Comments on: The Portugal Code: Never Complain, Never Apologize

By: dorean paxorales

dorean paxorales — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 20:12:24 +0000

In reply to Geoff J. :)

By: dorean paxorales

dorean paxorales — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 19:39:50 +0000

In reply to Michelle. que comentário tão ignorante.

By: John Youden

John Youden — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 07:34:13 +0000

The writer has identified a key cultural characteristics of the Portuguese that if not understood, can make trying to assimilate very difficult. But this is just not unique to Portugal. Wherever you go, which every country you reside in, you will discover cultural traits that may prove to be positive or negative, depending on how different they are from the cultural you were raised in, and how flexible you in adjusting to your new environment.
Regarding the negatives, when I lived in France I found that they lived too much by rules and were often inflexible, stubborn and aloof. In Mexico I discovered the importance of building a relationship first, and not to expect things to be done always on time, that the people and ways were very flexible, perhaps too flexible. In American I found that I had to be assertive if I wanted to survive, and that relationships were often transactional. And in Portugal I learned to be patient, polite but persistent. And I also learned a lot from this article.
All societies have their good and their bad. Portugal is no different. We need to embrace the positive as much as we can, learn to navigate through the negative, and always remember that someplace else will also have its negative side, different, but just as difficult if we cannot accommodate to it.

By: Monte

Monte — Thu, 25 Dec 2025 13:22:23 +0000

P.S.: very funny to think the current Mayor of Lisbon’s refusal to accept responsibility for something is a Portuguese trait considering how many countries are led by people like this.

By: Monte

Monte — Thu, 25 Dec 2025 13:18:04 +0000

In reply to Bruce lee.

This is not my experience at all. Maybe it’s a regional thing – I live in Northern Portugal and Northerners do have a reputation for being more direct, confrontational and outspoken – but I’m used to people acknowledging and apologising for mistakes.

Maybe, like I said, it’s a regional tjing. Or maybe the problem is with the “expats” – a term that, used as self-description is pretty telling of someone’s relationship with the country their moving to.

By: Jota

Jota — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 15:01:06 +0000

In reply to Rob. Tens remédio para isso. Ou precisas que te mostrem a porta?

By: Jota

Jota — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 14:52:51 +0000

Farto destes camones todos! Fora com eles!

By: Ana

Ana — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 09:23:57 +0000

In reply to João M.. Magoa sim a verdade magoa. Mas a verdade é que em vez de Doutores e Doutoras e sorrisos de vendedor a gente pegasse nos cornos do touro o pais andaria para frente. Neste momento anda roda de um circo de palhaços cada vez mais deprimente

By: Jon Allen Bell

Jon Allen Bell — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 15:39:04 +0000

This is an incredible essay, and the best explanation of the “responsibility vs. honor” divide I’ve ever read. Another take on this was from an essay I read a long time ago — in general, people in the West feel guilt but not shame. In the East (in general), people feel shame but not guilt. Guilt is internal; shame is external. Guilt is about your conscience passing judgment on you, but shame is about other people passing judgment on you (and your family). (Note: one Eastern culture that doesn’t do this is Japan, where a businessman is absolutely expected to issue a sincere, nearly groveling apology if he feels responsible for a bad problem.)

By: Andreas Schubert

Andreas Schubert — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 14:47:11 +0000

In reply to Ivan Jenkins. I couldn’t agree more!