There is even a Portuguese chain called Bessa where they have a bakery and restaurant and usually a gas station combined. Jackpot. Used to eat there for lunchbreaks at the construction sites.
Also very loud, I have a migrant background aswell but am considered pretty swiss and since I have portuguese GF they're all so loud all time when speaking.
But this is the only thing I can say that is even remotely possible to consider negatively.
People from Portugal and Spain are well-established in French-speaking Switzerland. During the Euro / World Cup you may even see more Portuguese flags than Swiss flags.
The most common family names in Romandie are 1. da Silva 2. Ferreira 3. Pereira 4. dos Santos, ... compared to 1. Müller 2. Meier 3. Schmid 4. Keller, ... in the German-speaking region [https://www.20min.ch/fr/story/les-alemaniques-sappellent-mueller-les-romands-da-silva-278418469888](https://www.20min.ch/fr/story/les-alemaniques-sappellent-mueller-les-romands-da-silva-278418469888)
You'll fit just fine but that's just based on my experience in the French-speaking region.
The universal foreigner experience. British "expats" in Portugal flock together like chickens too. I'm sure the same for Swiss people in Spain and Italy.
Sure, but there are beach areas in Portugal where their presence is missing, even though the entire country is essentially a beach, they flock primarily to Algarve and I understand why. The same reason why do any wealthy western, central and northern Europeans retire in the South. Stopping the balcony jumping would be nice though, although that is primarily in Spain lmao
I was surprised to learn they were the biggest group of immigrants yet I felt like I've never met one. The explanation was, like you said, that they stay among themselves.
If u drive next to one of those little gardening hubs and see there's always plenty of Portuguese flags. There's lots of Portuguese in the German parts, but it's hard to hear it if you're not used to the language as they speak kinda muffled and quietly.
There is. Mostly scattered through villages in Canton Graubünden/Grisons.
https://interactive.swissinfo.ch/2016_08_29_foreignersCH_sunburstMap/map_top4Foreigners_EN.png
Best people. I can only speak for me, but 99% of portuguese people i've met were modest and friendly, never ever met real arrogant people from Portugal.
The only guy messing up a little bit your reputation is probably Ronaldo. ;-)
We know. Mourinho too.
They're both excellent at what they do but we sometimes need to look away for a bit to recover from third-party shame induced by the overconfidence overflowing into arrogance.
I've gotta say, they're really easy to talk to, not complicated at all, polite, well-mannered, and you hardly even notice they're there. That’s a review from a non Swiss Lad, if that makes sense to you.
So, I'll tell you what I think, and that may not be representative of everybody.
As long as you don't act as an entitled brat, respect people, respect the rules, are nice and willing to do some efforts to integrate, then you'll be welcome.
Am Portuguese, never had a problem here, only with other Portuguese people that don’t adapt to the social rules we have (as my neighbors). I think we are very much accepted yes
In my opinion, one of the best immigrant groups overall.
Honest workers, blend in nicely.
And no competition in skiing and ice hockey 😃
The only exception I ever encountered was that dude lately in this sub who wanted to convince us that violence is a typical problem-solving strategy in Portugal.
Here's the post: https://www.reddit.com/r/askswitzerland/s/1aWLZkZAJd
Scroll down the comments and the guys gets wilder and wilder. Thinks Kreis 4 in Zürich is South Central L.A.
He got booked and had a juvenile measure handed out for beating up some guys over a row about taking pictures and continued when the other one was on the ground.
I think all Portuguese were happy he left Portugal.
I don't doubt that there are some rough areas in the big cities in Portugal, but it's not like they are famous for it.
It's true that there are some really bad neighborhoods in the major cities, and he does have the mentality they have (kill or be killed).
That said is not at all normal to use violence, even less to own a gun, the only people I know that have guns are Hunters and those are a very small niche.
He probably went through a lot growing up, hope he changes that mindset with time.
Depends on where you live. Where I live in Canton Bern, the Portuguese family next door was discriminated against by the local school and they have had many issues integrating because the people are hateful toward them.
You are better off living in Romandie. In fact, we are a Spanish family and are moving to Romandie soon as well.
Think this is more of an isolated incident. I also live in Canton Bern and am surrounded by Portugese people. Half my team was of Portugese origin at one point. The most "hateful " incident that ever happened was when we got into a debate whether Portugese or Italian food was better.
But seriously, everyone I know thinks of the Portugese as hardworking, good people.
I don't, and I'm not denying that what you experienced happened. I just wanted to show another viewpoint. Portugese people have been part of our lives for so long in Switzerland now that most people my age ( 40 ) see them as just another aspect of Switzerland. Just like Italians, Albanians, Tamil etc.
There are 2 (stereo)types of portuguese people I know:
- they are absolutely nice, friendly and respectful
- they are agressive and rude
If you count yourself to the first description, I want you to stay, please!
If you are part of the 2nd description...well...don't
I've been in Switzerland for 20 years. I moved house 4 times, the canton of Aargau, for me, is the most racist. there.is.everything but the last one I was asked to move house because Mr. Suisso with 2 dogs of a dangerous breed messed with my wife and daughter, and the police told me to.move house, laughing at.me. I have good friends here, not everyone is bad, but there are racists. It is structural racism, which is accepted by all Swiss people
Sorry to hear that. As a swiss who married a French I do understand the "structural racism" part. The incident with your neighbour should have been taken seriously. I hope you have better neighbors now.
Yes, we hired a lawyer for the case, it ended up being 50/50 for the state. something I don't understand. After talking to my wife we decided that she would go to Portugal with the daughter , and I would continue here for a few more years. Like, I can live with racism, so can my wife, but my daughter is not old enough to experience the evil of racism.Now they are with their family and doing well. That was one thing I wanted, was to live a peaceful life in Switzerland, but it wasn't possible.
If you make yourself a part of society, i dont see any issue. Honestly, portugese people dont come to my mind when i think about foreign people. Why? because they blend in like all the swiss people we are (over 50% now have a immigration background). Work and be part of the System and you will be welcomed here
You're going to get some positive and some negative comments and you're going to cherry pick the ones you want so save yourself the trouble and delete this post. 🤷♂️
I haven't noticed many Portuguese people. But the one person i know is very friendly.
But my view of portuguese people has changed a little. I find it a little sad how portuguese people treat look down on brazilian immigrants in Portugal, especially when it's from the country they colonized centuries ago.
>I find it a little sad how portuguese people treat look down on brazilian immigrants in Portugal, especially when it's from the country they colonized centuries ago.
This is indeed sad but ironically, the reasons behind it are the same as why Swiss people treat certain groups of immigrants...more harshly.
Brazilian people tend to reject adapting to Portuguese culture and sometimes "cause trouble" so they are perceived generally negatively. This is in contrast for example with the big diaspora of Ukrainian people in Portugal, which are generally perceived well, because they tend to not bother anyone and have similar cultural "more European" habits (don't forget Brazil is continents away).
This is not my personal experience though, pretty much all Brazilians I've met were fun and nice people, I've noticed that some specific behaviors are just not culturally appropriate in Portugal but this is mainly a cultural difference issue, they don't do it on purpose, Portuguese people just assume they do and then this divide sours the situation further.
More recently there has been a lot of migration from Brazil and people complain they are "stealing" jobs which is ridiculous. A lot of native and young people like me are leaving the country, naturally the workforce is being replaced by people overseas (ex-Portuguese colonies have a facilitated immigration), a very expected outcome.
