Portugal
Business people are expected to wear suit and tie for most business meetings and formal attire is expected in some dining rooms and for important social functions. In terms of everyday business the Portuguese are correct and civil. Business cards are generally only exchanged by more senior members of a company. They respect the time of their appointments and expect the same from others. They are thorough to a fault, often pouring over all the documents relative to a negotiation, and not too ready "to just hit the highlights". This is done partly to be careful (conservative) but also to demonstrate their grasp of the matter - - exhibiting pedantic merit rather than pragmatic merit. Many Portuguese speak two, often three languages, English being the preferred second language. Office hours are 0900-1300 and 1500-1900 Monday to Friday.
Pickpocketings, muggings, and purse snatchings are the most frequent occurrences. Visitors should take precautions to minimize the dangers of assault or theft, especially from hotel rooms. When out and about, visitors should bring only essentials; do not carry large amounts of money nor numerous credit cards or expensive cameras. Protect any externally carried bags and do not keep anything valuable in rear pockets. Leave nothing of value stored within a rental car or personally owned vehicle. A locked trunk is not a secure place for storage. Vehicular break-ins and vandalism are on the rise.
The national emergency number is 112, for all police and medical emergencies.
The professionalism and responsiveness of police have improved. Police communications systems have been vastly improved in recent years. However, police presence in rural areas is sparse, and the police have been undergoing a leadership crisis. Outside of the Lisbon area communicating with police in English may be difficult. Police response times to assistance calls outside of the Lisbon area can vary.
There is a wide range of accommodation available all over the country, ranging from luxury hotels, pensions, boarding houses and inns to simple guest-houses, manor houses, campsites and youth hostels. The government-run pousadas offer very good value and are often situated in places of scenic beauty in converted castles, palaces or old inns.
Telephone IDD service is available in Portugal. The country code is 351 and the outgoing international code is 00. Portugal is a fully "wired" country with regard to communications, making available all the services found anywhere else in Europe: long-distance calls on Stateside credit cards; cellular telephones (can be rented from Telecel at the airport departures area); video-conferencing in state-of-the-art facilities; Internet services; e-mail, etc.
Electricity is a 220 volts AC, 50Hz, 110 volts in some areas and 220 DC in parts of the south. Continental 2-pin plugs are in use.
220 volts AC, 50Hz. 110 volts in some areas and 230 DC in parts of the south. Continental two-pin plugs are in use.
C,F
Seafood is popular, especially in Lisbon. Soup is a main dish. Portugals' sweet pastries are also worth a try.
Thinsg to know: Table service is normal. There are no licensing hours.National specialties:
• Seafood is popular, especially in Lisbon, but can be expensive.
• Sopa de marisco (shellfish soup cooked and served with wine).
• Caldo verde (green soup made with finely shredded green kale leaves in broth).
• Bacalhau (dried cod, cooked in over 100 different ways).
• Caldeirada is a fish stew with
as many as nine kinds of fish, cooked with onions and tomatoes.
• Carne de porco á Alentejana, in which bits of fried pork are covered with a sauce of clams stewed with tomato and onions.
• Puddings include arroz doce (rice pudding), Madeira pudding and nuvens (egg custard).
• Portugal’s sweet pastries (available in most cafes) are also worth a try. National drinks:
Portuguese wines have changed beyond recognition over the past 10 years. Many of these new, modern wines are indigenous varieties with distinctive flavors. Sparkling rosé wines are mostly produced for export. • Mateus Rosé is a famous lightweight rosé.
• Portuguese brandies are also good; the best are produced around Oporto, where Port wines originate. Tipping:
Generally 10 to 15 per cent. Taxi drivers are tipped 10 per cent.Nightlife
The large towns offer every kind of entertainment. There are many nightclubs, theaters, cinemas, stage shows, folk dancing and music performances. The traditional Fado can be heard in many restaurants, and performances begin at about 2200. Gambling is authorized and Espinho, Estoril, Figueira da Foz and Monte Gordo have casinos. The elegant Estoril Casino is the most renowned.
