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Re: First attitude experience
Originally Posted by Red Eric
(Post 12876750)
:) I hope it stays that way for you and everybody else who hasn't ever experienced a bit of awkwardness.
It can be a bit daunting if someone is being less helpful than they might and you feel at a disadvantage through not being a native speaker of their language. Had I back then thought I could earn a living I would have stayed. There was an opportunity to set up the first boat repair business in Vilamoura but at that time my experience was not up to it. |
Re: First attitude experience
Originally Posted by Lands21
(Post 12876758)
Pleased that wasn't my first experience of dealing with people in Portugal as everyone has been nothing but helpful since moving here, so maybe she does have a boring job, but no excuse for being rude!
Anyhow, I notice rather late that you're new here, so welcome to the forum from me. :) I hope you'll be sticking around and sharing any information or experiences of interest and answering questions where you can. Or asking them if need be. And don't worry about the snarling dogs at the gate - they're only playing! :lol: |
Re: First attitude experience
My wife (from Lisbon) always says that the Portuguese are more patient with the foreigners than with their own...... if you want to see some real "attitude" problems, try being Portuguese!
Most people are pleasant and helpful - moreso now than 20 years ago - but there is still an issue with those who gets a "gatekeeper" job in Portugal. It's rarer than before, but still some people .... a bank assistant, a local civil servant, etc., will maintain the old attitude - they are more "important" than you, whatever they are doing is more important than what you want and their private conversations should not be interrupted. They work there, you are just a client - and you're the one asking them for something, therefore you are inferior. If you then expect them to deal with the fact you don't speak Portuguese fluently and don't know "how things are done", well, so much the worse. Then there's the beloved bureaucracy..... my wife almost exploded when she went to the utility company to ask something, was the only person in at the counter, but was told she still needed a "senha" before they could talk to her!! Shrug it off, life's too short. |
Re: First attitude experience
Originally Posted by barlaventoexpert
(Post 12876842)
1st Question: Do you speak Portuguese?
2nd Question: Did you take someone with you who speaks Portuguese. I would remind you that this is a damned difficult time for everyone working in the Health Services across the world, so CUT THEM SOME SLACK!! Usually the reason for a "perceived" attitude problem is that when an "Estrangeiro" walks in, the immediate reaction on the part of staff of many Civil Service agencies in Portugal is " OH B*gger! I'm not paid nor trained to converse in a another language " & now I have to deal with this. Add to this current Portuguese opinions on Brexit, Borisconi & England's attitude to Covid19, and one has a toxic mix. Get to know the Portuguese well and you will learn how to work through these things. I consider myself as a permanent resident, a local and entitled to reasonable service. I don't take prisoners and can give any functionary what for it I have to, BUT I usually find knowing the system & how the locals live & operate resolves things. |
Re: First attitude experience
Originally Posted by Red Eric
(Post 12876912)
Indeed.
Anyhow, I notice rather late that you're new here, so welcome to the forum from me. :) I hope you'll be sticking around and sharing any information or experiences of interest and answering questions where you can. Or asking them if need be. And don't worry about the snarling dogs at the gate - they're only playing! :lol: |
Re: First attitude experience
Originally Posted by macliam
(Post 12876951)
My wife (from Lisbon) always says that the Portuguese are more patient with the foreigners than with their own...... if you want to see some real "attitude" problems, try being Portuguese!
Most people are pleasant and helpful - moreso now than 20 years ago - but there is still an issue with those who gets a "gatekeeper" job in Portugal. It's rarer than before, but still some people .... a bank assistant, a local civil servant, etc., will maintain the old attitude - they are more "important" than you, whatever they are doing is more important than what you want and their private conversations should not be interrupted. They work there, you are just a client - and you're the one asking them for something, therefore you are inferior. If you then expect them to deal with the fact you don't speak Portuguese fluently and don't know "how things are done", well, so much the worse. Then there's the beloved bureaucracy..... my wife almost exploded when she went to the utility company to ask something, was the only person in at the counter, but was told she still needed a "senha" before they could talk to her!! Shrug it off, life's too short. |
Re: First attitude experience
Originally Posted by Fredbargate
(Post 12877549)
macliam this post reminded me of one from the Spanish forum which included the following youtube clip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXWZ3uAEKsw |
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