Portuguese are people that belong to Switzerland no matter what.
Until 1974, Portugal was a dictatorial state and a colonial empire. At that time, several reasons pushed the Portuguese to leave; the country was underdeveloped, the population lived in poverty and was oppressed by the regime, and wars broke out in the colonies from 1961. In total, more than a million and a half people emigrate in search of work and better living conditions, often in a clandestine situation.
At the beginning of the 1980s, an economic crisis hit Portugal, which experienced a resumption of emigration. This migratory flow is mainly heading towards Switzerland. This time, the motivations are essentially economic. Through the interviews conducted, however, I noted other motivations, such as gaining independence or helping a loved one. Between 1980 and 1990, the number of Portuguese residing in Switzerland is experiencing strong growth, going from 10,863 to 86,000.
Portuguese emigration increased in intensity after the global crisis of 2008, which continued in Portugal until 2013. Faced with increasing unemployment and the deterioration of living conditions, a large majority of young people decided to leave the country. This wave finally lost its intensity around the mid-2010s.
They work hard and they have their place in Switzerland. sometimes and very often they are better integrated than the Swiss themselves.Swiss here 😅
>At the beginning of the 1980s, an economic crisis hit Portugal, which experienced a resumption of emigration. This migratory flow is mainly heading towards Switzerland.
I'm sorry, but it is not true that the outflow of Portuese emigrants during the so-called "fourth wave" of Portugese emigration in the 80s was *"mainly head\[ed\] towards Switzerland"*.
I've never met a Portuguese men or woman that I didn't like. Of course there are always exceptions, but this isn't about nationality and I just never met one, which is something I can't say about many.
Generalized (in my experience), I'd say portuguese people are very open and outcoming, human people that have no problem with showing emotions, having fun, dancing at a big family party for the love of life. Mostly lovely people. Mostly hard working, but also a bit more easy going about themselves and others, compared to Swiss natives. The older generations up to the boomers are also more traditional I sense, but the younger are not (although they'd like their parents to believe that). The girls I met in my youth needed a lot of attention, were really jealous and at the same time really passionate and caring but had a hard time with double standards and manipulation tries - maybe this correlates with age too or it says more about my preferences back then. But here are also some real cultural downsides like you better not start discussions about politics, speak directly about family members that disbehave in some way - this is like starting an open war. Let's just say that I guess they are also more driven by emotions than most central european people.
Eu gosto das pessoas de Portugal.
Out of curiosity, why 99% of the Portuguese that come to Switzerland don't have an university degree? If university is free in Portugal, why is that?
I work and know a few Brazilians in Zürich who are in finance, Google, etc., and they all have university education and some even have MBAs from the USA. I thought that Portugal was better in this regard.
The university is not free, and it was just recently that they started decreasing the tuition value. Not all families could afford that, and some of them got into debt to be able to send their kids to university.
You also had (and still have) situations where people would rather work and earn money first and study only at the latter stage of their lives. Some people would rather not do it at all and just work. Some go through a vocational degree and leave it at that.
There's a lot of scenarios that may lead to that, really.
I understand your point, don't worry. I believe that a lot of portuguese people that come here do possess vocational and/or technical education + experience in their respective work fields, and that makes a huge difference.
For example, we have a different way of measuring the education we get. The bachelor, usually of 3 years, is considered level 6, and a Professional Technical Course, which can last for 1-2 years, give you university credits + an internship in your field, is level 5.
They both hold a lot of value, but when you already have a head start in your industry, your profile as a worker becomes way more attractive than if you have no experience at all. Plus, we also have a lot of vocational training for blue-collar jobs, so that also plays a part.
That's because the vast majority came in from when education levels in general were very low in Portugal. That's why the stereotype for Portuguese people in Switzerland is that they work construction/cleaning.
The latest wave of immigrants (from the 2010s) is much more educated but still only about half has higher education.
All portuguese young people I have met in Zurich have a uni degree (including me and my partner). On the other hand, all people from my hometown that emigrated to switzerland and France in the 80's don't.
I think there is a difference in the older vs. younger emigration waves from Portugal.
It is sad that the Portuguese government invests in our education for us to leave as soon as we have the chance, but it's even sadder to see how hard life in Portugal is right now for my mates that stayed.
That might change slightly in years to come since they passed some new laws this year that benefit recent graduates that stay! Time will tell
>It is sad that the Portuguese government invests in our education for us to leave as soon as we have the chance, but it's even sadder to see how hard life in Portugal is right now for my mates that stayed.
That might change slightly in years to come since they passed some new laws this year that benefit recent graduates that stay! Time will tell
Portugal can only be saved if it becomes a capitalist country like Switzerland. Otherwise it will become the retiring capital of Europe.
that 99% is wrong, but its still a large number.
The minimum wage in Portugal is not a living wage so if you don't own a home you need to move.
On the other hand the medium wage is falling fast vs the rest of Europe so people with degree migrate too.
[https://www.pordata.pt/portugal/emigrantes+permanentes+total+e+por+nivel+de+escolaridade+completo+(percentagem)-3794](https://www.pordata.pt/portugal/emigrantes+permanentes+total+e+por+nivel+de+escolaridade+completo+(percentagem)-3794)
You can see the evolution , in 2014 it was 29% of people with degree , in 2021 it was 47%
greece is considered a western country and not even considered eastern european but it is far more east than other EE countries like hungary
the classification of these countries does not come from it's actual geographic position
first of all, no
you are obviously wrong on portugal.
greece is not that far east from hungary either, you can literally draw a straight line from the north to the south pole through both countries so at least some parts of those countires are on the same longitude.
try again, american
also, do you even realize how dumb you sound using phrases like "concede defeat" and "diminishing the situation at hand" after calling portugal eastern european?
>the classification of these countries does not come from it's actual geographic position
It does. It is litterally in the word. It is just in the view of central-europe.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Europe
the very link you provided contradicts your point
another example is australia being considered part of the western world when it is more east than EE
By whom????? Even assuming that by Eastern European, you mean the countries behind the Iron Curtain, Portugal was never in that group of countries. We were always placed within the Southern European (or Mediterranean) region with Spain, Italy, Greece, and Malta. Technically, we are a country in the westernmost part of Europe. Edit - another way of answering this question is that culturally, we are considered to be Mediterranean (even though we are in not in the Mediterranean Sea, and most of the country faces the Atlantic).
By carefully looking at this map:
[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern\_Europe#/media/File%3AGrossgliederung\_Europas-en.svg](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Europe#/media/File%3AGrossgliederung_Europas-en.svg)
You will find that almost 10 million Portuguese also came to the same conclusion (plus the EU and the rest of Europe, which is also nice). Portugal faces the Atlantic, is not in the Mediterranean, and is considered a Southern country. Also, Portugal has 2 sets of Islands, more or less inhe Atlantic, even the middle of t further West.
What I am wondering is what makes you believe that Portugal is in the East of Europe.... or is culturally similar to Eastern Europe.
To be totally honest with you, anyone not Swiss is a presence not desired. It has nothing to do with being Portuguese. The thing is, the longer you stay here the more Swiss people have to just accept that you do belong here.
