Portugal people love to complain, but dare doing so if you're a foreigner...
F28, Portuguese. A few hours ago, posted something here about a personal issue. A portuguese person decided to “attack me” in the comments for no freaking reason, just randomly assuming things about my life completely out of nowhere. That’s it, this is also an issue. Portuguese people love to complain, but if they assume you’re a foreigner complaining about something (especially tax, unemployment benefits, or bureaucracy related), they’ll immediately start insulting you and will not respect your opinion. It’s clear Portugal has issues, but dare pointing certain things out if you’re a foreigner! This is also why this country won’t go far. The people who point things out and want to improve stuff get called out for doing so :)
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Comments11
Gray Crater
May 27, 2025
Portuguese here, how do you think the country got to where it’s at today?
It’s really not just about you being a foreigner (although part of it too, but that’s just how it goes everywhere tbh), but as a Portuguese person, I’ve always complained about things such as the ones you’re describing.
The problem is that there are so many people who are benefit-dependent, that you criticizing the system, it’s basically like you’re criticizing their way of life. They’re basically bought and paid for votes by the Socialist Party, because really, who in their right mind, receives free money from the state from doing squat, and the would vote for the ones who want to take the benefits away? It’s an addiction.
Fortunately, it looks like there’s a shift going on, as the internet has given the Portuguese people a glimpse of what life is out there, if only we had a different system. I think that might save us from this endless socialist nightmare we’ve been on for the last 50 years.
Anyway, thanks for criticizing our country, and showing that this country is in the state it’s at by choice, not because there isn’t another way (like they would like us to believe).
Purple Cookie
May 27, 2025
I’m Portuguese too haha but this other person thought I was a foreigner living on governmnet benefits (I’m actually receiving unemployment benefits after being affected by layoffs last year) and started to attack me because I said Portugal could make it easier for people to leave the benefits if only they could test entrepeneurial ideas without losing the benefits right away (because you know, most ideas fail, it happens).
In this case, I would very much like to do something but because I couldn’t yet find a job (this person also attacked me for not doing so when youth unemployment is above 20%) or test my ideas without losing the benefits I worked for years to receive, I haven’t really done anything (besides learning new stuff, upskilling, etc).
So yeah, this person attacked me for being a foreigner living off of benefits and doing nothing for lack of wanting. Portuguese people, in general, love to jump to conclusions and attack others based on ideas they got out of nowhere.
Indigo Magnetosphere
May 27, 2025
It’s pretty normal imho.
I am Mexican and can talk shit about my country, but hearing a foreigner doing so makes me furious. Same thing happens with family.
Chocolate Sand
May 27, 2025
Life on Earth 101
Chocolate Sand
May 27, 2025
This is a normal thing with all nationalities. Their own get to criticise, but if others do they immediately get shut down. It’s not a problem.
You commented in English in an immigrant complaint forum you were treated as non-portuguese.