Go to Life in the fast lane--where's the on ramp?
- Add a comment
- Go to The Bureaucratic Merry-Go-Round
Pat
I'm just catching up here, and yes, bureaucrats can drive us all to distraction. But wherever and whenever possible I use the same strategy Bel recommends: I try to form a temporary 'alliance' with the person in front of me, against the 'machinery' in which he/she is just a cog, and it often works...But there's another way - aim higher, i.e. try to get as high up the ladder as possible, and it's something that has also worked well for me...
posted by
Nautikos
on December 5, 2010 at 9:43 AM
| link to this | reply
Actually, Pat-B - government employees in Canada are very well paid (with our money), with good pensions (again, our money), and, in these days, job security alone is high on the list causing 'up-yours' attitudes. But I know what you're saying, about courtesy - even if the voice on the other end or the phone does not deserve it. I just wonder WHY bureaucracy, whether it be university, government or any other establishment, has to be so complicated? If there is a VALID particular reason, I've yet to hear it. I never was a fan of labyrinthes. Give the good old simple things, any day! Great post, but now I think I'll go kick a lawyer...politely....LOL!
posted by
adnohr
on December 5, 2010 at 4:12 AM
| link to this | reply
A lot of truth in this post I think
posted by
malcolm
on December 5, 2010 at 4:07 AM
| link to this | reply
PatB
No other way you could be but helpful and thank you for your very lovely and generous comment to my post on Montreal luv.
posted by
WileyJohn
on December 4, 2010 at 5:49 PM
| link to this | reply
I have found
that when I am really frustrated, the first thing I do is remind myself that often the person in front of me is not the one who caused the problem and often have little power to change it. If I 1. Make the statement that I am frustrated. 2. Explain that if I get heated, it is not directed at them. I know it's not their fault but I am weary from the issue. 3. Ask them to "help me please". I get results everytime and service above and beyond that standard "those are the rules".
Most service workers understand our frustration but that doesn't mean they like it when it's taken out on them.
posted by
Bel_
on December 4, 2010 at 3:57 PM
| link to this | reply
someone has to do it
posted by
Tzippy
on December 4, 2010 at 2:43 PM
| link to this | reply
The Bureaucratic Merry-Go-Round
posted by
Cheerygirl
on December 4, 2010 at 2:32 PM
| link to this | reply
I can do lots of things....but put a formto be filled out into my hand
and my brain turns to jelly.
posted by
Kabu
on December 4, 2010 at 12:42 PM
| link to this | reply