A bit too soon.

I seem to be finding myself looking into customer service on a regular basis. Today's thoughts are on the service we receive in restaurants, although the same thing has been commented on by near enough every comedian that has walked this earth. "Is everything ok with your meal?" Is prime comedian bait. 

Usually that question or one of a similar nature is asked when you are about halfway through your meal, this normally occurs when you are halfway through chewing on a steak or painstakingly trying to shovel food into your mouth with chopsticks, the latter usually ends with food flying everywhere as you lose your grip. 

Over time I have noticed that the question gets sooner and sooner, but the other day I think the waitress that bought our food may have made a personal best. Placing the food on the table she left and returned with our drinks seconds later, then the words slipped out. I sat staring at my untouched plate and wondered how I should know. A million witty comments raced through my mind, but because I'm British only one thing could come out of my mouth, "yes, lovely thank you."

Unless something's seriously wrong with the food we never say anything else, instead we keep quiet and smile, only to get home and leave reviews on websites that nobody every really reads. Although I must point out, the meal was exquisite...

A long time to warm up...

Queueing, one of the many things us Brits are good at. However I do find its little unusual that we spend time waiting patiently and when we finally get to the front on the queue we get an apology, lovely, how kind. Then comes the explanation of why.

I've heard many explanations over the years but today I may have found my favourite. The machine, powered by electricity, something that grants instantaneous power to the thing connected to it, is still warming up...

I'm pretty sure that numerous fans are fitted to the machines we use every day, purely to keep them cool, so they function properly. If you are going to make up excuse as to why things aren't working properly at least use the proper terminology, machines power up or boot up. 

On a side note, I'm aware it's Boxing Day but if you are going to work on a holiday it is not great customer service to spend most of the transaction tutting and sighing about everything...

Good Tidings

With Christmas just around the corner I have been thinking about what this time of year means to me. For many people it holds religious significance, others it's about family and friends and for some it's about greed, granted the latter is mainly 10 year olds who haven't learned the meaning of Christmas yet. 

For me, although not celebrated to a degree in the UK I find myself thinking about how thankful I am for what I have got and how happy my life has become. Everybody's life isn't filled with sunshine and rainbows, so my thoughts this festive time go out for those in need and those less fortunate than myself. 

I have seen hardship in the past, not to its worst but there have been times when I've felt lost and alone. But with the support of my family and friends I found myself again. Granted they may not have known they were helping me, but they were. 

So for this entry I would like to dedicate it my family and friends (old and new), who have always been there for me when I needed them most. Thank you...

In A Bleak Midwinter

Today marks the winter solstice or 'midwinter'. Or at least it is for the northern hemisphere. It seems to me to be a forgotten holiday, celebrating the longest night and knowing now that days will gradually get longer. 

The solstice itself is only a moment in time making almost impossible to pin point. But I still think it's worth celebrating. At least now we know that the days are getting longer and the nights are getting shorter. We are halfway out o the dark and I'll drink to that...

A little bit of self advertising

A little push can go a long way, but I've always wondered how far a little push can go. According to blogger I have several readers from around the world, whether they find this blog interesting is beyond my knowledge. 

So to the point, I have a facebook page and a Twitter account, both can be found from the links below, or if you really like what you read then show monetary support on patreon.

Www.facebook.com/Anirregularview

Www.twitter.com/Anirregularview

Www.patreon.com/Anirregularview 

A little help can go a long way. So let's start this little social experiment...

A Bad Reputation

Today I find myself sat outside a supermarket, while watching the world go by, I notice a pest control van parked just over from me. Now as far as I understand all food based establishments will have pest control devices in place, usually in the form of poison traps. This I have no problem with, my problem lies with the van itself. 

The idea of having the traps is a 'just in case' procaution, normally they never get actived and remain tucked out of sight. Every month or so, a representative from the company supplying them will come and make sure they have not fallen into disrepair, this could be general wear and tear or accidental damage. I imagine that this is for one of those checks.

As I said, my thoughts are with the van. Surely most people would see it and think there is an issue, possibly even putting them off going into the establishment, this could cause a substatial loss depending upon the amount of people swayed by the presence. A good solution would be to use a van without the company logo and/or slogans all over it. However I also understand that advertising is important.

So my advice is this, if you do see vans of this nature, ignore them, it's most likely just a routine checkup. And if there is an issue, well, they're there to sort it out...

Sleeping Solutions

Every night we go to sleep, not really giving much thought to the process. But every now and then we lie in bed unable to get comfortable, so we spend ages attempting to get into a position that feels natural. 

Personally I usually start off with my arms crossed across my chest, I call it 'the vampire' however most of the time I find it very difficult to drift off in this position. This is usually followed by 'the roll', a vague attempt to get comfortable by switching from on my back, to the side, on my front and to the other side, only to find myself back in the same position I was originally. It's usually at this point I start to curse my arms as every move I make they are either underneath me or in an unnatural position. Then I usually spend five minutes thinking about a mattress with holes in, so you could lie on your front and dangle your arms through. Although I would imagine that this would solve the issue, it may cause additional ones if you are a restless sleeper and turn over in the night, or if you have monsters under your bed...

Nine times out of ten though, the old faithful comes through, what I call 'the Egyptian'. I usually end up with my arms and legs sprawled out in different directions resembling that of an ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic, this gives me a nice restful sleep and I hope that you find it does too. 

Disclaimer: do not try 'the Egyptian' if you share a bed, while you may get a restful sleep, your partner may not. This can result in bruising...