1 year, 9 months ago
What are the differences between Spanish and Portuguese culture?
This doesn't need to be a detailed answer... just brief highlights for someone that has no clue what they might be.
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M$1 Answer
It is very sad that this country gets lumped together with Spain just because of its geography.
People often think that the Portuguese are 'Latin' or 'Hispanic'. They are not.
Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe. They pride themselves on their unity, creating an independent state in 1140 when Spain was still a bunch of rivaling kingdoms.
http://fits.depauw.edu/mkfinney/culturaleresumes/portugal/history.htm
The Portuguese also pride themselves of being the descendants of the Lusitanians.
http://www.cascais-travel.com/lusitania.html
Even though I majored in History... it has been a long time since I studied Portugal, but I found a great site that gives a good outline of their culture, history and traditions.
http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Portugal.html
One thing I found while researching this question is that Portugal decriminalized illegal drugs 8 years ago... and the outcome of that change is surprising. (see video)
People often think that the Portuguese are 'Latin' or 'Hispanic'. They are not.
Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe. They pride themselves on their unity, creating an independent state in 1140 when Spain was still a bunch of rivaling kingdoms.
http://fits.depauw.edu/mkfinney/culturaleresumes/portugal/history.htm
The Portuguese also pride themselves of being the descendants of the Lusitanians.
http://www.cascais-travel.com/lusitania.html
Even though I majored in History... it has been a long time since I studied Portugal, but I found a great site that gives a good outline of their culture, history and traditions.
http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Portugal.html
One thing I found while researching this question is that Portugal decriminalized illegal drugs 8 years ago... and the outcome of that change is surprising. (see video)
videos:
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M$
Hmm. Everyday comparisons.
The Portuguese don't do bullfights.
They also having a different eating schedule than the Spanish. The Spanish have dinner hours later, making tapas very popular.
Even though both countries eat red meat and fish... the Portuguese have a lot more fish on the menu than the Spanish. This can also be attributed to their geography.
But the most important thing is that they hate to be compared to the Spanish! ;)
-- Quote
. Lusitania was the name given by the Romans to a province of the Iberian Peninsula inhabited by the Lusitanian people. It included all of modern central Portugal and much of western Spain.
-- /Quote
From the ref about Lusitania in the answer.
One might think (if one were as clueless as me) that would mean there'd a be a lot in common between Western Spain and Portugal.
I was looking more for a snappy comparison of culture (in its everyday rather than highbrow sense) than essays on history, institutions etc.
Would be pleased if anyone can find something like that!
I also esp prefer to see something that compares and contrasts the two cultures rather than just info on one or the other that leaves me to work them out.
Thanks for the info anyway!
> they hate to be compared to the Spanish! ;)
Yessss... but that's always the case.... Canadians / Americans, Scots / English, New Zealanders / Australians... just for a start. :D
You seem to know Portugal quite well!