Mostrando resultados por autor "Bruce H. Joffe" en Todas las categorías

Who's the rude ones: us or them? “Traffic jams, badly behaved children, disagreements between couples, red tapes, and queues all add up to make the Portuguese the mount irritable, bad tempered, and explosive nation in Europe.” This was among the shocking results of a public survey carried out in 17 countries throughout the European Union by Reader’s Digest in conjunction with leading universities. The leading question made in the survey was this one: “What irritates Europeans the most?” According to Jorge de Sá, professor of sociology and an expert in vox pop surveys, the ...

Consider this scenario, one quite familiar to everyone seeking to move abroad to Portugal (and Spain). One of the indispensable requirements of obtaining a residency visa is documenting that you have a dwelling … at least for your first six months here. You can rent or buy. Your choice. Though some opt for renting, knowing they will have to relocate when their lease is up, it’s a sensible choice—especially if you have few household items and worldly goods to transport. You’ll have a chance to live up close and personal and understand the lay of the land as you explore other ...

We’re on your way home, back to Portugal. Our car-minivan-van-caravan is filled almost to the brim with two humans, two dogs, food and purchases we’re taking back with us on the motorway. The sweltering heat is hovering around 45 degrees and it’s muggy, to boot. Two days earlier, we’d replaced the battery; now, a light on the dashboard indicates in Portuguese “Verificar bomba de óleo” (Check oil pump). Seconds later, a different light comes on in all capital letters in red: “STOP!” The language is universal. We pull off onto a median strip and turn of the engine, which is ...

Tipping has been one of those difficult adjustments for me to make, now that we live in Portugal and Spain. While I am tempted to use the same rule of thumb that guided my gratuities in the USA – 20% for good service, 10-15% for acceptable, less for less – I am seeing how awkward even appreciative workers here may feel and react when given a tip based on these percentages.

In a world where the USA's isolationist policies have left many feeling disconnected, "Portuguese Passports" follows the journey of an American couple navigating the labyrinthine process of obtaining dual nationality in Portugal. Amidst bureaucratic challenges and cultural misunderstandings, they uncover not just the privileges of a Portuguese passport, but also the resilience of human connections across borders. As they strive for a new beginning, their story reflects the complexities of belonging in an increasingly divided world.

Unlike some countries which pay you interest for the privilege of holding and investing your money, Portugal (and Spain) charge you for “renting” space at their banks. Add five euros each month … just for maintaining your account. To this, your bank will also charge you transaction fees. Consider transfers: Regardless of the amount or location to which you’re transferring funds, you’ll be charged a fee–plus IVA!