Handshakes, kisses and 'o senhor': greetings and forms of address

Newcomers commonly report a mix of formality and warmth:

• Handshake first, kisses among friends. Expatica describes the handshake as the most common greeting, with women kissing on both cheeks among friends and family. The language site Practice Portuguese describes two cheek kisses, starting on the right, as usual in informal settings between a man and a woman or between two women, while men usually shake hands.
• Air kisses. According to Practice Portuguese, most people touch cheeks and make a kissing sound rather than actually kissing.
• Titles matter. In formal situations or with people you do not know well, guides recommend Senhor or Senhora, or a professional title, until you are invited to use first names.

Formal by default with strangers

In shops, offices and at work, addressing people formally is the safe starting point. Using o senhor / a senhora ("you", literally "the gentleman/the lady") or a title signals respect rather than distance. Expatica advises waiting until someone invites you to use their first name.

Greeting the group

Practice Portuguese notes that in large groups physical greetings are optional and a simple boa tarde or então, tudo bem? can be enough, and that it is fine to wait for shy people to start.

Everyday greetings

Bom dia (good morning), boa tarde (good afternoon) and boa noite (good evening) are the standard greetings at counters and with neighbours. Tudo bem? ("all well?") among acquaintances is often rhetorical, according to Practice Portuguese.

• One kiss or two. Practice Portuguese notes that some people give only one kiss, and Expatica mentions that in parts of Lisbon friends may greet with one kiss instead of two. Follow the other person's lead.
• Families differ. Some families greet with more hugs; in others male relatives kiss rather than shake hands.
• Work. In professional settings handshakes are the norm for men and women alike.