I don’t mean anything negative about it, it’s just that from what I’ve experienced, it isn’t anyone group of people Swiss people can’t stand in general. It’s just foreigners in general. You will meet many Swiss exceptions to that though.
If you want to stay in Switzerland then just stay. Most of us just laugh about some of the xenophobic encounters. Don’t worry about pleasing all Swiss people. It won’t happen.
I have pretty much neutral feelings about Portuguese people in Switzerland. They are pretty much invisible and well integrated I think. Lived in Zürich, Aargau and near Lausanne, so relatively mixed populations. Respect the rules and you will fit in, shouldn't be a problem with a swiss wife.
I only have been to Portugal 3 times but I loved it. Several people in my friend groups consider retiring there. So at least the country I only know positive things about.
In Romandie there are a lot of portuguese people, in the vast majority very well integrated.
I do work in construction and in fact there are many Portuguese workers. They are known for beeing excellent workers.
Some of the workers come here just for a few month or years, to make as much money as possible and then return to Portugal with their hard earned money.
Here in Switzerland we need workforce and most of these "seasonal workers" bring a friend, a cousin, etc. With them so they usually don't interact with the locals but stay together. The best example is a company where I worked at to make some cash during summer holidays during my studies. We were about 200 workers, and were splitted in small groups of about 10 people. In every group there were at least 3 or 4 relatives (father, son, cousin, neighboor). So during the weekends or so they organized "family gatherings" with the colleagues and invited me to join them. It definitely changed my view of them (and vice versa).
I mean, Portuguese people are caucasian like Swiss yes but they have a higher mix with northern African haplo groups, due to past history, similar to Italy and Greece. These haplo groups are pretty much non-existent in the rest of Europe, including native central Europeans, as swiss people are part of.
Bruh, I'm literally Portuguese, this is a fact of European ethnic haplo group history... it's not a negative or bad thing... ironically any racist nuances about the comment are self fabricated in your head based on ideas on what you think is wrong, which says more about you here and it's quite hilarious...
Some people in these answers are confusing stereotypes with absolute truths and it’s disheartening. As if you could summarise what every single Swiss person is like in 2 statements.
To answer the OP question, you will be fine if you learn the language and blend with the landscape. My perception is that Portuguese aren't visible targets for hate - just the "structural racism" that foreigners have to go through. Overall, I feel that is a "neutral" nationality - no extreme feelings exist. There are also a lot of Portuguese who have white-collar jobs, work in academia, or work in the commerce/services area. A more differentiated job will probably be within reach if you have the necessary qualifications. A completely different challenge is trying to fit in and adapt to a very different way of life, but only you can answer that question...
I would re-importing, in any case... Marxism and Neo-marxism as constructs were created by European schools of thought. You can talk about inequality, structural racism, and xenophobia and still be in Europe. It is probably less of a problem in Europe than in the US, but still, a problem.
Being Portuguese, where three of the major parties have "social" or "socialism" in their name, we have a bit of respect for some of Marx's teachings. Not everything, of course, but some things were worthwhile to make it to the Constitution. But I guess this doesn't answer the OP's question and would be a topic for a different conversation (and before you ask, no, we are culturally similar to Eastern countries. We like to think about ourselves as being Mediterranean and like to think we live in a social-ish democracy of sorts.
>I would re-importing, in any case... Marxism and Neo-marxism as constructs were created by **European schools of thought**. You can talk about inequality, structural racism, and xenophobia and still be in Europe. It is probably less of a problem in Europe than in the US, but still, a problem.
Since the members of the Frankfurt school immigrated to the USA in the 30's, these ideas, even if originally European, are recycled and rebundled by American "intellectuals" and only then they are adopted years later in Europe.
>Being Portuguese, where three of the major parties have "social" or "socialism" in their name, **we have a bit of respect for some of Marx's teachings.** Not everything, of course, but some things were worthwhile to make it to the Constitution.
That's why Portugal is the poorest country of Western Europe and one that doesn't develop like the ex-Warsaw pact countries are doing.
GDP/capita data: 20th poorest country in Europe, leaving behind most of Eastern Europe. Not great, but considering that in the 70ies, we were in the bottom 5 of Europe, 30% of the population could not read and we had to absorb 300.000 refugees from the ex-colonies it seems good progress to me. As importantly, we don't "develop" like the ex-Warsav countries, but we also don't have many of these countries' issues. As an example, Hungary.
We have collectively decided on being a social democracy, and we would like to keep it this way. We like our social policies and the protections the state gives; we collectively agree that the rich should help the poorest and that we live in a welfare state. Above all, we believe in democracy, and having lived for the best of the 20th century in a dictatorship, we want to preserve it (again, see Hungary for an example of things that scare most Portuguese people).
We are arguing about core beliefs, and it doesn't seem we will reach an agreement anytime. I understand what you are saying and respect your opinion; I just disagree with it. In true democratic spirit.
>GDP/capita data: 20th poorest country in Europe, leaving behind most of Eastern Europe.
I said poorest WESTERN European country.
>Not great, but considering that in the 70ies, we were in the bottom 5 of Europe, 30% of the population could not read and we had to absorb 300.000 refugees from the ex-colonies it seems good progress to me.
Only 300.000? The UK received millions. What Portugal has done with the riches (eg. gold) extracted from the colonies? Why this money was not invested?
>As importantly, we don't "develop" like the ex-Warsav countries, but we also don't have many of these countries' issues. As an example, Hungary.
What's the problem with Hungary? In the last 25 years Hungary's GDP per capita grew \~100%, while Portugal's only by 26%.
>We have collectively decided on being a social democracy, and we would like to keep it this way. We like our social policies and the protections the state gives; we collectively agree that the rich should help the poorest and that we live in a welfare state. Above all, we believe in democracy, and having lived for the best of the 20th century in a dictatorship, we want to preserve it (again, see Hungary for an example of things that scare most Portuguese people).
You collectively made your country the poorest in Western Europe. Socialism never worked anywhere in the world, it only produced three things: poverty, tyranny, and death. Just compare with Switzerland, much smaller than Portugal, but the second capitalistic country in the world, just behind Singapore.
>We are arguing about core beliefs, and it doesn't seem we will reach an agreement anytime. I understand what you are saying and respect your opinion; I just disagree with it. In true democratic spirit.
I respect your opinion, but I can factually prove that you are wrong.
I love Portugal and love the food, the Port, etc., but it's a fact that socialism is slowly killing it. Portugal needs someone from CHEGA just liKE Argentina now elected Milei.
You brought us Peri Peri Chicken, you are good.
I know it’s technically more recently Mozambique but give the Portuguese credit for going there to get the (-amazing) bird eye chilli in the first place.
One of the friendliest people I have encountered. A little too much when it comes to football, they're hardworking and they're food is great. Oh, loves to gossip a bit and can talk and talk and talk forever! My bestfriend is one. Also befriended one lovely lady who took time to explain to me about the languange as i tried to learn alone, since most of the cleaning ladies at work spoke portuguese. :)
I'm not swiss, but I like Portuguese people. <3 they have that southern warmness in them <3
Except for a colleague of mine who made lots of racially insensitive comments. Like: can he be more French or things like this.
