Can anyone tell me the distinction between these two ways of saying please? I've heard both used althoug faz (pronounced fash I think) favor I've only heard used to waiters. My stock of Portuguese phrases is increasing but I'm puzzled by this. Don't want to use faz favor if it's patronising obviously.

I think Por Favor is more of a pleading. Basic please is Faz.

I've been told that faz favor is more of an Algarve phrase rather that por favor which is the phrase which is taught in language classes etc.

My Portuguese (not just for use in the Algarve of course) phrase book has faz favor as the phrase for please. there is no mention of por favor, which I have always assumed to be Spanish in any case!

My understanding is that both expressions are equally acceptable.

However I have no idea as to how they originated.

I was taught faz favor & told por favor is Spanish though acceptable & widely used in Portugal.

Thanks all. I'm a faz man from now on, at the risk of being regarded as a bit of a pleader. To complicate things, someone else has told me one should actually say "se faz favor"! Por favor certainly seems in wider usage in dealing with tourists.

se faz favor - "if you please"

slight difference. pratically none.

posso sentar-me aqui, por favor --- can i have a seat, please?

faz favor ---- by all means, sit down.