My wife and I returned from a trip to the US last Monday and at the airport we were advised not to try to get to our home via Bay Street because the streets were blocked by BTC trucks. We presumed that they were doing some major work but later learned that they had literally shut down Bay Street and the Paradise Island bridge. From past history I presumed that it was something trivial and serious action should be taken by the Police, considering the hundreds of thousands of dollars that must have been lost because of their actions.
We have later learned that it was all a misunderstanding. Well, now that is different , isn’t it?. We all thought that it was something trivial and the employees and the union bosses should be dealt with in the courts. Don’t we all have the righ to create total havoc because of a misunderstanding. We need to loosen up Bahamians.
When we approached the Immigration officer at the airport we both said "Good afternoon" and got no response. She just stamped our passport and turned towards the next passenger. Reflecting on our visit with the US Immigration officer when we left on our trip, who was very cordial and our trip to Ireland last year when the officer greeted us as if we had made her day by showing up, I felt that the Bahamian officer needed an attitude adjustment. Thinking about it later I thought that perhaps she had been transferred from Hawkins Hill where she was able to hide behind a telephone recording and not have to start her day until she had read the Punch, had her breakfast and spoken with her "sweetie". She couldn’t do that at the airport so I should apologize for my earlier thoughts.
We approached the Customs officer with two large, very heavy bags and two smaller carry-on bags. I placed the first larger bag on the belt incline and he asked me to lift the other one up to the belt. I asked if the belt was not working. He repeated his instruction and I repeated my question. He finally got up off his stool and got into position to activate the belt. There again, I was thinking that we has another officer who needed an attitude adjustment and I was the one who was wrong by causing the officer to actually get off the stool. We must not be so quick to judge.
Perhaps for too long we have been mistaken in thinking that civil servants are supposed to be at work on time and work a full day and the truth is that they should only work when "the spirit moves them". After all, if they don’t feel like working the Unions will take care of them and elephants will fly.
Incredible.
Don’t these government workers realise that they are not forced to work for the government? If they are that unhappy, just resign and move on to a better employer.
Not forced to work, but why not get paid to do as much or as little as you want, with no oversight or accountability?
What other job could you have and be able to be as rude as you like to your customers or bosses?( the taxpaying public)
And don’t forget the power that can be wielded over an unprepared or unsuspecting public.
Besides, you cannot be fired, and can always operate some private business on the side, or charge “facilitation fees” or offer “discounts” to the public on services and taxes like duty or work permit fees.
And lets face it, does anyone in the private sector not cringe when a former public servant approaches for a job
Unless of course you need the special “connections” that they can offer?
But lets be real, are they even aware that happiness is something to be pursued, and that there is such a thing in spite of their civil servant boss who’s only attribute is that he(she) has survived the scourge or purge of the political flavour of the day longer than they have?
There a a few good civil servants around but most are paralysed by their quandry as to whether they should follow the law, or the fellow in charge who dictates the law, right or wrong, and the public be damned.
Rick you are joking? Right? Where are they going to find another employer that will tolerate their work ethic? Why do you think they went to work for Government in the first place? It sure was not to put in a decent days work and be pleasant to those that they are to serve. Don’t you think that would be asking a little to much?
Today I got to do what I don’t often get to do, go shopping, wife is away. I don’t know if I was just fortunate and got to meet some properly trained staff or there has been a change in the attitude of private business employees. Most of the cashiers and sales persons that I came in contact with today, did smile and offer a good morning.
Hi Don’t:
Yes that was tongue in cheek, knowing what you point out is the reason they won’t look for other jobs.
Glad to hear there is an improvement in the private sector. It is a constant battle.
Rick.