parsnip-io

That really is the lowest of the low. Can the benches not be marked in anyway to deter thieves - e.g. deep carved inscriptions? If these are commemorative benches perhaps carving the inscription would lessen their desirability (rather than brass plaques that are screwed on, and can be removed)? A more expensive process, but if benches are going to replaced every time they are stolen possibly more cost-effective in the long-run? Just so depressing.

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KalamityKel Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Ive always found it quite boring, about other > parts of the borough and out of date What's wrong with finding out about other parts of the borough? There's a whole life universe outside of the warm, fuzzy ED bubble you know...

Wow - full marks for scoring Harriet Harman's presence. Have lived in her constituency for 10 years - and have never once seen her 'on her beat'. Might come along - just to see if she really does exist :)

gerritsmith Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Please teach their staff basic hygiene. > > I have seen: > > a member of staff sneeze in his hands and continue > stacking apples. > a check out staff sneeze in her hands and continue > scanning foodstuff. > a check out staff put a finger in her ear and > violently shaking it and continue scanning > foodstuff. > a check out staff wipe her nose with the palm of > her hand and continue scanning foodstuff. > a check out staff with heavy cold was holding on > to her used tissue while scanning foodstuff. > often checkout staff scratch their heads > > Please ask the manager to make sure that the staff > do not touch their nose, ears, head with their > hands when handling food. > > Also will it be possible to keep the conveyor > belts near the tills clean. I can top that.... I was buying some stamps at the cigarette / chocolate counter a couple of months back; the guy serving me took out a tube of antiseptic ointment, removed a dressing on his arm and then proceeded to rub the cream into what appeared to be a freshly-needled tattoo. Dumbstruck. Phoned the store when I got home to complain - but was told by some bored-sounding person at the other end 'that the complaint would be passed on'. Kind of guessed from the way the person answered the phone that the complaint wasn't noted....

It's the eclectic mix which makes it interesting. I'd rather have Dog About Town over an identi-kit coffee shop chain any day; lovely people, have been part of the road for years, and great window peeking entertainment. If you ever get a chance watch the movie 'Last Orders' (Helen Mirren, Michael Caine et al) - Bellenden Road (and Dog About Town) figures prominently. How can a SE London road immortalised on film ever close down?! Pah! Never!

louisiana Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > And then on to the opthalmologist. What a 'mare. > Treated me like an imbecile. I'd clearly received > a letter, according to her, as I was there. She > hadn't heard of Choose and Book (by phone), and > didn't seem bothered in finding out now. I must be > lying or stupid, was the tenor of her words. But > she couldn't care less, "It's nothing to do with > me!", she shouted at close quarters. Imagine > somebody with their fingers stuck in their ears > going "Ooooooo, I can't hear you..." in a loud > voice, and you get the measure of the encounter. > (A comparison: I recently went to an appointment > at Moorfields eye hospital, and there could not > have been a greater chasm between the two > opthalmologists.) I don't know if she behaves the > same way to all patients, but if she was my > employee and behaved in such a way she'd be out of > the door pronto. > Interesting. I was taken to A&E last year with an emergency eye problem, and saw a particularly rude opthalmologist (female, and, I thought from her accent possibly E. European - same one Louisiana?). She kept me waiting, alone, for nearly an hour (and virtually blind due to the drops in my eyes) while she went off to find some piece of equipment in another building - over the road. She then came back and started ranting loudly about how inept the department and its facilities were. Slammed drawers, cursed the equipment, and was generally aggressive in her manner. Quite frankly the last thing I needed while sat there terrified as to what was happening with my sight. Was just glad to get out. Felt she was annoyed that she had to see a patient at all (agree - Moorfields, as a specialist hospital, is the better choice for eye problems). The episode shocked me as whenever I have been at Kings, for whatever reason, I have always been incredibly impressed and reassured by the medical staff (my daughter being alive today is something I have to thank them for). And, sadly, as with most NHS establishments (Kings not the only case) the admin does tend to be shambolic; you have to drive the whole process yourself or complain to get anywhere in, or up, the system.

A wig and fish emporium. Everything that puts the 'y' in Rye, under one glorious roof.

As a dog owner, and park walker, that's a worrying incident. In the Summer we saw posters up on a tree (Dulwich Park) of a small dog that had disappeared while out for a walk in the park (I think it was a Maltese terrier type of dog). So I can only assume from that, that it has happened before. Devastating for the owners. Because of that we always keep our dog within range, never letting him run out of eye-shot. As KalamityKate says - would be interesting to know your dog's breed, so others can be alerted.