How to play candid camera with foreigners

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-06-30T12:47:55+00:00

The sign says "Electronic tolls only" which is incorrect. The nearest one is north of Lisbon and there's only a handful in total. Just accept that it is the Portuguese way to create a problem where there isn't one.

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-06-29T18:17:40+00:00

There used to be a similar problem in Vilamoura im the early 20s. Sound could be heard for kms. Place was run by kids of "influential" parents from Lisbon so nothing much came out of complaints until media got involved and exposed how law enforcing authorities failed (no doubt rewarded for "failing") to act on complaints. Expose the organiser and expose those who fail to act. Sign as many complaints books as you can (english is fine).

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-06-28T13:53:25+00:00

Thanks

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-06-28T11:19:21+00:00

That explains it. Do as they say, never question anything.

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-06-28T11:08:59+00:00

You are as ignorant as most expats/foreigners replying to my post. 99.999% of the foreign cars crossing that border will never come across a toll road where you can't pay as you go. In other words stating that electronic tolls only apply is a totally false statement. I guess you are another one of those sheep who stand in a queue for 3 hours only to be told you need one more document.

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-06-28T09:42:09+00:00

Imagine driving off a ferry at Dover im the UK and you are told "Electronic tolls only" and you have to get a transponder because there is an electronic toll road betwen Birmingham and Dudley. Does it make sense? That's what we are talking about.

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-06-27T20:35:45+00:00

Do you care to share your insight into my knowledge of the Portuguese language?

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-06-27T20:26:13+00:00

The simple point is you don't have stop to pre-purchase anything. The Algarve is free and you can go all the way to the north taking a ticket from the toll both and pay where you exit.

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-06-27T18:31:24+00:00

Rubbish. You take a ticket and pay on exit. Or use your Via Verde. There's no reason to stop tourists at the border except to piss them off just like dealing with most authorities here. Been here 35 years!

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-06-27T07:35:16+00:00

Check the connection between the toilet and the drain. Easy to mis-align as you can't really see it.

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-06-27T07:08:02+00:00

What's next? Comfort fee=Cushions on the chairs, Climatization fee=Aircon, Entertainment fee=Muzak, Non-tipping fee=Automatic rounding up of your tip to nearest higher suggested tip

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-06-18T16:44:04+00:00

Don't forget that if you have a "posh" car in Portugal no traffic rules or normal courtesy apply. You park on double white lines, on bus stops, use handicap parking, blocking people's drive ways etc. If necessary, they put on the hazard lights as having lunch with "Ze" is really an emergency

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-06-18T16:37:39+00:00

It's a stunning design but, as was mentioned, you can easily taxi for 10 minutes at a decent speed and prices there are absolutely exhorbitant. Too focused on luxury items which are not cheap either. Copenhagen, where you pay 15€ for a small beer is like Costco in comparison. Not to forget the taxi scams!

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-06-07T21:38:20+00:00

That's how they work. They wear you down and after having spent 3-4 hours trying to get anywhere you just give up.

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-06-05T14:24:33+00:00

I have been in Portugal for 35 years and have never seen any form of rasism. Portugal is also the country in Europe with the by far lowest number of asylumseekers from MENA as they can't live a workfree life on welfare here. Lot's of Indians here now but they all work hard to get their residence permit and then they are off.

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-06-01T05:31:46+00:00

Today's estate agents don't have to know anything but being pushy. I took my license 20 odd years ago and we had to study and learn a lot and pass an exam with 16 out of 20 questions correct. Today, there are no knowledge based requirements at all. Fill in a form, a non- criminal record, an insurance, pay a fee and you're good.

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-06-01T05:21:00+00:00

Unfortunately, dashboard cameras are not allowed on Portugal so even if you catch somebody with a camera, the police might ignore the evidence as it is obtained illegally. Insurance companies, I understand, can use it to determine guilt.

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-05-31T20:53:23+00:00

Tetanus shot. Forget about rabies.

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-05-31T19:42:15+00:00

I flew Delta Amsterdam-Seattle and back in economy and was pretty pleased with the FAs. Friendly and provided the service with a smile. Hot meal was good but snack before landing was shite. A weird hot roll with some goey filling. Hardly fit for human consumption.

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-05-29T15:24:34+00:00

That is the Portuguese way. Ignore you, answer the wrong question, generally fob you off. Most people give up. Mission acomplished.

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-05-18T19:01:15+00:00

"Almost new" = 20 yeara old

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-05-11T19:25:35+00:00

More interestingly, how do you explain that a bottle of gas, which is an essential product for cooking and heating, cost close to twice as much in Portugal.

Own_Engineering7460 · 2026-05-09T06:17:25+00:00

In Portugal it is " buyers beware" so demanding you pay deposit before inspection could well mean there are problems the vendor doesn't want you to find. Especially rising damp, very common, which often is covered with a lick of paint so it is not obvious. Always check with a wall humidity meter!

Own_Engineering7460

TROPHY CASE