The grumpy thread

[wuvvum]

Just had a text from my mum - the Mother's day card I sent her arrived today.  It was posted, first class, on Thursday of last week.  Not impressed.  At all.

[Jazoli]

We are lucky to get post once a week, and its about 5pm when it finally arrives, an absolute joke of a service now.

[Datsuncog]

Seems that parcels are heavily prioritised by RM management these days, while letters can go whistle. Which is a bit of a disgrace, given the much-increased cost of standard letter stamps over the past few years while parcels have actually become cheaper to send. 

On the flipside of this, I posted a parcel in Belfast, standard second class, on Wednesday lunchtime.

It was delivered to its destination in Essex on Thursday morning.

I'm glad I didn't bother stumping up £14 for next day guaranteed... especially as the one time I did pay for next day guaranteed, it got lost for a month...

[Yoss]

We (posties) have a thing called lapsing. A delivery will be 'lapsed'. That is it will be broken up into probably twenty bits and spread amongst the other duties. There's five duties lapsed in our office. It used to only happen if it was considered a light day and we had time to spare. Now it is permanent simply due to lack of staff. 

But a lot of the duties are already too long so they don't have time for the lapsing so it gets left behind day after day and maybe once a week they will find somebody to clear it all up. 

On top of that if you have the audacity to actually have a week off you'll be lucky if it goes out twice in that week and you fully expect to come back to right shit show that will take another week to clear. 

It is disgraceful but now seems to be a permanent state of affairs. We're all as pissed off about it as you are. 

[richardmorris]

26 minutes ago, Yoss said:

We (posties) have a thing called lapsing. A delivery will be 'lapsed'. That is it will be broken up into probably twenty bits and spread amongst the other duties. There's five duties lapsed in our office. It used to only happen if it was considered a light day and we had time to spare. Now it is permanent simply due to lack of staff. 

But a lot of the duties are already too long so they don't have time for the lapsing so it gets left behind day after day and maybe once a week they will find somebody to clear it all up. 

On top of that if you have the audacity to actually have a week off you'll be lucky if it goes out twice in that week and you fully expect to come back to right shit show that will take another week to clear. 

It is disgraceful but now seems to be a permanent state of affairs. We're all as pissed off about it as you are. 

Your ultimate boss seemed to lie about this to parliament according to letters to private eye . At the moment we are getting two deliveries a week to work and similar to home ( same DO). I am sure it’s not the fault of delivery staff.

[Yoss]

Yeah, that was quite funny. He was either blatantly lying or genuinely has no idea what is going on in the the company he is supposed to be in charge of. Either way he has been shown up to be completely out of his depth. 

After he got recalled to Parliament and lied* a second time the Select Committee have referred us to Ofcom as we are clearly not fulfilling our Universal Service Obligation. Don't know if it will make any difference. They can fine us but if the fine is smaller than the money they are saving from being about 20% short staffed they will probably consider it a win. 

*allegedly (wink) 

[Spiny Norman]

I must just be lucky with post. I usually get second class stuff two or three days after it was posted, even from S. England and today I got a letter posted yesterday first class, admittedly from only 5 miles away.
I'll always use RM for sending stuff I sell on eBay, I don't care if Evri/Herpes etc are a quid cheaper I like my stuff arriving.  Likewise I'll always try and buy from someone using the postal system if for no other reason than I tend to be in when the postie gets hare and if I'm not the local sorting office is literally three streets away.

 

[catsinthewelder]

Vehicles are proving quite stressful this week.

The MOT has run out on my Focus, this is deliberate as it was due just after Miss C's Corsa.  I'm about to go away for 10 days or so and the Dacia was running well so I figured I could use it and the motorbike for a bit then put the car through the test when I got back giving a good gap between tests.

A friend then messaged, flying into Birmingham tomorrow and my lift home is stuck in France, can you get me?  I didn't really want to, so explained my only legal vehicle was designed in the 60s.  She still needed a lift and was up for an adventure.  This was slightly more of an adventure than planned as a brake pipe burst on the way back!  Fortunately we still made it home without hitting anything.

Down to the bike then, theoretically everywhere I thought I needed to go was doable but since then I've found I need to take the girls to all sorts of things.  This led to me driving home in a Luton van last night so I could attend a parents evening that lasted 5 minutes.

MOT is now booked for Tuesday, if it's a tricky fail he'll be fixing the brake pipe instead!

On the plus side at least I don't need to fetch Schrodingers campervan on Monday now.  Idiot converter has found some money and bought it from the owner. 

[Metal Guru]

9 hours ago, warch said:

Bloody hell, I'm agreeing with something written by Lord Frost. Time to hand in my Labour Party membership card. 

