quite common and does not usually signify anger or displeasure.

Personal Space & Touch

• An arm's length distance is usually an appropriate amount of personal space during conversations.
• The Portuguese tend to touch a bit during conversations. This is more common with good friends and family then say in business or formal situations.
• It is common to see people hug in public; couples kiss in public, women interlock arms with men while walking in the street, etc. Public displays of affection are considered normal within certain limits.

Eye Contact

• Direct eye contact tends to be the norm and is expected and appreciated.

Gestures

• Table manners are extremely important. A knife and fork are to be used in restaurants and it is not usually polite to eat with the hands.
• Avoid putting your feet up on the furniture in public places.

Views of Time

• The view of time tends to be somewhat flexible. In social situations it is common to show up late but being on time for business situations is expected.
• Appointments and deadlines tend to be kept and most transportation services run on time.

Gender Roles

• Women are socially and legally equal to men, however there is still discrimination and many men tend to view women as the housewife and homemaker.
• Women hold a variety of positions of power in several industries, although salaries tend to be lower and they may have to work harder to achieve success.

Law & Order

• The legal age is to purchase alcohol is 18 but it is not readily enforced.
• Penalties for trafficking in illegal drugs are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Dress

• The Portuguese tend to value looking good and have a keen sense of style.
• For Men: dark colored conservative suits with shirts and ties.
• For Women: stylish business suits or dresses and blouses. Make-up and accessories are usually worn.
• Being well groomed and having all clothing neatly pressed is appreciated.
• Business casual attire may be appropriate in certain industries.

Titles & Business Cards

• Titles are important and it is best to address people directly by using Mr., Mrs., or Miss, followed by the surname. Note: Señhor is for Mr., " Señhora " is Mrs.
• You should always wait to be invited to use first names before doing so yourself.
• There is no specific protocol surrounding the giving and receiving of business cards. It is always best to treat the card with respect.

Meetings

• Arriving on time for a meeting is important as punctuality is valued.
• Business meetings tend to be structured but not overly formal, beginning and ending with a bit of small talk.
• The main purposes of initial meetings are to get to know one another and discuss, not to make decisions.
• Interrupting someone who is speaking is common, as is having several people speaking at once.

Negotiations

• Final decisions tend to come down to chemistry. Remain cool and professional; avoid any sort of confrontation and do not resort to hard sell tactics.
• The Portuguese tend to take time when negotiating. Do not rush them or appear impatient. Expect a great deal of time to be spent reviewing details before a final decision is made.
• Decisions are generally made from the top down.
• Once a decision is mad e and terms are agreed upon, avoid trying to make any further changes.

Gift Giving

• Gifts are not generally exchanged at initial business meetings.
• If invited over for dinner or a drink to a Portuguese home, you should always bring a gift. Either a bottle of high quality wine or a dessert/candy is acceptable.
• Avoid giving gifts in numbers of 13 (like flowers) as it is unlucky and be aware that lilies and chrysanthemums are usually given at funerals.
• Gifts tend to be opened when received.