O problema português não é fazer asneiras.

É ser excessivo na sua análise [na diagonal e de modo demagógico] e nada comunicativo ou cauteloso.

Segue um exemplo oposto, de uma obra que correu mal esta semana -- destaque para as toneladas caídas do céu e para a contaminação de um projecto relacionado com jardinagem -- no centro de Londres, e que recebi por viver nas imediações:


Dear [XXX],

The officers responsible for the [XXX] construction projects report:


During the past few days there has been a series of unexpected setbacks affecting the
progress of the current works, with consequent effects on the rest of the community.

1. Further material containing asbestos has been found in the area of the [XXX] project. This has meant that all work has had to be suspended whilst the area is
decontaminated. Material delivered for installation there has had to be stored around [XXX].

2. The installation of lightning conductors (east side, [XXX] Building) has been
much more difficult than expected: the concrete slab has to be breached at points of
exceptional thickness and hardness, to provide adequate earthing. This extremely noisy process will be completed before the end of this week.

3. The temporary fire-escape stair in the North Court, adjacent to the [XXX], will be dismantled this week. The contractors' huts will follow shortly. The operations should not be intrusive.

4. The final part of the removal of the fuel oil tanks form the [XXX] building was
scheduled for last weekend. When the removal of the scrap was attempted at 0730 on
Monday, the container failed and dumped about 10 tons of scrap metal on the [XXX].
Re-loading and removing this material was an unavoidably noisy and obstructive operation. (The material was directly above [XXX], which was closed for the day as a safety precaution. The [XXX] has now been re-opened, following inspection by a Structural Engineer.)

May I on behalf of the design and the construction teams offer my apologies and thanks for your forbearance.

[XXX]
Client Liaison Officer
Estates Department

To which I add my own apologies,

[XXX].


[XXX]
Director
[XXX]

Phone: [XXX]
Fax: [XXX]