Bigbro's foray into the scary world of blogging
An Irish sean-fhocail claims, "Is fearr cara sa chúirt ná punt sa sporrán." Apart from the obvious update in currency unit required, it's as true as ever in this fair green isle of ours. Getting even the smallest amount of customer service from anywhere here in Ireland seems to require 'knowing a man' (and possibly going to speak with him about a dog, as is the tradition.)
I know people who deal with the internet. Various questions, problems and issues have been dealt with efficiently and with the minimum of fuss - because I've been able to have a word in a few people's ears and they've come up trumps every time.
I don't know anyone in Iarannrod Eireann / Irish Rail and my latest fiasco has been getting issued with a slightly incorrect ticket which won't work in any of the mechanical barriers. I've raised this issue to three people so far in 2 railway stations and all have sympathised, one pointed out the the machine was broken and that I was not the first person to complain that a defective ticket had been issued, but none of them were willing to exchange it for a working ticket. They're happy to let me manually pass through the barriers, but not just replace the broken ticket.
Jobsworth's, shackled to processes and procedures that are inherently defective, are not 'making it happen' and are actively hindering others - unless, of course, you know someone who can bypass the brokeness and make good again. While I appreciate the importance of social networking, next time you're dealing with a stranger, try to remember that they could be a friend you've just not met yet and contemplate on whether you're treating them the same as you would a friend.
My friends are great people, but I shouldn't have to rely on them to make stuff happen. So make stuff happen yourself, and when someone today requests your help with something, make it happen for them whether you know them or not. It'll make their day.
posted at: 11:39 | path: | permanent link to this entry
