BLIP - Better Living in Portugal

nosey_parker · Post by **nosey_parker** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:12 pm

Are foreign business owners doing well in the Algarve? Well, from this year's BLIP (my first) it seemed that there are many people out there who came here to the Algarve and have managed to create their own jobs. As a portuguese visitor said to me "well done", implying that we portuguese do not have the motivation.

Is it all that is lacking me and my fellow compatriots?

Just wondering if anyone else has been and what yout thoughts are.

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:22 pm

Hi Su! How did it go for you? I know you had 'long days' at weekend..must have been tiring...any inspiration?
In the short time Ive known you,something you do not lack is 'motivation' ..you simply need a chance/opportunity.. to 'go for it'!

nosey_parker · Post by **nosey_parker** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:25 pm

It just confirmed that "my dream" business would be right if set on the right location. I'm looking into it. Will need your expertise and wise advice Ellie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:47 pm

Same old story really......I've called quite a few Portuguese companies to give them business. Translations........Phone just rings.....Car matriculation.....call back tomorrow he's out....Bought a new Kitchen...They never even finished the Job..had to get another company to do it........etc etc.....Always the .....'Its a problem' ..attitude.....I'm very sorry to say I now steer cleer of Portuguese companies if I can and go for the 'CanDo' crowd....Northern Europeans...and Blip was a showcase......I would dearly love to give all my business to Portuguese firms...but until they give just a little service.....I have no choice.....

ps......Now and again I've found a good one......so don't despair..it can be done..and early next year I'm opening a new company and will employ at least 10 local staff.....I hope I can motivate them with drive and a very good wage.....so I guess I have faith somewhere

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:52 pm

Su..our business venture was a decade ago..so Im not sure what expertise we could offer..except H says be prepared to work without profit for quite a period.....we just 'ticked over' for some months..
as you pointed out to me..'getting paid' on time is still a big problem in Portugal..but
I dont want to put you off before you start..you know we send all our good luck & backing to you.but..
I think others here are more expert on business matters and could give you better advice on the 'business world' in Algarve..than me.but..tell you something ..
youre making me wish I was going into it with you! I had the same dream as you..and started it...but in the end it boiled down to money which I didnt have.
I think you'd do better..your ideas are forward thinking and as youve mentioned..the 'setting' is essential...thats one of the things I got wrong!
Boa sorte querida
p.s. let me know how it goes please

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 11:23 pm

well yes there were a lot of foreign "busineses" at the show...i wondered how many would be there next year...as many seem to be only catering for foreign clients....as for foreign run firms..yes true there are some good ones...but sadly after 14 years here I have to say that some of the worst tradespeople i have had to deal with are foreigners who have gone "native" and become worse for tardiness, poor workmanship than the local firms and then charge for their work as though we all live in a penthouse flat overlooking buckingham palace.

i am afraid some of them will not last

cowboy · Post by **cowboy** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 12:34 am

foreigners who have gone "native" and become worse for tardiness, poor workmanship than the local firms and then charge for their work as though we all live in a penthouse flat overlooking buckingham palace.

i am afraid some of them will not last

At those prices, they have most likely retired.

Foxeylady · Post by **Foxeylady** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 10:28 pm

Ive been thinking of coming to live and work in the Algarve but keep wondering whether I would be bored after a time? Is there enough going on to stimulate one?In UK we are on the ball and in touch with all thats going on worldwide,so I do have serious reservations.
Can we have some honest opinions here!

nosey_parker · Post by **nosey_parker** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 6:57 pm

I don't know how old you are FoxeyLady but if you are in your 20's like me you will get very bored...As some people have pointed out in other topics other than Algarveshopping and bars there isn't much to stimulate the mind. I'm a very indoor type of person so the latter option is not top of my list and I've become increasingly bored with Algarve Shopping.

Why? Because unless you have money what's the point of going there? Since I moved here all my money is to cover basic bills.

Why am I here? Because my mother is 67 and has no one else but me. Taking her to the UK at her age not speaking the language would be traumatic for her.

I'm am pretty much stuck. If you need more honest information do contact me...I have bias in the sense that I am in love with England, as our dear Ellie will confirm, but saying that, I think I have a very realistic perspective of what's like to work and live in the Algarve.