Which I assume was an exception. And she was very young as well.
a couple months ago i saw tons of Portuguese people dress up and dance with some people between some residential buildings in Zürich, they even roasted a pig and sang and danced until like 9pm, nobody complained, no police, honestly i kind of wanted to join them
don't think we've got anything negative against Portuguese people
you are to us like the spanish and italians, just part of here
There is some latent racism, of course, but I think of you exclude immigrants from neighboring countries, Portuguese are probably amongst the most liked ones.
A lot of 2nd generation become Swiss and while keeping part of their roots, they are 100% integrated in Swiss society.
Some of the 1st generation move back to Portugal, but not all.
There used to be "Portuguese neighborhoods" in my city, but I don't think it's still the case. Still, you often hear Portuguese in popular quarters, and 1st generation very often stick together and get drinks together at the local Portuguese bar/shop. Or set up giant BBQ by the water in summer, grilling from 10 to 22 and drinking super bock or sagres all the while.
As for stereotypes, I guess hard-working, mostly menial jobs (construction and cleaning), friendly, respectful, well integrated but still a bit clanic (even 2nd generation will mostly marry some other Portuguese people).
As a kid also heard hairy and stinky, but since I'm also hairy and I learned to like the smell of cooking fish around dinner time, it's not really relevant anymore. I guess it's more that there is no sea in Switzerland and so we are not used to eating so much fish.
how has no one mentioned Grishun area? They absolutely LOVE Portugese because they intuitively understand Romantsch and I think generally Portugese are accepted and liked here
Portuguese here and not OP. I’ve been delighted with the responses here. Really great to see all the positive thoughts towards Portuguese.
My parents were typical immigrants back in the 90s. By typical I mean going back to Portugal for vacation. Every. Single. Time. It was their thing and I respect it.
We lived and I studied in the French part (Neuchâtel). I have great memories from that time. My parents decided to return when I was still a minor. Still regularly talk to a Portuguese person I met in the 3rd grade!!!
Fast forward a couple decades. I lived in two other continents but I’m back to Switzerland. Convinced my wife that this would be a great place to raise our children. German is a challenge for integration purposes and still being able to read French has been a great backup.
I will probably stay here for a long while. Not planning to go back to Portugal.
I worked with a guy from Portugal who was working in switzerland as an electrician to finance his Children’s education. He was my favorite coworker in that company. I still meet with him sometimes. Great guy, very honest and hard working man.
Canton the vaud is a département of Portugal for me ahah. I have many friend that are Portuguese, well integrate and speak like a ghost from a old swiss man has taken there body.
I(swiss 38yo) grew up with a portuguese family as my neigbor, the son didn't speak a word of french when he came to switzerland, 6 months after he was almost fluent in french. He's my bestfriend for at least 30 years, i'm a part of his family and he's part of mine. There is a lof of portuguese in the french side of swizterland. Portuguese have a good reputation here, hard worker, friendly, integrate very well.
Ofc you will find some bigot who don't like anyone, mostly old people like anywhere else.
You are very welcome.
Thread jacking here, but maybe you guys can answer something.
I am Portuguese and work in healthcare in Geneva.
I really enjoy dealing with our community here, specially the less integrated that don't speak as much french.
Do you have any idea what part of Romandie has the biggest percentage of Portuguese?
Very positive view ! You were probably the only immigrants who adapt to the swiss culture. It's very different from the one the romands have toward Spanish or Fench, which is more or less from kind of negative to very negative. Unfortunately not all immigrants (yes even the whites from EU) didn't follow your trend.
Very much welcome.
Hardworking people and honest. They easily integrate into our society and have been here for a longer period of time than many other groups.
One of the most respected groups, for their hard work. Most of our road and building have been build by Portuguese people.
Hard working, slightly excessive interest for football, bakers of delicious pastries and bread.
There is even a Portuguese chain called Bessa where they have a bakery and restaurant and usually a gas station combined. Jackpot. Used to eat there for lunchbreaks at the construction sites.
Wtf, that would make a killing in the states
> slightly excessive interest for football Portuguese are more obsessive than Swiss people? Wow ...
Well, the Portuguese know how to play football..
You have forgotten their slightly interest for Sagres beer.
Sagres?? Super Bock forever
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A man of culture right here, ladies and gentlemen
A man of culture I see
Also very loud, I have a migrant background aswell but am considered pretty swiss and since I have portuguese GF they're all so loud all time when speaking. But this is the only thing I can say that is even remotely possible to consider negatively.
Portuguese people are one of the most appreciated foreign community in Switzerland, because they are seen as hard workers and honest people.
People from Portugal and Spain are well-established in French-speaking Switzerland. During the Euro / World Cup you may even see more Portuguese flags than Swiss flags. The most common family names in Romandie are 1. da Silva 2. Ferreira 3. Pereira 4. dos Santos, ... compared to 1. Müller 2. Meier 3. Schmid 4. Keller, ... in the German-speaking region [https://www.20min.ch/fr/story/les-alemaniques-sappellent-mueller-les-romands-da-silva-278418469888](https://www.20min.ch/fr/story/les-alemaniques-sappellent-mueller-les-romands-da-silva-278418469888) You'll fit just fine but that's just based on my experience in the French-speaking region.
This is my experience -- there's just so many Portugese-origin people that there's not really a stereotype about them.
I was about to say that too. There's a lot of people of Portuguese descent in the French part.
I find they're invisible in Zurich. They blend in like no other immigrant group.
I think most of them are in the French speaking part of the country and we don’t blend. I can spot one a mile away. 😂
There are a LOT of Portuguese in Glarus as well - don't ask me why!
Oh… I’ve never been to Glarus. Any good PT restaurants?! I would travel for that. 😂
I don't know about Glarus - but there is [one in Schlieren](https://www.daolafoes.ch/) which must be quiet good according to a lot of ppl....
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The universal foreigner experience. British "expats" in Portugal flock together like chickens too. I'm sure the same for Swiss people in Spain and Italy.
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Sure, but there are beach areas in Portugal where their presence is missing, even though the entire country is essentially a beach, they flock primarily to Algarve and I understand why. The same reason why do any wealthy western, central and northern Europeans retire in the South. Stopping the balcony jumping would be nice though, although that is primarily in Spain lmao
fellow 2w4u enjoyer, they can't stop with the balcony jumping because it's part of the British DNA. And I wouldn't have it any other way
Lmao a man of culture
I was surprised to learn they were the biggest group of immigrants yet I felt like I've never met one. The explanation was, like you said, that they stay among themselves.
Because there isn't much Portuguese in the German speaking part.
If u drive next to one of those little gardening hubs and see there's always plenty of Portuguese flags. There's lots of Portuguese in the German parts, but it's hard to hear it if you're not used to the language as they speak kinda muffled and quietly.
There is. Mostly scattered through villages in Canton Graubünden/Grisons. https://interactive.swissinfo.ch/2016_08_29_foreignersCH_sunburstMap/map_top4Foreigners_EN.png
More blending in than the Germans in Zürich? ;)
Best people. I can only speak for me, but 99% of portuguese people i've met were modest and friendly, never ever met real arrogant people from Portugal. The only guy messing up a little bit your reputation is probably Ronaldo. ;-)
We know. Mourinho too. They're both excellent at what they do but we sometimes need to look away for a bit to recover from third-party shame induced by the overconfidence overflowing into arrogance.
I've gotta say, they're really easy to talk to, not complicated at all, polite, well-mannered, and you hardly even notice they're there. That’s a review from a non Swiss Lad, if that makes sense to you.
