#I also want to make a separate post about Portuguese superstitions just for Lunie

[sisididis]

Olá! ♥ So ~ last week I finished reading Volker Poelzl’s “Culture Shock: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette in Portugal”, and you know what that means-!

It’s time for another light-hearted analysis of our beloved dork, Port, and a brief comparison between Portuguese and Romanian cultures (because, once again, I was overjoyed to discover so many similarities.) 

1. Music and the sea

I was touched to read about how enamoured the Portuguese are with their music, poetry and, above all, the sea. Many Portuguese songs and poems evoke the longing, sadness and thrill one experiences while looking out the ocean.

Poelzl writes: “Of all the folkloric music traditions, fado (‘fate’ in Portuguese) is the music that best expresses the Portuguese sentiments of nostalgia and saudade.” 

Even though fado appeared centuries after the Age of Discovery (it was introduced to Portugal in 1821 after King João VI returned from Brazil), I think it perfectly captures the mood of the people back then - the sorrow of the women who had to see their husbands, sons and brothers leave for the New World, the nostalgia over irretrievable time. It’s fascinating to read about how the Portuguese had to rely on the ocean to survive. 

Fun fact: Bacalhau (codfish) is nicknamed “fiel amigo” (faithful friend), because it was the staple of Portugal’s poor for centuries. During times of famine, the city of Lisbon regularly bought shiploads of dried codfish from the English to feed the people.

I love Lunie’s headcanon that Port dedicates poems to the ocean. It makes me wonder what he’d do if the ocean were a personification, too. Then I remember this lovely ficlet by @forgotteninkpots​, in which the ocean almost drowns Port, then apologises by caressing his feet with its waves. Port forgives the ocean because “it was only playing with him”.

A part of me also wonders whether Port ever gave offerings to the ocean (not human offerings), but promises that sound like: “If you let me reach the New World in one piece, I’ll erect a building in your honour.” Fun fact: Did you know that Manueline architecture is known for its nautical motifs?

Now, regarding comparisons...Romanians have a word that is similar to ‘saudade’ in the sense that it conveys an emotion that can’t be pinpointed and can’t be translated into another language. In Romanian we use “dor” and it refers to one’s longing and nostalgia. When we miss someone, we say “Mi-e dor de tine” (I miss you).

2. The people

I am fond of the way the author describes the virtues of the Portuguese - “they still have time (...) to watch the world go by.” Someone like me who leads a fast paced life in the capital can only dream about this. The author describes them as being humble, timid, gentle and benevolent. And my experience tells me he’s right. : )

I see Port as a generous man, who enjoys the simple things in life, who isn’t as extravagant or as extroverted as the other Mediterranean nations, but who is nonetheless proud of his people and his history.

I think he is amazed by how far humanity has come in terms of technology, but I think he’s also a bit apprehensive about it and prefers to do a lot of things in the “traditional way”. 

I also headcanon that he text messages like an old man ( e.g. using “…” unnecessarily in the middle of the sentence, thinking that means a pause in conversation or typing an entire message in lowercase or uppercase, but never in both).

In terms of his personality, I think that Port suffers from both an inflated ego and a deep-seated feeling of inadequacy due to his past and always being “dwarfed” by Spain in one way or another.

I also think he has a pretty addictive personality (but not as addictive as Toni). Once his empire reached unprecedented heights, he became shortsighted and drunk on power. It was only after life served him some humble pie that he gained enough clarity to pick himself up and start over. Due to his lingering insecurities, he’s very receptive to people’s praises. But he’s also wise enough to know when flattery comes with ulterior motives.

He also seems like the type to struggle with double standards, meaning that he’s quick to judge others for the things that he would have no qualms about doing.  

A few weeks ago, I was watching this walking tour of Lisbon and when the guide reached Gloria Furnicular, I was sad to see so much graffiti smeared on the walls and on the tram. My immediate thought was “Wow, so it’s not that different from Bucharest :( ” but also “Port would probably just shrug his shoulders and go about his day”. It’s not that I think he’s indifferent, but I don’t see him taking out his phone and calling the municipal authorities to report it. It’s that “It can’t be helped” or “What can you do about it” mindset that he has.

He’s a stoic, and he’ll overcome whatever life throws at him, but I also think he’s got a long list of complaints that he never got to voice (what good would that do, right? and who’d listen anyway?) 

I love picturing him strolling idly down the streets, hands tucked into his pockets, soaking in the sunlight and eavesdropping on people’s conversations (when he isn’t lost in his own thoughts). 

Whenever he stares off into the distance, it’s instinctively towards the sea.

And am I the only one who romanticises Portugal and Spain’s shared geography? Like the Tagus coursing from Spain to Portugal. Whenever the river floods, does Port feel Toni in his veins? 

3. Money 

A few days ago, Lunie reblogged an old translation of Himaruya’s notes and doodles and this caught my attention: 

“Speaking of the Netherlands, he was trading all over Asia through smart merchants that only traveled to various countries once they have been trained on the local etiquette, so if they were in China, they’d conduct their business negotiations in the Chinese way. The Brits left the following comment: “the Dutch mold themselves so much to their business partner countries that it’s scary!”” 

It was so interesting to compare the Dutch way of conducting business with the Portuguese way. I’m sure that the Portuguese had different methods and expectations back then, but quotes like “To do business in our country, it is indispensable to conquer the sympathy of the buyer” are really eye-openers.

4. the 3 ‘F’s and the 3 ‘T’s

I remember perusing the pages of “The Ghosts of Spain” by Giles Tremlett some months ago and while reading about Portugal’s emblematic ‘F’s, I was powerfully reminded of the 3 ‘T’s associated with Spain. (Side note: I couldn’t remember whether the third ‘T’ about Spain stood for trauma or terroristas. I guess both are pretty dark.)  

5. Portugal Versus Spain 

My jaw just dropped when I read “Em Espanha, nem bons ventos nem bons casamentos.” and “Menos mal, que nos queda Portugal.” I love reading about this sort of historical rivalry. When I saw that the author compares Portugal and Spain’s relationship with that of David and Goliath my mind just instantly went to this: 

Translation: When I see a big one bully a small one, I grow angry. 

It would be unfair to say that Portugal has the brains while Spain has the brawns. But perhaps comparing them to Tom and Jerry wouldn’t be that far fetched XD.