During a recent episode of Conan O’Brien‘s talk show, Conan O’Brien himself humorously discussed the lack of knowledge and stereotypes surrounding Portugal. In a playful conversation with his guest, O’Brien attempted to create some potentially offensive Portuguese stereotypes in an effort to give the country an identity. Host and guest engaged in a lively back-and-forth discussion about Portugal, including its longest fixed borders in history and its most famous export, soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo.
Naturally, O’Brien poked fun at Ronaldo, wondering if he ever hangs out at the local 7-Eleven and buys magazines and beef jerky. His guest assured him that Ronaldo lives a secluded life in Portugal, rarely seen outside of his massive compound. O’Brien could relate, joking about his own fame in America and his equally secluded lifestyle.
The conversation then turned to the lack of recognizable stereotypes associated with Portugal. O’Brien expressed his concerns, noting that when he says he is Portuguese, people give him blank stares. His quest for creating stereotypes about Portugal led him to ask his guest, a comedian, to shoot from the hip and make up offensive Portuguese jokes. The guest, showing cultural sensitivity, mentioned that Portuguese people are known for their stoicism and seriousness, claiming it was entertaining tourism Bureau stuff.
O’Brien, still searching for Portuguese stereotypes, then delved into the country’s cuisine. He wondered about Portugal’s signature food, comparing it to Italy’s pasta and Mama’s cooking. The guest jokingly replied that Portugal is known for fish, much to O’Brien’s surprise. Continuing with the comedic theme, the guest mentioned that Portugal doesn’t put many condiments on their food, as the fish is simply that tasty.
In addition to fish, the guest mentioned Portugal’s sweet tooth, highlighting a particular delicacy known as egg tarts. Describing them as crunchy, flaky pastries with a creamy custard filling, the guest explained that the tarts are slightly burned on top and served with a sprinkle of cinnamon. O’Brien, still not entirely impressed by the name, suggested that they work on changing it to something catchier for Halloween. The guest playfully mentioned that in Portuguese, these pastries are called “queijadas,” meaning cream pastries.
The conversation concluded with the guest sharing that Portugal does, in fact, celebrate Halloween, adding a playful twist to the discussion about cultural stereotypes. O’Brien’s lighthearted and lively banter with his guest provided an entertaining segment that shed some amusing light on the often overlooked country of Portugal.
