Networking and business etiquette in Lisbon
Congratulations - you've made it to Lisbon, the city you will now call home! If you've managed to land your first job in the Portuguese capital, here are a few extra tips for you to know how to deal with the cultural differences you may come across when it comes to business and networking.
Business meetings in Lisbon
So, you were handed a card at a networking event, and you want to schedule a meeting. That's great! First of all, it's good to know that Portuguese people are traditional – if not old-fashioned – and mostly prefer to have meetings in person. Although it's true younger generations are more open to using the phone or more recent video technology such as Skype, Meets or Zoom, older folks still very much privilege first-hand contact. Firstly, you should email the person, reminding them of your name, where you met, and the reason for contacting them. Expect an email back, but don't hesitate to follow up with a phone call should no answer arrive (you know, people are busy).
You will get your reply, and hopefully, it's a yes. Excellent! Set a date and a time for your meeting, and know that business lunches are very common, but dinners can be seen as slightly inappropriate. If deciding on an afternoon meeting, be advised that it means something from 15h00 to 18h00.
Punctuality in Lisbon
Portuguese are not known for being precisely on time. Still, and even though business meetings are often 20-30 minutes late, it is still required to arrive no later than 5 minutes past the given time. Needless to say, you should always give the other party a heads-up in case you're running late; otherwise, you may come across as inconsiderate.
Gift giving in Lisbon
Though not as common as it once was, gift-giving is still a part of the Portuguese business culture. Still, there are a few rules to be aware of. Refrain from super expensive gifts (aka anything above 50€), and rest assured that your gift options are relatively flexible: traditional alcohol from your home country or local pieces of clothing such as a shawl (for women) or a tie (for men).
On the other hand, do not offer flowers or perfume. These are considered intimate and might give the wrong impression! Not to mention, it is hazardous to offend someone's allergies and end up awfully embarrassed.
Controversial topics in Lisbon
No matter how relaxed everyone seems to be around each other, there are certain topics that should be avoided in a business meeting. Those generally include politics or religion, as well as themes that may lead to social unrest. Please bear in mind most of the debates are counterproductive and lead nowhere, so these are definitely topics one should not use as a conversation starter.
Use your common sense to pick conversation topics and go with the flow. You will see it is much easier than it looks!
Good luck networking and being in business in Lisbon!
