First Name

Now I know why I need the Chariot. If your e-mail service didn’t work in the last hour – you can blame me. I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if the e-mail I’ve just blasted to my electricity supplier burnt the system to a cinder…

For some reason, not at the moment ascertainable, Bearsy put the electricity account in his name. I have a query on the bill, but due to *!*!* Privacy laws I cannot get an answer to that query. I have explained on the phone and by e-mail – and all I’ve got is the ‘Standard Reply’: Bearsy must contact them directly and make me an ‘authorised’ person … I have asked whether the electricity company will accept ‘my’ money to pay the bill that I’m not allowed to query… Well, we all know the answer to that.

The reply to my e-mail set off my ‘red haze’. Apart from repeating what I’d already been told, I really do mind people assuming that they can use my first name when they reply to my ‘formal’ enquiries. I always tell people they can call me ‘Boadicea’ – but that’s my choice and not theirs!

Of course, I realise that Angel, who answered my e-mail, is the cat I would like to kick at the moment, and can’t since we don’t have a cat, and I wouldn’t kick anyway even if we had one… but I really can do without legal restrictions and impertinences at this time.

I’m impressed by the level of care that Bearsy has received and by the courtesy and dignity that he is accorded. I’m included in all the discussions about what is happening and asked for details to facilitate his recovery. I’m even given lunch to ensure that I don’t end up in the bed next to him!

He is doing pretty well. The docs who said that he should have been dead on arrival are well pleased that he has suffered no physical effects. The physiotherapists told me today that he is ready to go to the gym. I laughed, since that will be a novel experience!

He is engaging more with the outside world – and his ‘rotten’ sense of humour (and contrariness- but not grumpiness!) are shining through. We’re now working on the next stage of re-hab.

17 thoughts on “First Name”

  2. Great news about Bearsy, but keep an eye on your own blood pressure, Boadicea. We had the same sort of problems when daughter’s bag was stolen in Buenos Aires. We had a list of details and phoned to cancel her credit cards, phone, etc. Explaining in words of one syllable that daughter couldn’t contact them herself because her bag with phone and cards had been stolen and we had to be her agents got us nowhere. Thankfully the British Embassy was very helpful and brother-in-law in the States managed to get some dollars to her. I think the crowning glory was when B*card finally agreed to cancel her card and report it as stolen but refused to send a replacement because Argentina is “a very unsafe place, you know, there’s a lot of crime”.

  3. That is really good news about Bearsy. I hope he continues to progress as rapidly.

    As regards rude communications with the utility companies, I always find that using the handle after my name has an effect. I know it shouldn’t, but it does!

  4. Hello Boadicea, your post made me smile.

    Don’t take this the wrong way, but it is somewhat gratifying to hear that the citizens of other countries are also made to suffer pig-headed bureaucracy. I though it was just we long suffering residents of SA.

    But on a happier note, I am glad to hear Bearsy is doing so well and that the medical service has come up trumps. I sympathise with regards to the gym. Tedious places. Best wishes to you both.

  6. Sorry to hear about your electricity co frustrations, Boadicea, but delighted to hear how well the Bear is progressing and being cared for. I was in hospital twice in Oz (Canberra and Queensland) and had no complaints whatsoever (even the food was good!), but it was a long time ago.

  7. In future just pretend to be him, how the hell are they going to know from whence an email?
    Too much honesty is totally counter productive!
    Glad to hear he’s still firmly attached to that twig.

  8. Write a letter and get Bearsy to make his mark, authorised by medical staff? Temporary power of attorney?
    How very frustrating.
    We have had similar problems with banks and parents.

  9. Boa, glad things are progressing well. Bureaucracy is here to try us and try us it does! Hang in there! CO seems to have the answer!

  10. Btw, Boa, I think a suitably abusive cinquain about the utility person might be therapeutic!

  11. Absolutely agree with you, Tina.

    I either lower my voice dramatically, or find a male friend to brief and these tedious problems are solved.

    Boadicea.

    Much cheered by your news about Bearsy’s progress, and the way the hospital has responded. You have at least been spared doing battle on that front.

  12. You’re quite right, Christina. If ever I have to do such a thing again, I shall simply lie in my teeth and claim to be my daughter or the person concerned.

  13. Great news, Boadicea, although it would be unfair not to warn the electricity company what is undoubtedly coming their way when Bearsy is operating at 100%.

    OZ

  14. Yeah, pragmatism beats stomach acid any day!
    Have wonderful visions of Bo in a deep brown voice ringing up and announcing- “Bearsy here!”
    The boy was frequently deputed to be me in the UK when I was here, saved the price of a transatlantic call in those days, now of course they are virtually free.
    He did doughty battle with the council on many occasion in a ‘high voice’.

  17. Glad to hear Bearsy is making progress, please give him my best wishes. As to the problem of the jobsworth I use this little technique when I run into one, which is happening more and more.
    1. Keep your cool, they are itching for you to lose your temper and start raging at them, this gives them the opportunity to slip into even more stupidity, dont give them he satisfaction.
    2. In a very reasonable tone start agreeing with everything they say, sympathise with them, tell them it must be a very difficult job they have, and that you would not like to do it.
    3. Agree that rules are rules and that procedures must be kept and then drop this ito the conversation. “I’m sure you are following things to the letter but just in case there are any breaches of the charter those regulations are written by you had better let me have the name of the person in charge.”
    4. Then expalin that you may shortly be in a position to mention this incident to a Government select committee you may be invited to and that you would not wish to get anyone in trouble if they are doing something wrong.

    You are not telling them that you WILL be sitting on a committee, but who knows, you may well be invited to give evidence, stranger things have happened.
    All you are doing is playing the jobsworth’s at their own game by sounding reasonable and concerned that you may bring retribution down on their heads if they are doing something that is not in your interests.

    I have tried this twice, both in medical situations and have had a specialist turn white in front of me while I stood in front of her all smiles and sweetness and light.

    Have fun.

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