Lockdown was a curious imposition. No western country had ever used such draconian measures to control its people before (albeit what we actually got in the UK was very much less draconian than places like Australia). The weird thing was that it was accepted without any criticism or debate. Anyone who did criticise or question it was dismissed as a covidiot or a covid denier. Unusually some of the first people who did dissent from the approved measures were in fact the people responsible for their imposition, e.g. Neil Ferguson, Catherine Calderwood, Dominic Cummings, followed by lots of politicians including notably the Prime Minister and then the Health Secretary (FFS!). I really do think the whole process caused massive long lasting social and economic harm, and resulted in a lasting lack of faith in the government and various government agencies. 

I do think the government was effectively forced into the measures it took, the media, specialist advisors and the risk of looking like the odd man out (ironic because Brexit) meant that they were unlikely to have considered any other path. One of the problems with following scientific or medical advice was that the worst case scenario had to be considered, the greater good was the only consideration (to the detriment of the individual) and there was a lack of consideration of non medical considerations, like mental health or social well being. Decisions were not made or considered holistically, they simply dealt with the matter of virus containment and ignored any wider or consequent issues.

Speaking personally I quite enjoyed some aspects of lockdown, but I am married with a family, and live in the countryside amongst very few people so I didn't really notice the difference. I'd have felt very differently fifteen or twenty years ago when I was much more socially active. 

 

It’s easy looking back saying this and that we’re unnecessary but at the time, we were really in uncharted territory. This disease was incredibly infectious but somewhat unusually the effects ranged from a trivial cough to death. 

I think the way the vaccines were developed so quickly was incredible ( unless the scientists had a heads up and had been working on it for years, who knows), and the government’s response was initially very good until they started taking the piss.

OK so some people made a lot of money out of things line supplying PPE but that happens in crises. A few people always make a lot of money from other people’s suffering, take wars for example. Not much you can do if what they’re doing us not illegal. Some one has something you need in short supply, if you’ve no scruples ,( I.e a “good” business man ), you charge what you want.

[warch]

5 hours ago, Metal Guru said:

It’s easy looking back saying this and that we’re unnecessary but at the time, we were really in uncharted territory. This disease was incredibly infectious but somewhat unusually the effects ranged from a trivial cough to death. 

I think the way the vaccines were developed so quickly was incredible ( unless the scientists had a heads up and had been working on it for years, who knows), and the government’s response was initially very good until they started taking the piss.

OK so some people made a lot of money out of things line supplying PPE but that happens in crises. A few people always make a lot of money from other people’s suffering, take wars for example. Not much you can do if what they’re doing us not illegal. Some one has something you need in short supply, if you’ve no scruples ,( I.e a “good” business man ), you charge what you want.

To be fair I thought this at the time as well, this isn’t a conclusion I reached with hindsight. It was obvious lockdown and scaring people about a virus that probably wasn’t going to kill or seriously harm most of them was going to cause long term social and mental health issues but this was never apparently a material consideration. 
 

 

 

 

[chadders]

6 hours ago, Metal Guru said:

It’s easy looking back saying this and that we’re unnecessary but at the time, we were really in uncharted territory. This disease was incredibly infectious but somewhat unusually the effects ranged from a trivial cough to death. 

 I think the way the vaccines were developed so quickly was incredible ( unless the scientists had a heads up and had been working on it for years, who knows), and the government’s response was initially very good until they started taking the piss.

OK so some people made a lot of money out of things line supplying PPE but that happens in crises. A few people always make a lot of money from other people’s suffering, take wars for example. Not much you can do if what they’re doing us not illegal. Some one has something you need in short supply, if you’ve no scruples ,( I.e a “good” business man ), you charge what you want.

As far as I remember from discussions, a couple of years or so ago, with someone involved in this Jenner Labs, the people who developed the AZ vaccine, were expecting something like this. They'd monitored SARS and MERS and got a basic 'recipe' together that they then tailored. It still was 24/7 and them being isolated from  their families for a long time to ensure that they didn't catch it.

They also bought in a SARS and MERS expert, along with his samples, from China once the flights restarted. 

 

[fairkens]

6 hours ago, Metal Guru said:

It’s easy looking back saying this and that we’re unnecessary but at the time, we were really in uncharted territory. This disease was incredibly infectious but somewhat unusually the effects ranged from a trivial cough to death. 

I think the way the vaccines were developed so quickly was incredible ( unless the scientists had a heads up and had been working on it for years, who knows), and the government’s response was initially very good until they started taking the piss.

OK so some people made a lot of money out of things line supplying PPE but that happens in crises. A few people always make a lot of money from other people’s suffering, take wars for example. Not much you can do if what they’re doing us not illegal. Some one has something you need in short supply, if you’ve no scruples ,( I.e a “good” business man ), you charge what you want.

