1.1 Keeping Safe And Secure

Myths debunked: Lisbon is neither a hotbed of crime, nor crime free. It is relatively safe, although there is opportunist petty theft, like pickpocketing. You can take straightforward precautions to avoid being dipped.

Sensible Shoes

Why do so many Portuguese women, across age ranges, wear trainers or other kinds of flats? Look down at that tiled pavement (or sidewalk, if you prefer). All those off-white tiles get a shiny surface with so many feet pounding over them down the years. So they’re potentially lethal even in dry weather, and worse in the wet.

The tiles make fabulous patterns, but they can be uneven, meaning puddles of standing water, and demanding your attention as you walk. Disrespect the tiled pavements and they’ll have you base over apex in no time.

Some areas of tiled pavements have darker tiles laid with the off-white ones. That makes the surface a bit more grippy, but don’t assume it’s OK to drop your guard. Tiled pavement at Metro and newer rail stations is the imitation kind - well, mostly. At older rail stations, it’s genuine. And so still lethal.

Pickpocket Precautions

Don’t put your phone in a back pocket. In fact, don’t put anything in a back pocket. Keep everything thievable out of sight when on the Metro, bus or tram. Avoid displays of ostentatious jewellery, watches, or other bling. Keep bags where you can see them. Keep purses out of sight. Try not to wave your phone around too much. Especially if it’s a recent model.

For all those in the UK recoiling in horror at this advice, it’s no different from what you would tell anyone visiting, say, London. Especially the West End.

Weather

Lisbon enjoys the best part of 300 sunny days a year. HOWEVER. It can get wet, especially in the winter months. And when it rains, you find out about it. If you have room in your bags, pack a fold-up umbrella. In any case, have a Plan B ready for such occasions. Like museums. Where it’s dry.

In wet conditions, pay even more attention to those tiled pavements, where puddles will form rapidly. So your feet can get wetter quicker.

If you visit in summer, it can get very warm indeed. Best have a head covering and keep the flesh un-flashed. Also, carry some bottled water. Mid day sunlight can be very intense. Bring your shades. Get some sun slap.

Language

Most restaurants and bars in Lisbon have someone on hand who speaks English. HOWEVER. Learn a few phrases of Português and your hosts will be made up that you’ve made the effort. Just saying Bom Dia (or Boa Tarde) to the reception and breakfast staff at your hotel or pensão is a major positive, and can pay you back when you need assistance.

DO NOT assume that “It’s like Spanish”. BECAUSE IT ISN’T. DO NOT assume that speaking English Very Slowly And Very Loudly will get you anywhere. BECAUSE IT WON’T. “Fala Inglês” is roughly equivalent to “Do you speak English” if it’s not obvious that you’re an English speaker.

TRY NOT TO mangle your pronunciation. A few examples.

Santa Justa is pronounced San-ta Zh-ush-ta, NOT San-ta Hus-ta. COS YOU’RE NOT IN SPAIN.

The Jorge in São Jorge is NOT pronounced Hor-hay, or Hor-ji. DON’T EVEN GO THERE. Just replace the first G of the English George with a softer Zh sound and you’re close.

Português does not, generally, sound the E at the end of a word, and often does not sound the O with the same emphasis as Castellano. So Sete in Sete Rios is NOT pronounced Set-AY. And Oriente is NOT pronounced Orient-AY.

But you do get the AY sound if the E is accented, as in Cais do Sodré.

Avoid Stateside howlers. Rossio is NOT pronounced Roh-see-oh (shades of Bill Clinton mangling Kosovo and Milosovic). It’s approximately Rush-you.

Praça (note accent) is pronounced Pra-Sa. And NOT Pra-Ka.

Yes, there are lots of YouTube videos out there featuring horrendous pronunciation howlers. That does not make the howlers correct - it just means there are too many people not doing their homework.

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