It all started when I switched on my computer.
Almost immediately, a warning popped up from my anti-virus software informing me that I needed an urgent free upgrade. No problem I thought, so I clicked the buttons only to find that I would have to pay for the upgrade. What happened to free?
Anyway, the post soon arrived and I was pleased to see that the cheque had finally arrived from my county council for some work I had done weeks earlier. Like most large organisations or businesses, they routinely ignore any 30, 60 or 90 day payment terms and cough up whenever they feel like it.
Clutching my cheque, I headed for my local bank to pay it in.
The smiling cashier with a badge saying ‘Pat’ on her left breast, said that I was overdue for a review of my account, so could I make an appointment? I told her that the last time my wife and I took time off from work to attend a review, all they wanted to do was sell us their services. No, no she insisted, this is about important changes to your terms and conditions – you could see somebody now if you have the time.
This sounded serious so I thought that I had better comply.
I was ushered into a tiny office to meet the Senior Personal Banking Manager. She informed me sternly that my review was overdue, so I explained that the last time my wife and I took time off from work to attend a review, all they wanted to do was sell us services we didn’t need. She apologised about that and proceeded to try to sell me other bank services. What about the change in their terms and conditions I asked?
She looked puzzled . .
Back home in my office I turned on the radio to listen to a phone-in on the student protests or ‘riots’ that occurred in London. People were phoning in saying that the rioting students should be shot, hanged or worse as their actions were anti-democratic.
Why is it that nobody thought to mention the fact that the main reason the students were protesting was the fact that they had been comprehensively lied to by the Deputy Prime Minister?
Could it be that lies and deceit are now just a routine part of everyday life?