The problem is that if the 'some people' made their outrageous profits by being 'friends' with government ministers what you have is corruption. Corruption of a very similar kind (albeit not on the same scale) as 1990s Russia or many other tinpot nations. We should be better than that.

Michelle Mone is just the tip of this vile, sordid iceberg

[warch]

42 minutes ago, chadders said:

As far as I remember from discussions, a couple of years or so ago, with someone involved in this Jenner Labs, the people who developed the AZ vaccine, were expecting something like this. They'd monitored SARS and MERS and got a basic 'recipe' together that they then tailored. It still was 24/7 and them being isolated from  their families for a long time to ensure that they didn't catch it.

They also bought in a SARS and MERS expert, along with his samples, from China once the flights restarted. 

 

I suppose it wasn’t a new thing, we’ve had coronaviruses forever, so there probably was an understanding of how to deal with it. 
 

During 2020 I was listening to a lot of the old Ricky Gervais/Stephen Merchant/Karl Pilkington podcasts that they did for XFM in about 2002. It was interesting in hindsight that SARS (another virus from China) was being talked about as the next global pandemic. Felt very relatable at the time.

[Metal Guru]

4 hours ago, warch said:

I suppose it wasn’t a new thing, we’ve had coronaviruses forever, so there probably was an understanding of how to deal with it. 
 

During 2020 I was listening to a lot of the old Ricky Gervais/Stephen Merchant/Karl Pilkington podcasts that they did for XFM in about 2002. It was interesting in hindsight that SARS (another virus from China) was being talked about as the next global pandemic. Felt very relatable at the time.

I’m sure it was here well before we were told. I’ve not had covid but in Jan 2020 I had all the symptoms as did many peopleI know. None of us had ever been to China.

Just assumed it was a normal winter bug.

[RoverFolkUs]

Don't worry, let's have everyone wait for you while you leave the cycle lane completely unused 👍

🤣

[Pieman]

My take on life after the last three years?

Everyone thinks everything should revolve around themselves all the time because they've forgotten how to interact with others.
The vast majority of people all hate each other.
Nobody can be arsed to do their job properly and there's no incentive to do so.
Those in charge seem to want to keep everyone as downtrodden as possible so that they eventually just give up.

And ever since I have had the virus it's as if it's attacked my brain and removed the parts that allow me to enjoy things - and I almost constantly feel dirty and as if I shouldn't be allowed near other people.  Could this have been its real intention?  To turn everyone against each other and spread hatred and suspicion?

[andyberg]

7 minutes ago, Pieman said:

My take on life after the last three years?

Everyone thinks everything should revolve around themselves all the time because they've forgotten how to interact with others.
The vast majority of people all hate each other.
Nobody can be arsed to do their job properly and there's no incentive to do so.
Those in charge seem to want to keep everyone as downtrodden as possible so that they eventually just give up.

This 100%

[Lankytim]

46 minutes ago, Pieman said:

And ever since I have had the virus it's as if it's attacked my brain and removed the parts that allow me to enjoy things - and I almost constantly feel dirty and as if I shouldn't be allowed near other people.  Could this have been its real intention?  To turn everyone against each other and spread hatred and suspicion?

I don't think there was any intention to do anything, although Covid definitely seems to have an effect on the countries collective psyche.  Maybe there was previously a sense of security everybody had that's now gone. 

[GrumpiusMaximus]

On 3/24/2023 at 9:49 PM, Yoss said:

Yeah, that was quite funny. He was either blatantly lying or genuinely has no idea what is going on in the the company he is supposed to be in charge of. Either way he has been shown up to be completely out of his depth. 

After he got recalled to Parliament and lied* a second time the Select Committee have referred us to Ofcom as we are clearly not fulfilling our Universal Service Obligation. Don't know if it will make any difference. They can fine us but if the fine is smaller than the money they are saving from being about 20% short staffed they will probably consider it a win. 

*allegedly (wink) 

It's such a disgrace too as every single Postie I've ever met have been thoroughly decent and hard-working people. Our current Postie is called Mel and always puts a smiley face on the delivery notes if we're out.  And gives me a wave if she sees me out walking the dog.  I'm so sad about what has happened to Royal Mail.  It deserves so much better and all of you working there deserve so much better.

[Metal Guru]

8 hours ago, RoverFolkUs said:

Don't worry, let's have everyone wait for you while you leave the cycle lane completely unused 👍

🤣

But he’s a PROPER cyclist , don’t you understand?

Proper cyclists can’t use cycle tracks because they are always badly maintained , bumpy and overgrown as you can clearly see!

[warch]

19 hours ago, Metal Guru said:

I’m sure it was here well before we were told. I’ve not had covid but in Jan 2020 I had all the symptoms as did many peopleI know. None of us had ever been to China.

