h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi everyone I'm at work too

and a phrenoligist "Reads" bumps on the head

Oh heck! That's...wow! Learn something new every day and all that.

I've bought a clarinet! Sorry I've got to tell everyone this because I'm so overexcited about having a little case with all the bits and everything.

I'm here (in Lux), supposably working, but in reality getting very peed off at travel agents who don't know what they're doing

Want me to tell you more????

go for it

xx

There's nobody here but us chickens!

Does anyone remember Nightingales and TV sitcom to do with night security?

I've just got up and I might just dawdle to halfords to buy a torque wrench. Why? Because I can

I am not , but I am seeing on tv

I once emailed Channel Four to ask about the possibility of releasing Nightingales on DVD. No luck, unfortunately.

"Evenin' all!"

Otto

Told you I was working... I was too busy to reply to the question about what's a phrenologist...

However, would anyone like a demonstration of what a "Retro-phrenologist" does?

Yes please, but first, my moan about travel agents.

You would think that, these days, when most people can manage to book flights on the net, that a real live customer would be welcomed with open arms...wouldn't you????

I walked in this morning, armed with the flight details I needed for my son to travel unaccompanied to London (hence I can't book it on the internet myself)

I gave the disinterested looking assistant all the details - including having to dash home for a missing address, at which point I specifically asked "Do you need his passport number?" and she specifically answered "No"

On my return (where she noted the address without its post code - so much for "full address please!"), she commented calmly "The flight is not confirmed"

(me)What d'you mean, not confirmed? Will it be confirmed later?
(her)No, it means he's not booked onto that flight.

There appeared to be a full stop after this sentence, so I looked at her, as if to say "and..."

It's probably because they can only take a certain number of unaccompanied minors on each flight.

Again, this appeared to mark the end of her involvement.

Is there a number I can ring?
You could but there's no point, they'll tell you the same thing.
So is it one of the flights, both of them, what other flights are there to Gatwick?

I was getting really annoyed at her now, since I was having to come up with all the options and twist her arm to do them. She sighed and reached for the telephone. A long conversation in French followed, during which it transpired that all she needed was more details from me - like my relationship to the passenger, and - you've guessed it - his passport number!

I'm still fuming at this complete lack of customer service! unfortunately, that appears to be the norm in this part of the world, one of my most frequent triggers of "culture shock"

End of rant.
Thank you for listening

That is the 3rd time in three days that Nightingales has come up. Haven't even thought about it in 5 years and then bang three days in a row....
BCNU - Crescent

Ok, then...

**drags out a large hammer**

If phrenology is the science of determining character traits by lumps on someone's head then retro phrenology is the science of changing character traits by altering the lumps on someone's head...

Who's first? And what particular character trait would you like changed?

Well I'm just fine but I'm sure my friend could do with it, even if the hammer just causes her permanent brain damage

Hmm, sounds like a certain travel agent could do with a little "adjustment therapy"

Are you stuck in froggie land then Luckystar?

the travel agent needs Anne Robbinson treatment

I am out here. Somewhat.

Saturnine, not "somewhat"... you're completely out of it

I'm in Lux - next to, and much influenced by, Froggie land.

Yes, if I'd been conducting the transaction in English I'd have managed a few sarcastic comments (along the lines of What the do they pay you for! or Did you in fact receive *any* training in being a travel agent?)

But sadly my French is competent but basic - I know a few swear words but couldn't figure out where to stick'em.

The annoying thing is, mys son is over 12, so has to pay a full adult fare. Plus a premium to travel unaccompanied. I don't mind paying what has to be paid, but a little service in return would be nice!

money talks

oh yeah? well how come the only thing it says to me is "Goodbye!"

oh! oh! that is more worth! talking money!

hopes does not sing like those fish you can buy!