CultureShock! Portugal

Volker Poelzl

Description

CultureShock! Portugal is every reader's guide to living, working and adapting to life in this beautiful, charming country. Packed full of useful information, this book will answer all your questions and provide you with much, much more. Find out how to obtain a work visa, how to enrol your children in the schooling system, where to live, and what to bring from home. As well as providing the practical information essential for anyone moving to a foreign land, this book guides you through the picturesque countryside, from vineyards to almond groves. Visit old-fashioned villages where bar owners know their patrons and grocers know their customers. Discover how the work environment ticks and what is important to the Portuguese people. For anyone wanting to truly understand and experience what it is like to live in Portugal, CultureShock! Portugal is a must read.

Sujets

• Portugal

Informations

• Publié par: MarshallCavendishM
• Date de parution: 01 août 2009
• Nombre de lectures: 4
• EAN13: 9789814435628
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 5 Mo

Extrait

This 3rd edition published in 2009 by:
Marshall Cavendish Corporation
99 White Plains Road
Tarrytown NY 10591-9001
www.marshallcavendish.us
First published in 2004 by Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private
Limited; 2nd edition published in 2006.
2009 Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited
All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Request for permission should be addressed to the Publisher, Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited, 1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196. Tel: [phone], fax: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail]
The publisher makes no representation or warranties with respect to the contents of this book, and specifically disclaims any implied warranties or merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose, and shall in no events be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Other Marshall Cavendish Offices:
Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Pte Ltd. 1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196 Marshall Cavendish Ltd. 5th Floor, 32-38 Saffron Hill, London EC1N 8FH, UK Marshall Cavendish International (Thailand) Co Ltd. 253 Asoke, 12th Flr, Sukhumvit 21 Road, Klongtoey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Marshall Cavendish (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Times Subang, Lot 46, Subang Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Batu Tiga, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Marshall Cavendish is a trademark of Times Publishing Limited
eISBN: 978 981 4435 62 8
Please contact the publisher for the Library of Congress catalogue number
Printed in Singapore by Times Printers Pte Ltd
Photo Credits:
All black and white photos from the author except page 16 (Elke Poelzl). All colour images from Photolibrary except p (Getty Images). Cover photo: Corbis
All illustrations by TRIGG
ABOUT THE SERIES
Culture shock is a state of disorientation that can come over anyone who has been thrust into unknown surroundings, away from one s comfort zone. CultureShock! is a series of trusted and reputed guides which has, for decades, been helping expatriates and long-term visitors to cushion the impact of culture shock whenever they move to a new country.
Written by people who have lived in the country and experienced culture shock themselves, the authors share all the information necessary for anyone to cope with these feelings of disorientation more effectively. The guides are written in a style that is easy to read and covers a range of topics that will arm readers with enough advice, hints and tips to make their lives as normal as possible again.
Each book is structured in the same manner. It begins with the first impressions that visitors will have of that city or country. To understand a culture, one must first understand the people-where they came from, who they are, the values and traditions they live by, as well as their customs and etiquette. This is covered in the first half of the book.
Then on with the practical aspects-how to settle in with the greatest of ease. Authors walk readers through topics such as how to find accommodation, get the utilities and telecommunications up and running, enrol the children in school and keep in the pink of health. But that s not all. Once the essentials are out of the way, venture out and try the food, enjoy more of the culture and travel to other areas. Then be immersed in the language of the country before discovering more about the business side of things.
To round off, snippets of basic information are offered before readers are tested on customs and etiquette of the country. Useful words and phrases, a comprehensive resource guide and list of books for further research are also included for easy reference.
CONTENTS
Preface
Introduction
Acknowledgements
Dedication
Map of Portugal
Chapter 1
First Impressions
About the Land
About the People
Chapter 2
A Look at the Land
Geography
Population
Portugal s Regions
The Natural Environment
Climate
Time
Portugal Then and Now
The New Portugal
The Economy
Government and Political System
Chapter 3
Portuguese Realities
Still the Poor House of Europe?