Just assumed it was a normal winter bug.

Likewise, I noticed it because my old boss who never ever took a day off sick was off for over a week with it. 
 

Covid type viruses have existed forever. SARS in 2002 was one iirc. 

One interesting fallout of the authoritarian style of government and media was the rise of the conspiracy theorist. A bloke I know started off as a common or garden anti vaxxer but has graduated to much more advanced theories, the so called war in Ukraine, 911, lizards in Buck Palace etc. 

[Jazoli]

7 hours ago, Metal Guru said:

But he’s a PROPER cyclist , don’t you understand?

Proper cyclists can’t use cycle tracks because they are always badly maintained , bumpy and overgrown as you can clearly see!

Surprised the cunt hasn't got a camera on his helmet too so he can report any 'transgressions' on a daily basis.

[MikeR]

16 hours ago, RoverFolkUs said:

Don't worry, let's have everyone wait for you while you leave the cycle lane completely unused 👍

🤣

the local bone heads in the council are upgrading an EXISTING cycle track past an airfield , it presently consists of a old tarmacd path in quite good condition with a grass verge thats used by the occaisonal bike/ped /broken down car  . thats all gone , will now be a cycle path , foot path , kerbs , no grass and a million notes plashed on it .....

so not only will we have twonks like this ignoring it , part of it will also get dug up soon so a new build estate can can have access ...

a million notes could of gone a long way helping out in other ways , and dont forget our councils are always hard up , rates up etc

[RoverFolkUs]

1 hour ago, MikeR said:

the local bone heads in the council are upgrading an EXISTING cycle track past an airfield , it presently consists of a old tarmacd path in quite good condition with a grass verge thats used by the occaisonal bike/ped /broken down car  . thats all gone , will now be a cycle path , foot path , kerbs , no grass and a million notes plashed on it .....

so not only will we have twonks like this ignoring it , part of it will also get dug up soon so a new build estate can can have access ...

a million notes could of gone a long way helping out in other ways , and dont forget our councils are always hard up , rates up etc

My local council spent ages erecting bus stops for a new business park, they were never used and bulldozed a few months later when they decided to turn that stretch of road near said business park into a dual carriageway 🤦

[catsinthewelder]

That looks like a very nice cycle path but considering how bad most of them are I'm not that surprised that they haven't followed the signs onto it.

Or they might be in the small minority of cyclists and be a complete arsehole.  If so then hopefully they'll run into one of the similar types that drives and the pair can beat each other to death.

[Remspoor]

For those who think life is shit, especially post Covids. Should watch this.

God that is depressing.

 

[horriblemercedes]

23 hours ago, Metal Guru said:

I’m sure it was here well before we were told. I’ve not had covid but in Jan 2020 I had all the symptoms as did many peopleI know. None of us had ever been to China.

Just assumed it was a normal winter bug.

I don't think it was actually identified until 31/12/2019 so I don't think that there was anyone to know or tell us that soon

[horriblemercedes]

3 hours ago, warch said:

Likewise, I noticed it because my old boss who never ever took a day off sick was off for over a week with it. 
 

Covid type viruses have existed forever. SARS in 2002 was one iirc. 

One interesting fallout of the authoritarian style of government and media was the rise of the conspiracy theorist. A bloke I know started off as a common or garden anti vaxxer but has graduated to much more advanced theories, the so called war in Ukraine, 911, lizards in Buck Palace etc. 

That's an interesting observation. You could be right about that.

 

I've also spoken to people who never seemed to be interested in conspiracies but in the last few years have become very interested. Of course, the thing they have in common is a low level of education and corresponding poor critical thinking and articulation

[Soundwave]

Selling some bicycle bits on ebay, haven't sold anything on ebay for a long time and now I remember why... auction hasn't been running for 5 hours yet and I've already had a gauntlet of chancers, lowballers and weirdos messaging me and making offers and being abusive when they're turned down. Such a hostile environment for selling things these days.

[hairnet]

So 7am I checked in for flight and it went ok until I noticed on the boarding pass the seat had changed

That's fair enuff but I've specifically asked the fat bassa seat and £££

They were told this as the change was in the same block just a normal seat

Ok can I have a refund cos the seat is now normal

Erm you'll have to tell reservations and they deal with it

They also didn't tell me why - found from the desk they've changed planes

Wouldn't have minded as they had 12 hours with 3 hours to go to mail me etc

Got to airport as they then just contacted me from 3 hours ago please give more details

I just told them the desk sorted it

Ironically it's the same seat I was in on the way here- plane can't be much different then

Not funny when it's along haul you can't just wait an hour and hop the next one ( looking at you Oman air)

Can Haz pecan pie which surprisingly TSA didn't take any notice if is that cos America