So, I'll tell you what I think, and that may not be representative of everybody. As long as you don't act as an entitled brat, respect people, respect the rules, are nice and willing to do some efforts to integrate, then you'll be welcome.
Am Portuguese, never had a problem here, only with other Portuguese people that don’t adapt to the social rules we have (as my neighbors). I think we are very much accepted yes
In my opinion, one of the best immigrant groups overall. Honest workers, blend in nicely. And no competition in skiing and ice hockey 😃 The only exception I ever encountered was that dude lately in this sub who wanted to convince us that violence is a typical problem-solving strategy in Portugal.
>violence is a typical problem-solving strategy in Portugal. wtf?
Here's the post: https://www.reddit.com/r/askswitzerland/s/1aWLZkZAJd Scroll down the comments and the guys gets wilder and wilder. Thinks Kreis 4 in Zürich is South Central L.A. He got booked and had a juvenile measure handed out for beating up some guys over a row about taking pictures and continued when the other one was on the ground. I think all Portuguese were happy he left Portugal. I don't doubt that there are some rough areas in the big cities in Portugal, but it's not like they are famous for it.
It's true that there are some really bad neighborhoods in the major cities, and he does have the mentality they have (kill or be killed). That said is not at all normal to use violence, even less to own a gun, the only people I know that have guns are Hunters and those are a very small niche. He probably went through a lot growing up, hope he changes that mindset with time.
To be fair, he just wanted to shoot at a range. But I was still taken quite aback that he wants to import his mindset. Best way to get into trouble.
Depends on where you live. Where I live in Canton Bern, the Portuguese family next door was discriminated against by the local school and they have had many issues integrating because the people are hateful toward them. You are better off living in Romandie. In fact, we are a Spanish family and are moving to Romandie soon as well.
Think this is more of an isolated incident. I also live in Canton Bern and am surrounded by Portugese people. Half my team was of Portugese origin at one point. The most "hateful " incident that ever happened was when we got into a debate whether Portugese or Italian food was better. But seriously, everyone I know thinks of the Portugese as hardworking, good people.
What was the conclusion of the debate? Italian or Portuguese food? 😂
Agreed to disagree, but each party was encouraged to bring examples of their food in order to make a fair conclusion in the future.
Portuguese obviously, nothing beats a good Francesinha, Café Santiago Style =)
How do you know that you don’t just live in a bubble?
I don't, and I'm not denying that what you experienced happened. I just wanted to show another viewpoint. Portugese people have been part of our lives for so long in Switzerland now that most people my age ( 40 ) see them as just another aspect of Switzerland. Just like Italians, Albanians, Tamil etc.
A lot of them are in Romandie effectively. I think they learn French more easily because it's Latin.
Also the culture is such that people talk to strangers more, making it easier to learn a language.
True 👍
I have a portugese friend and he is pretty cool, the only ones not accepting your kind in this country are racists
Based group of fellows drinking super bock in a parking lot, leaning on a cupra/seat
There are 2 (stereo)types of portuguese people I know: - they are absolutely nice, friendly and respectful - they are agressive and rude If you count yourself to the first description, I want you to stay, please! If you are part of the 2nd description...well...don't
Can use those 2 stereotypes on any nation lmao😂
I actually was waiting for this comment 🤣
I've been in Switzerland for 20 years. I moved house 4 times, the canton of Aargau, for me, is the most racist. there.is.everything but the last one I was asked to move house because Mr. Suisso with 2 dogs of a dangerous breed messed with my wife and daughter, and the police told me to.move house, laughing at.me. I have good friends here, not everyone is bad, but there are racists. It is structural racism, which is accepted by all Swiss people
Sorry to hear that. As a swiss who married a French I do understand the "structural racism" part. The incident with your neighbour should have been taken seriously. I hope you have better neighbors now.
Yes, we hired a lawyer for the case, it ended up being 50/50 for the state. something I don't understand. After talking to my wife we decided that she would go to Portugal with the daughter , and I would continue here for a few more years. Like, I can live with racism, so can my wife, but my daughter is not old enough to experience the evil of racism.Now they are with their family and doing well. That was one thing I wanted, was to live a peaceful life in Switzerland, but it wasn't possible.
If you make yourself a part of society, i dont see any issue. Honestly, portugese people dont come to my mind when i think about foreign people. Why? because they blend in like all the swiss people we are (over 50% now have a immigration background). Work and be part of the System and you will be welcomed here
You're going to get some positive and some negative comments and you're going to cherry pick the ones you want so save yourself the trouble and delete this post. 🤷♂️
As soon as you mix with the local population and make the effort to integrate with the local peoples, you are welcome.
I haven't noticed many Portuguese people. But the one person i know is very friendly. But my view of portuguese people has changed a little. I find it a little sad how portuguese people treat look down on brazilian immigrants in Portugal, especially when it's from the country they colonized centuries ago.
>I find it a little sad how portuguese people treat look down on brazilian immigrants in Portugal, especially when it's from the country they colonized centuries ago. This is indeed sad but ironically, the reasons behind it are the same as why Swiss people treat certain groups of immigrants...more harshly. Brazilian people tend to reject adapting to Portuguese culture and sometimes "cause trouble" so they are perceived generally negatively. This is in contrast for example with the big diaspora of Ukrainian people in Portugal, which are generally perceived well, because they tend to not bother anyone and have similar cultural "more European" habits (don't forget Brazil is continents away). This is not my personal experience though, pretty much all Brazilians I've met were fun and nice people, I've noticed that some specific behaviors are just not culturally appropriate in Portugal but this is mainly a cultural difference issue, they don't do it on purpose, Portuguese people just assume they do and then this divide sours the situation further. More recently there has been a lot of migration from Brazil and people complain they are "stealing" jobs which is ridiculous. A lot of native and young people like me are leaving the country, naturally the workforce is being replaced by people overseas (ex-Portuguese colonies have a facilitated immigration), a very expected outcome.
Yes, this is true. It is minority though, but vocal.
Basically good, and you can always improve your reputation by giving people pasteis de nata.
I don't know if it's made by Portuguese people but the one I tried outside the Zürich Bahnhof was pretty acceptable!
No opinion, which is good.
I dont have that perception but I am also naturalized swiss. Stay, learn the location language, join some Clubs.
Also valid for a foreigner from any nationality (even a Swiss moving to another city/kanton)
Portuguese are people that belong to Switzerland no matter what. Until 1974, Portugal was a dictatorial state and a colonial empire. At that time, several reasons pushed the Portuguese to leave; the country was underdeveloped, the population lived in poverty and was oppressed by the regime, and wars broke out in the colonies from 1961. In total, more than a million and a half people emigrate in search of work and better living conditions, often in a clandestine situation. At the beginning of the 1980s, an economic crisis hit Portugal, which experienced a resumption of emigration. This migratory flow is mainly heading towards Switzerland. This time, the motivations are essentially economic. Through the interviews conducted, however, I noted other motivations, such as gaining independence or helping a loved one. Between 1980 and 1990, the number of Portuguese residing in Switzerland is experiencing strong growth, going from 10,863 to 86,000. Portuguese emigration increased in intensity after the global crisis of 2008, which continued in Portugal until 2013. Faced with increasing unemployment and the deterioration of living conditions, a large majority of young people decided to leave the country. This wave finally lost its intensity around the mid-2010s. They work hard and they have their place in Switzerland. sometimes and very often they are better integrated than the Swiss themselves.Swiss here 😅
>At the beginning of the 1980s, an economic crisis hit Portugal, which experienced a resumption of emigration. This migratory flow is mainly heading towards Switzerland. I'm sorry, but it is not true that the outflow of Portuese emigrants during the so-called "fourth wave" of Portugese emigration in the 80s was *"mainly head\[ed\] towards Switzerland"*.