Oh, and remember...there is more to Portugal than the Algarve but you have to be willing to learn the language.

Bye for now.

digger · Post by **digger** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 9:36 pm

Foxeylady wrote:Ive been thinking of coming to live and work in the Algarve but keep wondering whether I would be bored after a time? Is there enough going on to stimulate one?In UK we are on the ball and in touch with all thats going on worldwide,so I do have serious reservations.
Can we have some honest opinions here!

OK….honest opinion No.2……you’re thinking of living and working in Algarve?!!
You may or may not get bored after a time……… but in any case I think it best you forget about the working….as nothing actually happens in Algarve…just tourism so much tourism….so unless you can afford to live without work….probably best forget it

….You did ask for an honest opinion

(but I've never been to AlgarveShopping

)

falcon · Post by **falcon** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 8:43 am

Ok I have an honest opinion - alright I am not in my 20s, I am 35 but I have been working in the Algarve for almost 4 years now and I am NEVER bored. I find that there are SO many opportunities here and it's an exciting challenge to try and make something out of them.

Many a time I get together with friends who have their own business and we all realize that it IS tough to survive here, let alone make any money. However having your own business anywhere is difficult that is why 80% of them fail... go figure.

Personally I love living in the Algarve and would much prefer trying my utmost to succeed in a wonderful environment like this that in some ultra high powered city in a cold climate. Thats my 2 cents, but the fact is, there are TONS of opportunities here if you have the energy to go after them.

Have a nice day y'all!

cowboy · Post by **cowboy** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 9:58 am

the fact is, there are TONS of opportunities here if you have the energy to go after them.

Falcon, care to name a few?

falcon · Post by **falcon** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 11:18 am

why... are you interested, coop

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 12:22 pm

RE; Portuguese trades people and business

Hi guys I can only speak as I find but when we were looking for a house the only people who offered really bad service and tried to stitch us up were, Brits.

I found the Portuguese while very laid back and never on time for appointments, were genuine and honest. We now accept the punctuality thing, and just shrug our shoulders as they more than make up for it in other ways.
We now just now add this in to the "time frame equation". and just take this as part of their business culture and a different way of life. I read somewhere family and sociliasing come first and second. Business 3rd on the list.

why are so many Brits taking their family abroad? to spend more time with the family.

Perhaps also some of the Portuguese have been tainted in the ALgarves by mass tourism and the rudeness of some tourists and the demanding arrogant attitude of some people in general. I have witnessed it, so I am not surpirsed. Quite frankly at times I have felt embarrassed and hope the locals do not judge us all to be the same.

Yes, I acknowledge we are lucky and have found some truly kind, genuine people who have made us welcome to their country.

I will no doubt come across those who are not, but will deal with accordingly at the time.

Please do not judge when our own country is notorious for stitching people up and bad workmanship.

nosey_parker · Post by **nosey_parker** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 12:40 pm

Well, Guest that was a nice post. Maybe you could register so I could call you something else rather than simply "guest". You do have a point and I must say that I have become increasingly disappointed with the Brits I meet in the Algarve. Why? Because they are slagging the Portuguese all the time and just look at me at the end of it all with a fake smile and pretend they're sorry...it has happened more than once.

I am very critic of my own culture as all of you know by now, but I find some situations I've seen myself in as a pure sign of arrogance rather than healthy discussion. The other day it was thrown in my face that "portuguese women are weird"...I constantly find myself being ignored in conversations when I am the only Portuguese...

I never experienced this back in the UK. I don't know what to make of it, but your opinions are welcome.

My in-laws (bless them!) never have breakfast back in the UK. They got to the hotel and they moaned and moaned that there wasn't enough bacon, mushrooms and this and that...are they just lazy to cook back at home and decide to be fussy abroad?

Also, they paid for all their evening meals at the hotel (their choice, they must fear my cooking) and decided afterwards that the food wasn't good enough for them - even before they tried it. I felt offended! How can you say something is not good without trying?

After some persuasion of an English friend they tried the food at the hotel and loved it. My father-in-law swears he cannot have garlic. It makes him sick, he says. I had a blast when at a bar we were offered prawns marinated in garlic and watched him eating without a word.

So I do get annoyed at the type of culture that expects to find everything like it is back at home on their holiday.

But generally speaking, I love British culture and most people I've met.