What Americans think about Portugal?

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Rabbityama

In America, Portugal is honestly rarely ever mentioned. Some people who travel to Spain may also go to Portugal, but happenings in Portugal or Portuguese culture are not as interesting to most Americans as Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Russia, Greece, and Germany. Portugal is rarely ever mentioned.

Portuguese language is studied by some Americans, but honestly, EVERY SINGLE PERSON who I've talked to study Portuguese because they are interested in Brazil and Latin America. I'm sure some do study it because of Portugal, but they are a minority by far.

With that said, I think Americans have a reasonably positive view of Portugal. Americans typically like European countries and sometimes not hearing about a nation means that it's safe, so I think people would like that, too.

Those are generalizations of American attitudes about Portugal. My own opinion:
I'm like many Americans in the fact that I don't know much about Portugal... When I think of Portugal, I get a sort of "old world" feeling. Like it's more laid-back (I could be completely wrong, but that's what I think of).

SUE

I only spent a total of about 7 days in Portugal, some in Lisbon, some on the beach in Algarve. I loved it. Warm, sunny beaches. Beautiful!

Lisbon was more about the history, and all of the sailors/explorers, and I hit it just after a high political official had been killed. My entire impression of Lisbon was of traffic jams (everyone going to the funeral).

Other than that it was a beautiful city.

Nothing really to dislike. Nice wine, good food, and for me, that year, it was a really good value.

topink

I loved Portugal, and I think Lisbon is one of the most picturesque cities I've ever seen. All those tiles and hills and good night life. I also went to some nice beaches. The only thing I didn't like was VERY slow service in restaurants. Waiters would clean tables before they'd bring a new customer a menu, and it seemed they could only do one thing at a time. But at least they didn't rush you to get out quickly like they do in New York.

MUSICGUY

well,i am not american im Irish but for the last 5 years during the summer i have holidyed in portugal as i find it the most beautiful and welcoming country in europe.
the people are fantastic and couldnt be more welcoming and helpful.
the culture is the same and i like the layed back way of life you find in the algarve and lisbon areas
if i wasn't moving to australia i sure would move to portugal but i don't speak portuguese very well!
i look forward to going to your country in june :D

juliette

Hi,

It's true that here in America you don't hear a lot about Portugal.

I've always liked the Portuguese language and thought many times of taking a course in Brazil. That was up until the last Soccer World Cup that i started really liking Portugal. For some reason i really liked their team and rooted for them to win until the end. From that moment started my unconditional love, i started looking for videos on youtube and finally decided to buy an airplane ticket and book some classes. I finally went there this past July for four weeks and had the best time of my life.

Everyone was very nice, loved the food, their beaches, the narrow and hilly streets of Lisbon, everything. Because of my classes i was only able to stay in the Lisbon district but i'm already planning to back this year to travel more around that beautiful country. Heck, i would move over there without hesitation.

I can't think of anything i didn't like, well maybe restaurant service wasn't always the best. But who cares....... I STILL LOVE PORTUGAL>

SwampFox

Spain overshadows Portugal in the US. I visited Portugal for a weekend and absolutely loved it. I went from Entroncamento to Coimbra to Porto. The people were absolutely great, the food wonderful and the countryside glorious. I hoped to make a return visit but haven't yet. It's a shame I don't know Lisbon or the south at all.

Most Americans don't know much about other cultures because the teaching of foreign languages and cultures takes a back seat to math, science and technology.

MIG

I don't know I'm Portuguese. Americans only think about themselves

John S

Speaking for myself, Portugal doesn't get enough mention in America. Other than it's conection with Christopher Columbus, it doesn't get much attention in our schools, our press, or our travel industry. Which is sad really, because it's such a nice country. A lot of the smaller European countries have that same problem in the US. They just don't get enough mention in American culture. I think it has more to do with how large a country the US is. We have so much going on in the lower 48 states that we rarely get to our own outlying states.

victor l

unless you go to a Portuguese cafe shop or bar you never hear of Portugal there is 400.000 Portuguese in Canada

Erik L

I hate there Football team ever since Figo left and Cristano Ronaldo came along

Â®PsychologyGuy

To be honest, I've never even thought about Portugal before...and I'm pretty into other cultures. I've opinions and thoughts on Russia, China, Japan, Australia, all the European countries, South America, Canada, Alaska, Mexico, and many more...but never looked into Portugal. In other words, in my opinion (assuming I'm an average American) Portugal isn't a big enough player in the world to warrant special attention. Sorry...

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