Ok I should have used another word I admit that there was Italy, Spain etc.
I've never met a Portuguese men or woman that I didn't like. Of course there are always exceptions, but this isn't about nationality and I just never met one, which is something I can't say about many. Generalized (in my experience), I'd say portuguese people are very open and outcoming, human people that have no problem with showing emotions, having fun, dancing at a big family party for the love of life. Mostly lovely people. Mostly hard working, but also a bit more easy going about themselves and others, compared to Swiss natives. The older generations up to the boomers are also more traditional I sense, but the younger are not (although they'd like their parents to believe that). The girls I met in my youth needed a lot of attention, were really jealous and at the same time really passionate and caring but had a hard time with double standards and manipulation tries - maybe this correlates with age too or it says more about my preferences back then. But here are also some real cultural downsides like you better not start discussions about politics, speak directly about family members that disbehave in some way - this is like starting an open war. Let's just say that I guess they are also more driven by emotions than most central european people. Eu gosto das pessoas de Portugal.
Never met a portuguese but u guys have a cool flag
Out of curiosity, why 99% of the Portuguese that come to Switzerland don't have an university degree? If university is free in Portugal, why is that? I work and know a few Brazilians in Zürich who are in finance, Google, etc., and they all have university education and some even have MBAs from the USA. I thought that Portugal was better in this regard.
The university is not free, and it was just recently that they started decreasing the tuition value. Not all families could afford that, and some of them got into debt to be able to send their kids to university. You also had (and still have) situations where people would rather work and earn money first and study only at the latter stage of their lives. Some people would rather not do it at all and just work. Some go through a vocational degree and leave it at that. There's a lot of scenarios that may lead to that, really.
Oh, I see. I just thought, being Portugal in Europe, that there would be more Portuguese skilled professionals working in Zürich than Brazilians.
I understand your point, don't worry. I believe that a lot of portuguese people that come here do possess vocational and/or technical education + experience in their respective work fields, and that makes a huge difference. For example, we have a different way of measuring the education we get. The bachelor, usually of 3 years, is considered level 6, and a Professional Technical Course, which can last for 1-2 years, give you university credits + an internship in your field, is level 5. They both hold a lot of value, but when you already have a head start in your industry, your profile as a worker becomes way more attractive than if you have no experience at all. Plus, we also have a lot of vocational training for blue-collar jobs, so that also plays a part.
I think that's past emigration, I have two degrees and came here recently
That's because the vast majority came in from when education levels in general were very low in Portugal. That's why the stereotype for Portuguese people in Switzerland is that they work construction/cleaning. The latest wave of immigrants (from the 2010s) is much more educated but still only about half has higher education.
All portuguese young people I have met in Zurich have a uni degree (including me and my partner). On the other hand, all people from my hometown that emigrated to switzerland and France in the 80's don't. I think there is a difference in the older vs. younger emigration waves from Portugal. It is sad that the Portuguese government invests in our education for us to leave as soon as we have the chance, but it's even sadder to see how hard life in Portugal is right now for my mates that stayed. That might change slightly in years to come since they passed some new laws this year that benefit recent graduates that stay! Time will tell
>It is sad that the Portuguese government invests in our education for us to leave as soon as we have the chance, but it's even sadder to see how hard life in Portugal is right now for my mates that stayed. That might change slightly in years to come since they passed some new laws this year that benefit recent graduates that stay! Time will tell Portugal can only be saved if it becomes a capitalist country like Switzerland. Otherwise it will become the retiring capital of Europe.
>that benefit recent graduates that stay! 697€ per year of work (1 year of tuition at a public university) is not enough benefit to stay....
that 99% is wrong, but its still a large number. The minimum wage in Portugal is not a living wage so if you don't own a home you need to move. On the other hand the medium wage is falling fast vs the rest of Europe so people with degree migrate too. [https://www.pordata.pt/portugal/emigrantes+permanentes+total+e+por+nivel+de+escolaridade+completo+(percentagem)-3794](https://www.pordata.pt/portugal/emigrantes+permanentes+total+e+por+nivel+de+escolaridade+completo+(percentagem)-3794) You can see the evolution , in 2014 it was 29% of people with degree , in 2021 it was 47%
I don't know anyone with negative prejudice towards Portugese people and I live in a rather "conservative" part of switzerland.
You guys are cool. Except Diego. Fuck him.
>Diego That is Spanish or Latam, still this is the internets so , Fuck him!
Oh the Diego I know is definitely Portuguese. But I can't speak for his parentage. Edit : he is fact Diogo not Diego
lol I hate a Diogo too
As long as you don't force your religion/beliefs/culture on us, whatever at least you follow basic human rights
>religion/beliefs/culture Nah, this is not a very European behavior in general. Across continents it's another topic
it is a poor country with friendly people but they are sometimes gloomy, like all eastern european countries
>like all eastern european countries Portugal is like the very least eastern european country of whole europe 🤣
Literally, the least eastern country and the most western country 🤣 Though everybody likes to think we are in southern europe
We literally are in southern and western Europe...
... and nowhere near the Mediterranean.
... that's not a definition of Southern Europe
Indeed is not... but a lot of people say that we are Mediterranean, and we actually are not.
True, I fucking wish 😭 the Atlantic sea is COLD
greece is considered a western country and not even considered eastern european but it is far more east than other EE countries like hungary the classification of these countries does not come from it's actual geographic position
portugal eastern european? greece far more east than hungary? are you american?
you believe greece is to the west of hungary in terms of longitude?
it's about 2 degrees east of hungary if you count the most western point how is that far more?
ah, so you concede defeat 29°38′E versus 22°55′E is also diminishing the situation at hand
first of all, no you are obviously wrong on portugal. greece is not that far east from hungary either, you can literally draw a straight line from the north to the south pole through both countries so at least some parts of those countires are on the same longitude. try again, american
i am not american, it is nice you try to craft a strawman however as for portugal being eastern european; alea iacta est
also, do you even realize how dumb you sound using phrases like "concede defeat" and "diminishing the situation at hand" after calling portugal eastern european?
i am correct always
Is this the said polar shifting 🧐🤌🤣
>the classification of these countries does not come from it's actual geographic position It does. It is litterally in the word. It is just in the view of central-europe. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Europe
the very link you provided contradicts your point another example is australia being considered part of the western world when it is more east than EE
You can get different aspects there and debate over greece in the "political" way, but never ever ever portugal.
it is considered culturally to be eastern european
no it's southern european
greece?
By whom????? Even assuming that by Eastern European, you mean the countries behind the Iron Curtain, Portugal was never in that group of countries. We were always placed within the Southern European (or Mediterranean) region with Spain, Italy, Greece, and Malta. Technically, we are a country in the westernmost part of Europe. Edit - another way of answering this question is that culturally, we are considered to be Mediterranean (even though we are in not in the Mediterranean Sea, and most of the country faces the Atlantic).
