People I like to think I’ve learned some European practices and courtesies that smooth my way during foreign travels, but I’m clear that nobody is mistaking me for anything but an American tourist. I just try to avoid the ‘ugly’ part. Most of my experiences with the people of Portugal were curated by the tour company’s arrangements as well as filtered through our guides.Yet I was on my own for a few days in Lisbon where I appreciated everyone’s courteous and pleasant demeanor and their patience with English speakers.* Having written previously about the eager-to-help Irish, the resigned-to-help Italians, and the no, that’s not possible French, I’d place my limited interactions with the Portuguese somewhere close to the Irish. It’s got to be tiresome to live in a city so thoroughly infiltrated by tourists but from what I experienced, the Portuguese are bearing up well. * Just about everyone I interacted with spoke fluent English – one of our guides told me...