As a Macanese who grew up in Macau and witnessed the handover to China in December of 1999, I can say that the majority of people from Macau didn’t think well about the Portuguese. Macau almost had an Apartheid atmosphere where the Portuguese were more priviledged than the Chinese or other foreigners.

I remember not being able to go to a certain beach which consisted of beachhouses, yachts and a beautiful pool with a restaurant since only Portuguese people were the only ones attending the place. Such other places also had the same criteria.

The Macanese people were intimidated with the Portuguese since they were quite demanding and had their own little worlds so to speak that some people were just afraid of them. A lot of my coworkers would be respectful in front but would “talk smack”behind them.

But right after the handover to China, everything changed. Up until today, the Portuguese are much more friendlier and open minded. Perhaps because they are now considering themselves a minority. Everyone in Macau today feels more united. The barriers are broken.