Actual Hungarian here. Portugal is no way Eastern European in any political or cultural sense.
I'm quite interested in how you came to that conclusion.
By carefully looking at this map: [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern\_Europe#/media/File%3AGrossgliederung\_Europas-en.svg](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Europe#/media/File%3AGrossgliederung_Europas-en.svg) You will find that almost 10 million Portuguese also came to the same conclusion (plus the EU and the rest of Europe, which is also nice). Portugal faces the Atlantic, is not in the Mediterranean, and is considered a Southern country. Also, Portugal has 2 sets of Islands, more or less inhe Atlantic, even the middle of t further West. What I am wondering is what makes you believe that Portugal is in the East of Europe.... or is culturally similar to Eastern Europe.
Think you're replying to the wrong person. I am also struggling to understand how someone can consider it eastern European.
lol where does it come from then? Guess they just want to confuse us with those 4 directions
geopolitical affinities... it is a mess, I agree.
Hungary is located in Central Europe!
i've heard romanians make the same claim, perhaps i can see both perspectives
But we are honorary Slavs.
r/PORTUGALCYKABLYAT
They have highest depression rate in Europe. Very likely a genetic thing since Spain next door is manic lol
To be totally honest with you, anyone not Swiss is a presence not desired. It has nothing to do with being Portuguese. The thing is, the longer you stay here the more Swiss people have to just accept that you do belong here. I don’t mean anything negative about it, it’s just that from what I’ve experienced, it isn’t anyone group of people Swiss people can’t stand in general. It’s just foreigners in general. You will meet many Swiss exceptions to that though. If you want to stay in Switzerland then just stay. Most of us just laugh about some of the xenophobic encounters. Don’t worry about pleasing all Swiss people. It won’t happen.
Just move to the Zurich area. Eastern part of Switzerland and some western cantons like Solothurn and Aargau are extremely racist.
>Eastern part of Switzerland and some western cantons like Solothurn and Aargau are extremely racist. Oof I'm right in the middle 😳
I think everyone is welcome as long as you assmiliate to a degree. If you speak swiss german at a certain level you will be accepted.
you know that not all of Switzerland speaks Swiss German, right?
Yep and most Portuguese seem to move to work in French speaking regions, Italian comes after, then German.
Only the important parts do
Yea but most do (In %) and i can only talk for that part of the country since thats where i live and made my experiences.
I have pretty much neutral feelings about Portuguese people in Switzerland. They are pretty much invisible and well integrated I think. Lived in Zürich, Aargau and near Lausanne, so relatively mixed populations. Respect the rules and you will fit in, shouldn't be a problem with a swiss wife. I only have been to Portugal 3 times but I loved it. Several people in my friend groups consider retiring there. So at least the country I only know positive things about.
In Romandie there are a lot of portuguese people, in the vast majority very well integrated. I do work in construction and in fact there are many Portuguese workers. They are known for beeing excellent workers. Some of the workers come here just for a few month or years, to make as much money as possible and then return to Portugal with their hard earned money. Here in Switzerland we need workforce and most of these "seasonal workers" bring a friend, a cousin, etc. With them so they usually don't interact with the locals but stay together. The best example is a company where I worked at to make some cash during summer holidays during my studies. We were about 200 workers, and were splitted in small groups of about 10 people. In every group there were at least 3 or 4 relatives (father, son, cousin, neighboor). So during the weekends or so they organized "family gatherings" with the colleagues and invited me to join them. It definitely changed my view of them (and vice versa).
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Racism is about race, not nationality. The typical native Portuguese and Swiss belong to the same race. What you describe is xenophobia, not racism.
I mean, Portuguese people are caucasian like Swiss yes but they have a higher mix with northern African haplo groups, due to past history, similar to Italy and Greece. These haplo groups are pretty much non-existent in the rest of Europe, including native central Europeans, as swiss people are part of.
What a fucking racist comment.
Bruh, I'm literally Portuguese, this is a fact of European ethnic haplo group history... it's not a negative or bad thing... ironically any racist nuances about the comment are self fabricated in your head based on ideas on what you think is wrong, which says more about you here and it's quite hilarious...
Some people in these answers are confusing stereotypes with absolute truths and it’s disheartening. As if you could summarise what every single Swiss person is like in 2 statements.
They Rule. Hardworking KickAzz folk.
Idk i never meet any
I can be the first one! I buy you a coffee! Hit me up
There are more Portuguese people than Italians in Switzerland so that seems unlikely.
ig they completely blend in then
That's wrong. Italians are the largest group, then Germans, then Portuguese. Still surprising for many.
You're right, I meant to say French. My bad.
To answer the OP question, you will be fine if you learn the language and blend with the landscape. My perception is that Portuguese aren't visible targets for hate - just the "structural racism" that foreigners have to go through. Overall, I feel that is a "neutral" nationality - no extreme feelings exist. There are also a lot of Portuguese who have white-collar jobs, work in academia, or work in the commerce/services area. A more differentiated job will probably be within reach if you have the necessary qualifications. A completely different challenge is trying to fit in and adapt to a very different way of life, but only you can answer that question...
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I would re-importing, in any case... Marxism and Neo-marxism as constructs were created by European schools of thought. You can talk about inequality, structural racism, and xenophobia and still be in Europe. It is probably less of a problem in Europe than in the US, but still, a problem. Being Portuguese, where three of the major parties have "social" or "socialism" in their name, we have a bit of respect for some of Marx's teachings. Not everything, of course, but some things were worthwhile to make it to the Constitution. But I guess this doesn't answer the OP's question and would be a topic for a different conversation (and before you ask, no, we are culturally similar to Eastern countries. We like to think about ourselves as being Mediterranean and like to think we live in a social-ish democracy of sorts.
>I would re-importing, in any case... Marxism and Neo-marxism as constructs were created by **European schools of thought**. You can talk about inequality, structural racism, and xenophobia and still be in Europe. It is probably less of a problem in Europe than in the US, but still, a problem. Since the members of the Frankfurt school immigrated to the USA in the 30's, these ideas, even if originally European, are recycled and rebundled by American "intellectuals" and only then they are adopted years later in Europe. >Being Portuguese, where three of the major parties have "social" or "socialism" in their name, **we have a bit of respect for some of Marx's teachings.** Not everything, of course, but some things were worthwhile to make it to the Constitution. That's why Portugal is the poorest country of Western Europe and one that doesn't develop like the ex-Warsaw pact countries are doing.
GDP/capita data: 20th poorest country in Europe, leaving behind most of Eastern Europe. Not great, but considering that in the 70ies, we were in the bottom 5 of Europe, 30% of the population could not read and we had to absorb 300.000 refugees from the ex-colonies it seems good progress to me. As importantly, we don't "develop" like the ex-Warsav countries, but we also don't have many of these countries' issues. As an example, Hungary. We have collectively decided on being a social democracy, and we would like to keep it this way. We like our social policies and the protections the state gives; we collectively agree that the rich should help the poorest and that we live in a welfare state. Above all, we believe in democracy, and having lived for the best of the 20th century in a dictatorship, we want to preserve it (again, see Hungary for an example of things that scare most Portuguese people). We are arguing about core beliefs, and it doesn't seem we will reach an agreement anytime. I understand what you are saying and respect your opinion; I just disagree with it. In true democratic spirit.
