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Hate #1. The Eating Times: Portuguese restaurants close their kitchens from 3PM until 7 or 8PM each day. That means if you get peckish for Porco Preto or salivating for Sardines at 5 or 6PM you are out of luck. You can get small snacks and the fast food joints are open, but the traditional fair is not available. This will really upset you traveling while you are in Portugal especially if you have kids with early bed times.
Hate#2. Paying for Bread and Olives: This is just an annoyance you may notice on paying your bill at a restaurant. The tasty looking bread, olives, BUTTER, sardine paste, cheese, ham, etc You have to pay for each of them separately. Yes, that means that pad of butter your dad wants to eat costs him something more. And if you are looking at the cheese and ham realize that they will cost more than your actual meal.
Hate#3. Drug Dealers in Lisbon: This is something even the locales hate. Drug dealers on the pedestrian streets and in the bar districts asking everyone and anyone to buy hashish or worse. They come up regardless of the time of day or people you are with. I have been asked for drugs while I was pushing my son around in his stroller (he was 3 at the time), and my mom (grandma) was offered drugs as well. Just say no and be forceful with it as they will follow you and ask you again and again.
Hate #4. Portuguese Drivers: My Portuguese friends like to tell me there is a little rally driver in each Portuguese. The problem is that means the roads are quite dangerous and that includes the sidewalk. Walk around Porto or Lisbon and you will see. Especially scary for parents with small children.
Hate # 5. Service: Now, not all service is bad in Portugal, if you find a family run restaurant (tasca) or store you will be pleasantly surprised. But the chain stores and restaurants have service that will turn you off of shopping. So, be prepared. The minimum wage is only about 450 euros per month, so that may explain a bit.
And then there are things you will love about Portugal.
Love #1. It is Cheap!! Comparing to any other western and some eastern European countries Portugal is extremely affordable. Whether it is eating out, public transport or drinking your wallet will love your visit to Portugal almost as much as you will!
Love #2. Wine and Food. Portuguese wine is amazing and affordable, if you want to learn how to love wine Portugal has them all, great reds and whites, their green wine (young white) is to die for and of course the world famous Port Wine from Porto. The food here is great as well, whether it is the great selection of seafood or pork or sweets Portuguese food is dang tasty!
Love #3. Nice People: Portugal has amazing people and when you get to know them they become even more affable and friendly. They will invite you to their home or even their grandmas village just to show you a good time in their country. They will let you know the best restaurants and are glad to share. Amazing people.
Love #4. They Speak English. Portuguese are great at English, not only do a majority of the youth (under 40) speak it, they speak it well. And even over 40 you will find a lot of older people that tourist will be in contact with will speak at least workable English. This is helpful regardless of where you are from as English is the international language.
Love #5. The Country. You will love the sites, the history, the everything about Portugal. There is so much to see and do and I just do not have enough space here to write or time on video to explain, but believe me whether it is surfing in Sagres, hiking in the Serra da Estrela, Celebrating Santos in Lisbon, Portugal will be a great trip you will remember forever.
