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 by John Clare
7 August 2010 - Dont Get ill in
August
In many countries the system
functions less efficiently during vacation time. Traditionally folk
tend to go on holiday when the long school summer holidays start. This
means short time, inefficiency, backlogs, and general mayhem ensues to
a greater or lesser extent throughout the business world and the
general support systems of the modern state. However, it doesn't
usually mean that if you want to commit a murder then august is
probably the best month for it. It doesn't necessarily mean that you
wont ever be able to complete on your house sale for six weeks. And it
certainly shouldn't mean that if you happen to fall seriously ill
during the last week of july you could possibly be dead three weeks
later because the hospitals wont take in any more casualties, and
doctors are either on holiday en masse, or sticking rigourously to a
summer go-slow.
However, in Portugal things are different. The system comes to a halt
during the last week in July. If, for some reason, you are trying to
complete on a house purchase, you will find not just that your
solicitor is off on his hols for two or three weeks, but that his
entire office shuts down for maybe five weeks.
One can live with this, so long as one is prepared. It is one of the
many reasons why Portugal is an economic basket case, but what about
doctors' surgeries shutting down for five weeks? How about the
hospitals refusing to see you "because no doctors are available"?
Obviously there must be the odd doctor about somewhere, but they
certainly wont be taking in new admissions unless you manage to crawl
into the lobby and proceed to die on the floor. Even then you might be
pushed gently aside and left to die in the corner rather than on the
front mat because you have had the audacity to fall ill during the
summer vacation.
I advertise properties for sale in Northern Portugal. My friend Amelia
finds these amazing, cheap deals, and walks customers through the
purchasing process. However, she is ill. It is now the dreaded month of
august. Her local doctor's surgery is shut for the month. Other doctors
dont want to see her. The fact that she is ill is of no consequence.
What is of importance is that it is august and it is holiday time. Her
illness must wait for september to come round, then she can be dealt
with.
This problem is exacerbated by the Portuguese belief that patients
exist to keep doctors in money. Doctors dont exist to treat patients.
There is in Portugal a totally different view of what professionalism
means. In northern Europe a professional is someone who can be relied
upon, is someone who is good at his job, does not require supervision,
and will be there on time to do a job they have committed to.
In Portugal a professional may be good at his job, and may partake of
some of those other qualities as well, but the over-riding
characteristic of the professional is that he is superior; that he
functions as and when he chooses, and that you are there to provide him
with his living. His main purpose is not necessarily to assist you in
any way.
Be warned, dont get seriously ill in Portugal during august. If you do,
make sure you get airlifted out as fast as you can.
john
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