In smaller towns and villages, social activity centers around local folklore, with musical groups performing traditional dance and song. There are still some bull-rings in Portugal, although the passion for this is not as widespread as in neighboring Spain. A typical street scene would include groups of men gathering at local cafes to exchange stories and watch the people passing by.
Sunny Sunday afternoons can often be enjoyed listening to bands in the town parks or squares. The Portuguese enjoy gatherings of family and friends, and often an evening out may centre around a good meal in a restaurant. When Portuguese people do go out it's never a rushed affair.
Whole families, often with three or four generations, take their time enjoying the food and company, and often afterwards take a stroll around the square. Young children are often included in these evening sorties. Entertaining is usually out rather than at home, unlike some Northern European trends. Perhaps that is down to the clement weather (most of the time), or possibly the fact that the Portuguese love to be out and about greeting their friends and visiting relatives.
