Trevor Noah quip on Portugal

South African comedian Trevor Noah has made headlines in Portugal after cheekily asking what it is that the country actually produces.

By TPN/Lusa, in News, Portugal · 22 Nov 2021, 19:00 · 15 Comments

Noah, who succeeded Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, made the tongue-in-cheek quip in a humorous set on news that Portugal’s Labour Code has been amended to prevent employers from contacting workers during periods of rest. The presenter finished his piece by saying the amendment is a good example of the differences between the vast majority of European countries when compared to the US.

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Comments

After Jon Stewart intelligence, depth and well rounded knowledge, Trevor's ignorance is bliss!

By Tony Fernandes from Other on 22 Nov 2021, 23:17

Clearly he doesn't drink wine!

By helen murphy from UK on 23 Nov 2021, 16:08

What we produce? Humans, something apparently lacking in the USA lately.

By NUNO NOGUEIRA from Lisbon on 23 Nov 2021, 16:47

Clearly Noah has spend too much time in the USA and believes nothing else happens outside of his little world.

By Luciano from UK on 23 Nov 2021, 18:35

Noah is someone that I greatly admire. For he visited his grand mother's very humble home, from which he sprung, with news team in tow. Portugal produces a climate where we Americans can escape to live: sans constant danger.

By Carol J. from Lisbon on 24 Nov 2021, 03:39

Unsurprisingly, the Portuguese are too busy looking for reasons to take offense and compare themselves to others, to appreciate a silly joke.

By xavier cobos from Lisbon on 24 Nov 2021, 08:50

I find Trevor Noah a clown. He should look at his own country that produces only corruption, crime and destruction at a scale not seen in any other African country!’

By Fernanda from UK on 24 Nov 2021, 10:21

Fernanda, are you sure about that? The US, of course, has plenty of corruption, no doubt. It is, after all, a large country. But if you want to talk about scale and proportion, nothing--and I mean absolutely nothing--compares to the business-as-usual, casual, everyday corruption you see in Portugal. You are aware, correct, that the UN declared us the least compliant country in Europe when it comes to adhering to anti-corruption measures? This place is an unmitigated disaster in which honest businesspeople either conform (i.e., become corrupt themselves) or get swallowed whole, chewed up, and spit out. Colonialism was the only source of wealth in this country's history, and when that dried up they, in not bothering to learn another way, started employing those practices on themselves. Nothing else exists here. Get real .

By Teodoro from Other on 24 Nov 2021, 12:26

Sadly the Portuguese spend more time taking offence at jokes and truths about Portugal than actually do anything constructive about problems mentioned in Portugal. Tragically, they get what they want - the continuation of the cult of poverty, the continuation of corruption, the continuation of low quality instead of moving towards a more Europeanised, prosperous and inclusive society.

By k from Other on 24 Nov 2021, 18:08

We will be writing to and inviting Trevor ????????

By Carl from Beiras on 24 Nov 2021, 22:00

Fernanda, with all due respect for your knowledge of the United States, let me add a tidbit of information: it's not located in Africa - try North America.

By Johan Temmerman from Other on 25 Nov 2021, 10:40

While it's natural to be offended by Trevor's comment, his humor is quite nuanced at times. As an immigrant to the US, he often mocks the ignorance of Americans by feigning belief in "Americanisms" (as immigrants often more vigorously embrace these "americanisms" than most Americans do). Here, Trevor is underlining a typical "americanism": that Americans have very little knowledge of other countries and believe that only America is productive. I'm very sure he is mocking American ignorance more than the people of Portugal.

By Mark L Walker from USA on 25 Nov 2021, 11:04

As someone that actually used to follow and appreciate Trevor Noah, for his education in the future, I suggest that he might want to educate himself about industry in Portugal. His recent quip demonstrated a serious lack of education.

Portugal is the top producer of cork and carob in the world, accounting to about 50% and 30% of world production respectively.[183] It is also the third largest exporter of chestnut and the third largest European producer of pulp.[184] Portugal is among the top ten largest olive oil producers in the world and is the fourth biggest exporter.[185] The country is also one of the world's largest exporters of wine, being reputed for its fine wines.

Portugal is a significant European minerals producer and is ranked among Europe's leading copper producers. The nation is also a notable producer of tin, tungsten and uranium.

(Amazing, what a simple Wikipedia search can do)

In addition, several industries operate in Portugal manufacturing their goods in that country. As exemplified by the article below.

Why this city is Europe's best kept cycling secret https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-59386433

As an Union Leader, I also take exception to a “joke” that would seem to criticize an advancement on Labor Rights. Maybe someone, privileged that does not have to worry about such corporate abuse can make light of the situation. I happen to work in an profession that is constantly getting abused and taken advantage by its employers. So any advancement in Labor Rights specially by a government is something to applaud, not to make fun of. Maybe you can learn from some of your colleagues (John Oliver) and his recent educated piece on Union Busting.

By Rui Pina from USA on 25 Nov 2021, 16:52

Trevor Noah is from South Africa. Takes 1 second to find this out.
He's a clown, and not even a funny one. People who find him funny, are the lowest common denominators of human intelligence.

By DD from Lisbon on 26 Nov 2021, 09:09

No one in Portugal should be offended. He's most likely poking fun at American ignorance about Portugal. The US is so big and far from most parts of the world that there is little exposure to other places, unless you travel there. For almost all Americans, Portugal is not on their radar. First it is very small and very few bad things occur here, so it isn't in the news... it's like Estonia, or Croatia. Personally, I found these aspects to be one of many reasons to not just visit, but to move here. Plus the language is the best in the world, the food/wine, beaches and climate are great, apart from a couple winter months, it's incredibly safe, the people are nice and the cost of living is incredibly reasonable. The US excels at financial and career opportunities, but after you've experienced that... Portugal is a better option. What does Portugal make? A great quality of life.

By Robert from Lisbon on 07 Dec 2021, 20:18