[Sundae]

Mildly related - I had to fight really hard to get my tax refund. All scratchy and bitey and pulling hair and all that.

Well, okay - no.
But it took more phone calls than I can list and telling the same story over and over and over again. And assuring the people on the Benefits Helpline that NO I had not received it automatically, but NO that did not mean I was not entitled to it.

In fact I've had to argue for most of the money I've received from the Government. At my first interview at the Job Centre I was advised I might not be eligible for Unemployment Benefit, because I had not worked long enough. 20 years?! She took that comment back and had a proper look at my details then.

Infi Mo, I have every sympathy for your position. I have always been courteous to staff and have tried to accept that they do not make the rules. I took chocs into the Job Centre when I signed off, because although they had nothing to do with me finding work, they were all decent people and they were doing their best.

Some don't though. Woolwich Council losing the copies of my paperwork and sending me threatening letters for example. So I had to wait for 2 hours to get them authorised again. And yet a letter dated TWO WEEKS after I got the second copy authorised was still sent out telling me all my benefits would be cancelled as I had failed to respond.

My DSA being cancelled with 3 days notice because of a decision made months ago. So I had to scrabble around to meet my bills and stop my Direct Debits so that I did not incur fines, and talk to the companies I was paying so they did not take me to court (they were Court agreed payments).

But then I've been at the mercy of my bank too. And public transport. And the NHS. Public servants are people. And people can be good or bad depending on the environment they work in.

It takes a lot for me to blame the staff. If they are polite and apologetic (when I've obviously been put out by something not my fault) then I am the epitome of understanding. Just watch out lazy barstaff or rude waiting staff. I WILL put a rocket up your arses, because I know exactly what you should be doing, and that good service is actually easier than bad service.