This should be a time to socialize, so don’t bring up business unless they do first. She is President of Circles Of Excellence for Corporate Education, and a distinguished Professional Keynote Speaker. South Africans tend to use demonstrative body language when talking. They also tend first to analyze their personal interest in an action or deal, so understanding ‘hidden agendas’ is an important skill. Contact us about our customized programs for Communication Skills, Cross-Cultural Communications, Customer Service, Diversity, Leadership & Management, Presentation Skills, Sales & Negotiations, Stress Management, Team Building, and Time Management. The Latest!

They will also typically understand Spanish however Spanish speakers won’t necessarily understand Portuguese, because the pronunciation is especially difficult. Consensus and a ‘win-win’ attitude is typically the underlying philosophy. In my opinion, the following is the best example of a faux pas from real life. In Portugal it is called education, in contrast to training which is what is happening in schools, universities, training centres etc. Meetings tend to run long, and do not necessarily keep to an agenda or timetable.

A common interest in sports goes a long way in solidifying the personal side of a business relationship.

First of all, communicate and connect with the best possible attitude. These are just physical appearances and inside are souls that want to be loved, appreciated and seen. For negotiations, the key is patience and a willingness to educate your business partners about your way of doing things. Labor laws are very tough, and there is a culture of state involvement in business and collectivist policies. Go beyond the physical: old, young, ugly, beautiful, etc.

There is no such thing in reality. We work with companies of all sizes and industries, including 50 Fortune 500 companies. When doing business in South Africa, keep in mind that the English, the Afrikaners, and the black Africans all have distinct forms of greeting, and while united as South Africans, each tends to mirror their collective personality. Personalized gifts are the best, Talking about your home country, as well as your interest in South Africa — it’s diverse and beautiful terrain, rich culture, and wild life, The evolving racial and social policies are open to discussion, but make sure you are well versed on the topic, and don’t impose your views, It’s impolite to point with your index finger so use an open hand, Talking with your hands in your pockets is considered rude, When passing through a doorway, it’s customary for African men to precede women, The “V” or peace sign is the same as giving “someone the finger”, and it’s usually punctuated by an upward thrust of the hand.

Coming from a country where people call the left side the right side and the right side the wrong side we can but have compassion for them, but don’t be surprised if some might find it “not amusing”. ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘next week’ are relative terms in Portuguese. Try to blend in with your voice, your dress code, the way you spent money, the way you walk. “I could teach so many things here in Portugal”. Don’t push for an immediate answer, and the correct information will likely be provided to you in the very near future.

Teamwork may be weaker than in some cultures, because the Portuguese don’t like challenging authority.

“the food was delicious, the service was good,…” doesn’t really matter how you justify it as long its plausible.

It’s OK for men due to some mysterious twitch of fate or the overall outdated male dominance, though it is a faux pas for women. The pace of business is somewhat slower and more relaxed when it comes to negotiations and the decision-making process.

They will also typically understand Spanish however Spanish speakers won’t necessarily understand Portuguese, because the pronunciation is especially difficult. “I could teach the Portuguese a few things”. It’s best to begin more formal, and then adapt to more a more casual style as the relationship develops. Portugal is a wonderful land with breathtaking sceneries, kind and open-minded people and a very long history. In general, the Portuguese are relaxed about etiquette and public behavior, however it is considered impolite to stretch in public. She shared her experiences and thoughts with me every morning 4 days in a row: Day 1. Avoid the “hare-sell” since that may be perceived as pushy. Cultural Clues, Do’s and Taboos Articles, Tags: 5 Keys to successful cross-cultural communication, books on intercultural communication, business travel tips for south africa, Circles of Excellence, circles of excellence for corporate education, circlesofexcellence.com, communicating across cultures, communicating in different cultures, communicating in south africa, conference speaker, conference speaker for events, conference speakers, conversation guidelines for cultures, conversation guidelines for south africa, cross cultural business communication, cross cultural communication, cross cultural communication book, cross cultural communication books, cross cultural communication training, cross cultural expert, cross cultural management training, cross cultural speaker, cross cultural training program, cross cultural training programs, cultural diversity book, cultural diversity books, cultural dos and taboos, cultural tendencies, cultural tips for countries, cultural tips for south africa, diversity speakers, do’s and taboos for portugal, doing business in different cultures, doing business in south africa, doing business with south africa, dos and taboos for south africa, female speakers, Gayle Cotton, gaylecotton.com, intercultural communication book, intercultural training, international sales and negotiation training, international speakers, managing culture shock, professional keynote speaker, professional keynote speakers, professional motivational speakers, professional public speakers, say anything to anyone anywhere, sayanythingtoanyoneanywhere.com, social business etiquette, speaker for events, speaker preview for gayle cotton, successful cross cultural communication, successful cross-cultural communications, tips for intercultural communication, understanding cross culture, understanding cultural differences, understanding the culture in south africa, women motivational speakers.
Being polite and well behaved is what really matters.

