Então

I posted this on facebook the other day, but I think it merits its own blog post.

Então might be the most commonly used word in the Portuguese language. Or at least in Sao Paulo, where there is a bevy of excuses for being inexcusably late for meetings or deadlines.

Então... = So...
So, I didn't show up to the meeting because of... (get ready for the excuse)

...the rain
...the traffic
...my last meeting went late
...the traffic
...I lost (missed) my flight.
...the traffic
...etc.
"Infelizmente..." it was IMPOSSIBLE!

Of course it was! (insert eye roll here)