The cause of things
"There is a Portuguese institution that is unique in the whole world. It is the 'by the way'. In other cultures, it would be a pleonasm. In ours, it is part of the bewilderment."
The 'by the way', and the popular variant "Since you're already getting your hands dirty...", mean the particularly Portuguese way of wanting things. The Portuguese do not like to say that they want things. Among us, wanting is considered an act of violence. Therefore, when you arrive at a café, you say that you wanted an espresso and never that you want an espresso. If someone also offers you a spirit, you say: "By the way...". Everything happens in the past tense, in the conditional, in coincidence.»
Miguel Esteves Cardoso (b. 1955) is a writer, columnist, and an influential figure in contemporary Portuguese culture. With a background in Economics and a long career in journalism and communication, he became known for his unique voice, capable of combining humor, lucidity, and a precise observation of everyday life. His work — which includes books such as A Causa das Coisas, Os Meus Problemas and O Amor é Fodido — has evolved over the decades into a more intimate and refined writing, where reflection on love and time takes center stage.
