Today is Dia do Trabalhador (Labour Day) in Portugal, a day to reflect on how we work and why.
In a country where time pressures are virtually non-existent it’s easy to get confused about work ethics. As I’ve been struggling to learn Portuguese over the last few months I’ve discovered a few hidden translation secrets. For example, As janelas estarão prontas na próxima semana (The windows will be ready next week) really means “The windows will be ready in nine weeks, provided the full moon falls on a Thursday and the goats have finished grazing before the afternoon rain showers begin.”
But these predictable delays don’t necessarily translate to lazy or uncaring. In fact, as I watch the meticulous work progress on the fields below the house it’s impossible to criticize the Portuguese labour force. Rather, there’s a strong sense of pride in workmanship here, the slow attention to detail that is so often missing from the world of NOW and URGENT. Things definitely progress more slowly here but that doesn’t mean there is no progress. It just happens on a different schedule, with a different focus on what’s important.
To anyone who’s grown up in an environment where deadlines dominate the day and the customer is always right, this can be confusing and frustrating. But it’s really just another adjustment to this new lifestyle where priorities shift with the sun. The need to learn time management is soon replaced with the need to learn flexibility and patience. It’s a new way to labour.
Oh crap, I lost track of the time. Now I’m late for work …
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PS: Thanks to DaddyP, Daisyfae, Somnambulist, djbeat, Sylvied, Stinkypaw, Lo TG and Surftwin for their comments on Tiles Apart
I suspect the difference is – YOUR windows MAY be done some time this year, MY fields will be done when they need doing. There’s certainly a need for patience.
Cracking photo Tango ……. and stop saying the word ‘work’ …. I don’t like it ….
As a refugee from the world of NOW and URGENT, in a country where ‘next week’ means ‘probably never unless you stick me day & night like a tick’..always carry a book..and an i-pod..and relax, you’ve joined the majority
TG: This patience thing doesn’t always come easy, especially when it comes to imaginary windows …
DaddyP: I cannot take credit for the beautiful photo but it does work, doesn’t it? Ooops …
Refugee: Welcome! It’s always nice to hear from another who has fled the NOW and URGENT. The book and iPod have become essential accessories for my Relaxation 101 training courses …
i fantasize about life without ‘now and urgent’ – but know the transition would give me whiplash! someday… there is a motorcycle in my future, and a bartending license ahead.
and i’m taking notes from Ms. Tango!
Daisyfae: I yearn for a neck massage every night but I highly recommend a motorcycle to escape the NOW and URGENT; it’s the most fabulous feeling when everything dissolves except for you, the bike and the road ahead. And I can’t imagine a better bartender anywhere …
I reckon that Daisy would drink the profits – tee hee
winding down…..
in africa we learned that ‘just now’ means sometime in the future; ‘now now’ means sometime sooner than that – maybe even next week… i don’t think ‘now’ means anything @ all. of course all of this is slightly confusing & distressing when dealing with visas in the government office.
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Mommabeat: So are you coming to Portugal now now or just now?
Gorgeous photo… congratulations on passing the exam (although I’m siding with DP here – not sure about all the ‘work’ !
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Thanks Schlafwanderer! Yes, this thing called “work” is highly overrated and very inefficient …
[...] for thought this week. She asked, “What are you waiting for today?” and suddenly all my earlier notions of patience went out the window. Well, out the imaginary window [...]