Fragments

British tourists in Lisbon

Letter to the editor, The Times

Dated 27 July 1932, published 3 August 1932

Sir,

As a resident of 12 years' standing in the city of Lisbon, Portugal, I should like to draw public attention to the behaviour and appearance of British tourists who frequently arrive here on pleasure trips, who land and parade the streets of the town. They not only attract the attention of the Portuguese, who regard them as a travelling circus and follow them about the streets, but they cause great embarrassment to members of the large British colony of about 1500 souls who have made their homes in Portugal. Perhaps they may be brought to realise, through the medium of your columns, that deck shoes, gaudy chiffon dresses, no coats and sometimes no collars, gay handkerchiefs bound round the heads (of the men) are not suitable costumes to wear in the streets of a large capital; and that they do a great deal to ruin British prestige among the Portuguese, who are punctillious in their behaviour and meticulous in their dress.

I am, sir, your obedient servant.

Resident Abroad

Tags: Lisbon, tourists, British