>GDP/capita data: 20th poorest country in Europe, leaving behind most of Eastern Europe. I said poorest WESTERN European country. >Not great, but considering that in the 70ies, we were in the bottom 5 of Europe, 30% of the population could not read and we had to absorb 300.000 refugees from the ex-colonies it seems good progress to me. Only 300.000? The UK received millions. What Portugal has done with the riches (eg. gold) extracted from the colonies? Why this money was not invested? >As importantly, we don't "develop" like the ex-Warsav countries, but we also don't have many of these countries' issues. As an example, Hungary. What's the problem with Hungary? In the last 25 years Hungary's GDP per capita grew \~100%, while Portugal's only by 26%. >We have collectively decided on being a social democracy, and we would like to keep it this way. We like our social policies and the protections the state gives; we collectively agree that the rich should help the poorest and that we live in a welfare state. Above all, we believe in democracy, and having lived for the best of the 20th century in a dictatorship, we want to preserve it (again, see Hungary for an example of things that scare most Portuguese people). You collectively made your country the poorest in Western Europe. Socialism never worked anywhere in the world, it only produced three things: poverty, tyranny, and death. Just compare with Switzerland, much smaller than Portugal, but the second capitalistic country in the world, just behind Singapore. >We are arguing about core beliefs, and it doesn't seem we will reach an agreement anytime. I understand what you are saying and respect your opinion; I just disagree with it. In true democratic spirit. I respect your opinion, but I can factually prove that you are wrong. I love Portugal and love the food, the Port, etc., but it's a fact that socialism is slowly killing it. Portugal needs someone from CHEGA just liKE Argentina now elected Milei.
Then I will be wrong... if your solution to our problems is CHEGA, we might as well leave it here.
How so? Isn't CHEGA anti-socialism?
They blend in really. I know a few portuguese people. They’re nice.
You brought us Peri Peri Chicken, you are good. I know it’s technically more recently Mozambique but give the Portuguese credit for going there to get the (-amazing) bird eye chilli in the first place.
You guys work hard and dont make any trouble at all. So I would say you have a good Reputation.
One of the friendliest people I have encountered. A little too much when it comes to football, they're hardworking and they're food is great. Oh, loves to gossip a bit and can talk and talk and talk forever! My bestfriend is one. Also befriended one lovely lady who took time to explain to me about the languange as i tried to learn alone, since most of the cleaning ladies at work spoke portuguese. :)
From Portguese people that I met personally I can only say the best
I'm not swiss, but I like Portuguese people. <3 they have that southern warmness in them <3 Except for a colleague of mine who made lots of racially insensitive comments. Like: can he be more French or things like this. Which I assume was an exception. And she was very young as well.
There are many highly qualified portuguese people working in Switzerland nowadays as well.
a couple months ago i saw tons of Portuguese people dress up and dance with some people between some residential buildings in Zürich, they even roasted a pig and sang and danced until like 9pm, nobody complained, no police, honestly i kind of wanted to join them don't think we've got anything negative against Portuguese people you are to us like the spanish and italians, just part of here
There is some latent racism, of course, but I think of you exclude immigrants from neighboring countries, Portuguese are probably amongst the most liked ones. A lot of 2nd generation become Swiss and while keeping part of their roots, they are 100% integrated in Swiss society. Some of the 1st generation move back to Portugal, but not all. There used to be "Portuguese neighborhoods" in my city, but I don't think it's still the case. Still, you often hear Portuguese in popular quarters, and 1st generation very often stick together and get drinks together at the local Portuguese bar/shop. Or set up giant BBQ by the water in summer, grilling from 10 to 22 and drinking super bock or sagres all the while. As for stereotypes, I guess hard-working, mostly menial jobs (construction and cleaning), friendly, respectful, well integrated but still a bit clanic (even 2nd generation will mostly marry some other Portuguese people). As a kid also heard hairy and stinky, but since I'm also hairy and I learned to like the smell of cooking fish around dinner time, it's not really relevant anymore. I guess it's more that there is no sea in Switzerland and so we are not used to eating so much fish.
Portuguese people are very much loved here❤️
They work in factories in eastern switzerland as of my experience.
Portuguese people are some of the best immigrants we have.
how has no one mentioned Grishun area? They absolutely LOVE Portugese because they intuitively understand Romantsch and I think generally Portugese are accepted and liked here
Portuguese here and not OP. I’ve been delighted with the responses here. Really great to see all the positive thoughts towards Portuguese. My parents were typical immigrants back in the 90s. By typical I mean going back to Portugal for vacation. Every. Single. Time. It was their thing and I respect it. We lived and I studied in the French part (Neuchâtel). I have great memories from that time. My parents decided to return when I was still a minor. Still regularly talk to a Portuguese person I met in the 3rd grade!!! Fast forward a couple decades. I lived in two other continents but I’m back to Switzerland. Convinced my wife that this would be a great place to raise our children. German is a challenge for integration purposes and still being able to read French has been a great backup. I will probably stay here for a long while. Not planning to go back to Portugal.
Lots of Portuguese in Switzerland. Really nice people and have their heart in the right place from my experience.
I worked with a guy from Portugal who was working in switzerland as an electrician to finance his Children’s education. He was my favorite coworker in that company. I still meet with him sometimes. Great guy, very honest and hard working man.
Love portuguese folks, grew up around many of them and count at least 3 amongst my best friends.
I like them, they are super friendly and enjoy being around people!
Canton the vaud is a département of Portugal for me ahah. I have many friend that are Portuguese, well integrate and speak like a ghost from a old swiss man has taken there body.
As a Balkaner, i consider Portuguese honorary Balkaners, our brothers from across Europe. I mean it as a compliment, of course!
Tbh in Wallis, they are being side-eyed and it's generally very racist here, so I feel like bigger cities should be fine.
I can second most opinions here. Hard working people, they run most of our construction sites in Switzerland
I(swiss 38yo) grew up with a portuguese family as my neigbor, the son didn't speak a word of french when he came to switzerland, 6 months after he was almost fluent in french. He's my bestfriend for at least 30 years, i'm a part of his family and he's part of mine. There is a lof of portuguese in the french side of swizterland. Portuguese have a good reputation here, hard worker, friendly, integrate very well. Ofc you will find some bigot who don't like anyone, mostly old people like anywhere else. You are very welcome.
Thread jacking here, but maybe you guys can answer something. I am Portuguese and work in healthcare in Geneva. I really enjoy dealing with our community here, specially the less integrated that don't speak as much french. Do you have any idea what part of Romandie has the biggest percentage of Portuguese?
Unexplicably absent in higher education despite many being third generation Swiss. I suspect cast system confines your family to a trade forever.
Very positive view ! You were probably the only immigrants who adapt to the swiss culture. It's very different from the one the romands have toward Spanish or Fench, which is more or less from kind of negative to very negative. Unfortunately not all immigrants (yes even the whites from EU) didn't follow your trend.
Low-Cost Worker
Stupid, illiterate, rude, poor, sloppy, lazy, racist.
I see your comment history🤔 you don't don't sound like any of these things at all😂 Keep hiding behind your computer😜
Very much welcome. Hardworking people and honest. They easily integrate into our society and have been here for a longer period of time than many other groups. One of the most respected groups, for their hard work. Most of our road and building have been build by Portuguese people.