Job title and rank are less significant, although it is important to know the business hierarchy and who really makes the decision. This is one of the very few European countries that prefers to employ foreigners over its nationals. Portuguese dont like to be the target of charity… Casually mentioning that you’d love to see a cricket match or rugby game might just get you an invitation to one! A lady from the North of Europe visited a meditation centre in Lisbon. Personal finances, salary, career positions etc. What cultural faux pas exist in Portugal? We live in Southern Europe, Portugal is a “small Brazil” and it will take ages and a very different mindset in order for Portugal to achieve social equality.
It shouldn’t be this way but Portuguese prefer what is foreign with the exception of football ( another similarity to Brazil). What were his first impressions?

Some tourists say “Oh, that is so very cheap, in my country… “, which implies looking down on the locals. First within ourselves and then in the world around us. In Portuguese “bem educado” means not “well-educated” but “well-raised”, maybe even “thoroughbred”. Dutch by birth, he moved to Lisbon in 2004 as he says “to follow his heart’s desire”. Tags: business management abroad, circlesofexcellence.com, communicating across cultures, communicating in different cultures, communicating in Portugal, conversation guidelines for cultures, conversation guidelines for Portugal, cross cultural business, cross cultural coaching, cross cultural consulting, cross cultural courses, cross cultural education, cross cultural expert gayle cotton, cross cultural speaker gayle cotton, cross cultural training, cross cultural training in dallas, cultural competence training, cultural taboos, cultural tips for countries, culture shock, doing business in different cultures, doing business in the Portugal, global business marketplace, intercultural training, international sales and negotiations, multicultural communication, successful cross-cultural business communications, understanding cross culture, understanding cultural differences, understanding the Portuguese culture. Share them in comments below or contact us at hello@meetngreetme.com to co-create with us! Slippers and sandals will instantly label you as a tourist. Apart from this the rest of your article has good info on the portuguese. Don’t assume that “my country, my culture, my language” is how things are supposed to be globally.

If you want to get to know your business partners better, invite them for a cup of coffee, lunch, or dinner. South African businesspeople aren’t easily impressed with slide presentations. Cultural taboos; Portugal is situated on the West and Southwest side of the Iberian Peninsula in south-western Europe.

Cultural Clues, Do’s & Taboos – A Series of Cultural Tips for Countries from A to Z: PORTUGAL You can assume that most Portuguese business contacts will speak some English. Some South Africans speak English with a heavy accent, as well as in a fast rhythm. Assuming that your culture is the only right way of doing things. Cultural Clues, Do’s & Taboos – A Series of Cultural Tips for Countries from A to Z: SOUTH AFRICA. The first meeting is about establishing personal rapport and deciding if you’re a person they can trust. In Portugal, the family is the foundation of the social structure. Gently focus the discussion or bring it to closure, but allow plenty of room for people to say what they have to say. A raised voice will be interpreted as an insult. Not much of interest in this article except for the man from Portugal who mentioned about the tip. © 2020 MeetnGreetMe. Here is his view onto the Portuguese culture and advice on what to do and not to do to behave like a local when you are in Portugal. do not bother women in the street you do not know. and waiters do receive lower salary because they receive a big part of their income in tips. Every year more than 10 million people choose Portugal as their destination for travelling attracted by the rich culture and incredible nature. Introductions are usually orchestrated in order of seniority. Portugal is a wonderful land with breathtaking sceneries, kind and open-minded people and a very long history. The use of academic titles and distinctions are very common. I am Portuguese and I loved your post. There was an Indian lady from London who, when stepping into the car at the airport in Portugal, put it so eloquently saying: “You guys are driving on the wrong side of the road”. With friends and close associates, hand-holding is a sign of friendship. A light shawl over the head or at least shoulders when entering religious buildings is common and highly appreciated. For the most part, they are ruled by a sense of fair play, and it’s rare for them to “haggle” over prices or obsess over details. Always wait to be asked to sit down. Dressing as if you are on holidays or ready to clean the garden is an absolute faux pas in Portugal.