Gender Disparities
Race Relations
A Country of Emigrants
Internal Migration
Rural Ways of Life
Urban Living
Sentiments and Perceptions
Chapter 4
Understanding the Portuguese
The Ever-present Past
Traditions and Transitions
Family Life
Friendship
Love Relationships
Marriage
Children
The Twilight Years
Death and Dying
The Portuguese about Themselves
The Portuguese about Foreigners
A Deeply Rooted Faith
Religious Practices
Catholic Celebrations and Traditions
Other Religions
Do as the Portuguese Do
In Conversation
Appearances
Manners and Demeanors
Chapter 5
Settling In
Before you Leave Home
Entry Requirements
Documentation and Other Formalities
Setting Up Home
Utilities in Your Home
Initial Adjustments
Portugal for Children
Expatriates in Portugal
Shopping
Postal Service
Telecommunications
Financial Matters
The Media
Getting Around
Driving in Portugal
Law Enforcements, Crime and Safety
Health Considerations
Health Care
Education
Chapter 6
A Taste of Portugal
The Daily Fare
Eating In and Out
Sustenance from the Sea
Hearty Meat Dishes
Favourite Soups
Other Specialities
Pastries
Snacks and Appetisers
Alcoholic Beverages
Coffee Drinks
Inviting and Being Invited
Chapter 7
Enjoying Portugal
Folklore and Tradition
Handicrafts
Traditional Folk Music
Folkloric Dances
Festivals, Fairs and Pilgrimages
Touched by the Muses
Socialising and Recreation
Out on the Town
The Performing Arts
Chapter 8
Overcoming the Communication Barrier
The Language Challenge
Introduction to European Portuguese
Pronunciation
Stress
Everyday Portuguese
Proverbial Wisdom
Gestures and Signs
Chapter 9
Work and Business
Working in Portugal
Finding Work
Employee Rights and Benefits
Income Tax and Other Withholdings
Doing Business in Portugal
Business Etiquette and Style
Women In Business
Dressing for Business and Work
Chapter 10
Fast Facts about Portugal
Famous People
Acronyms
Places of Interest
Culture Quiz
Do s and Don ts
Glossary
Resource Guide
Further Reading
About the Author
Index
PREFACE
When I first began research on this book, little did I know that I would soon be led astray by Portugal s age-old history full of details, anecdotes and tales. Experiencing Portugal was like walking through the open pages of a history book, and it took me some time to get past legends, castles, ruins and cathedrals to arrive in the present and see Portugal the way it is today and not how it was 500 or 800 years ago. I realised that in order to understand Portugal today, it was necessary to understand it through its past. This book is the result of my journey of discovery that led me from the heather-clad mountainsides of the north to the small fishing towns of the south, and from Paleolithic rock art in the upper Douro region to the steel and glass architecture of Lisbon s Park of Nations. Researching and writing this book was a little bit like wandering through Lisbon s Alfama district, with its myriad stairways and winding narrow alleys that lead visitors astray. Every courtyard required a visit, every alley wanted to be followed, every stairway needed to be explored, and at every step new discoveries awaited me, from a beautiful flower arrangement on a rusty balcony to a market woman engaging me in a friendly conversation.
During my lengthy explorations and research in Portugal, I tried to keep in mind the main question: what information, among all this wealth of details, facts, anecdotes and experiences, would provide essential insights into Portuguese culture for the readers? I wanted this book to be both informative and entertaining, and above all, I wanted to awake in the reader a little bit of that curiosity about Portugal that guided me on my own discoveries. This book is by no means an attempt to cover every aspect of Portugal. It is merely intended as an introduction to the wealth of Portuguese culture and an invitation for readers to lose themselves a little bit in Portugal s rich art, music, history, stalwart castles and narrow alleys and come out enriched and transformed.
INTRODUCTION
Located on Europe s westernmost perimeter, Portugal leads an almost forgotten existence in the shadow of Western Europe s great nations. Little is known about this small country, except perhaps port wine and the Algarve, Portugal s best-known resort region. Portugal is not a country that readily displays itself or its culture. Portugal does not have world-famous natural wonders and architectural trademarks. Its national heroes are not well known abroad and there are no long lines outside the Lisbon museums to see the works of Portugal s most famous painters. Portugal is not a country of superlatives or superstars, but it has an enormous cultural and historical depth that goes back several thousand years and gives the country and people their identity. The Portuguese themselves are a humble and somewhat timid people, even a little reserved, and it takes time to get to know them and discover their gentle and benevolent nature. Many people have asked me what it was that I liked best about Portugal, and I have come up with the following answer: That people still have time, time for friends and family, time to plant kale in their tiny backyards, time to stand under an archway on the town square and just watch the world go by ...
While Portugal has undergone significant changes brought by modernisation and its pr