Subtle Tensions

On the door of the Sew-Low Discount Fabric store hangs a sign that reads, "Part-time applications: Must speak English and Portuguese."

East Cambridge's longtime residents are not just of European descent, as D'Onofrio and Mitchell are.

In fact, much of the area's unique culture comes from its large Portuguese population, centered around the Cambridge Street enclave of Portuguese-owned shops and restaurants.

This population sprung up in the 1880's, when many Portuguese came to East Cambridge to work in a neighborhood factory weaving fishing nets, according to Sullivan.

Instead of a simple mixing of cultures, residents acknowledge that the neighborhood's Portuguese and non-Portuguese populations tend to self-segregate, in large part because some of the older Portuguese residents have never learned to speak English.

Rosa Tetrillo, who lives in East Cambridge and has worked at Sew-Low for almost 11 years since she came from Cape Verde, says the store's request for Portuguese speaking help is simply pragmatic.

"When someone who only speaks English is working here," she says, "the Portuguese won't buy. The times we have English-speaking help are the times we have no business."