On the Dot...

The picture taken at It-Torri, in Sliema, above speaks for itself. The sign and the legend attached to it say one thing. The way it has been (man)handled says another, and the private cars beyond it make a further statement.

Dotted Lines

It would seem that, ironically, the Ministry of Information Technology and Government Investments is not technologically-enabled enough to provide the public with a centralised customer care section, which could then refer queries to one of the vast number of corporations under its aegis. As a result, callers often find themselves being passed on from one office to another, wasting their own time and that of the employees who answer them.

Smelling Salts

Hanging in the air from the early afternoon, from the breakwater to Bognor Beach, in Bugibba, is the pervasive smell of diesel, undoubtedly from the several motorised seacraft in the locality. Sure enough, by 5 p.m., patches of translucent liquid floating on the water start making their way inland.

Pillars of Strength

When these columns suggested that the old Chalet, in Sliema ought to be torn down, to prevent it being used as one very dangerous sundeck, self-styled conservationists had called for its preservation as a sort of national monument. This summer, still, despite it being designated a dangerous building, people are still (mis)using it, showing off by jumping into the sea from its heights. Will it take a serious accident to get things moving?

Yellow Peril

Last Monday, two government employees in a pick-up truck were going around Valletta sprucing up the yellow lines painted on the road to indicate reserved parking spaces and the like. Anyone passing by them could smell the acrid product; yet, the men were not wearing safety gear.

Writer's Cramp

Surly it is unfair that the position of persons employed as clerks in state schools is still a temporary one. These people, dealing with ever-increasing workloads during the scholastic year, and are paid a pittance for doing it, have to register with the social services department during the summer months.

Extra Duty

Extras in the film "Troy" complain of having had to wait for a long time to get their payment for their services in the film over the past days. The cheques should have been sent by post, frustrated callers said.

Builder's (T)rubble

It was a relief for residents of places immediately next door to building sites, especially those listed as prime tourism-related areas, to hear of the restrictions imposed upon working hours. A breath full of brick dust, however, soon followed this, because in some places, work starts as early as 5 a.m. "because of the heat". In the evening, the discotheque set takes over, leaving precious little time for the relaxation for which one would have paid dearly.

Fingers in Pies

An automated palm-print system, already in use in at least one parastatal corporation, could somewhat ease the problem of the influx of foreigners without the legal right to enter Malta. The simple ruse of altering the spelling of one's name after being deported, in order to regain an entry permit, would thus be eliminated.

Seat Sites

Owners of bayside establishments appear to think that plonking down a number of loungers, umbrellas, chairs and tables in a particular place implies they are now in possession of public land. Some of these "concessions" gradually acquire the buildings to house the paraphernalia and, who knows, they may actually get to become permanent by right of prescription.

Child's Play

Whether it is serving at tables and getting to keep the tips, or supervising merchandise lest it be shoplifted, or else actually serving customers in shops or roadside stalls, the fact remains that all the above falls under the dreaded heading of "child labour". What is being done to curb this abuse, especially rampant in the summer months?

Belling the Cats

In an effort to avoid the stultifying heat, some people tend to switch on all the fans available in a house, while at the same time opening the windows. This lets in the cacophony of noise from passing vehicles - but also the incessant ringing of bells. It is a pity that some parishes actually encourage bell-ringing at all hours; this does not indicate respect for the elderly, or the sick.

Bagging to Differ

The organisers of the traditional xalata on the morrow of a feast have a lot to answer for. Rarely do they bother to take a whole roll of garbage bags with them, so that the families participating can put their rubbish in them and leave them neatly arrayed for collection the next day. One notes that not too many people take bother to "take away" their rubbish for home disposal and, as a result, the bins in the area are filled to overflowing in no time.