On the Dot...

Looking out from the bastions of the Lower Barrakka Gardens to admire the fantastic views of Valletta harbour, tourists must be shocked by the miserable state and accumulated rubbish on the roofs of Barriera bonded government stores down below (picture). Opposite the Great Siege Bell, the removal of empty 45 gallon drums in a private site below the balcony will also be beneficial.

Closed Circuit

People who work a six-day week tend to visit their loved ones, whether in hospital or in cemeteries, on Sundays. However, unfortunately, despite the norm in other localities, the cemetery in Qormi remains closed on Sundays.

Food for Thought

A loading-cum-distribution place operates in a residential area in Fleur-de-Lys. Residents are disturbed by the smells, the noise and the vibrations from air-conditioning units. This nuisance has been going on for several months now; however, no one has as yet managed to do anything about it, because of several technicalities.

Road Workings

Workers building the rubble wall in the new road to Mtarfa leading off the new Rabat Road were hard at work on Sunday last. However, one notes that despite the blazing sun, none of them was wearing any head covering and they were handling heavy, rough stones with their bare hands.

Sweet Story

The label on a sweetmeat boldly states Lewz (almonds) yet the ingredients are stated as sugar, egg and "penuts" (sic). When the manufacturers cannot even get the spelling of even such a common word right it is little wonder that even the nomenclature of the product is incorrect.

Hoarding Disaster

Several establishments know that one way to grab attention is to advertise their products upon hoardings in major traffic arteries. This stunt, however, may have dangerous consequences. This is especially so when not only is the driver's attention drawn to subtly suggestive posters but also when a telephone number is included, which one has to repeat often - or take down oneself if there are no passengers in the car - in order to remember it.

Hot Air

Speaking of posters, despite the recently-introduced regulations about there no being any more public advertising connected with smoking, some walls are still adorned with huge advertisements for different brands of cigarettes. Is this because of contractual obligations and penalties or because of lethargy?

Kept Posted

A postcode used in Great Britain some years ago read "Be properly addressed; use the Post Code", with a view to get the message across in a humorous, evocative manner. It would be a good idea were all directories published to include these codes, since, for starters, they form part of one's complete address and make delivery of ordinary mail that much simpler for Maltapost plc staff.

Wheelie Cheap

Several parking spaces are taken up by cars stationed in the general areas of garages offering them for sale, which could otherwise be put to good use by residents. This sometimes happens even when the vehicles are obviously in a state of disrepair and need work before going on the road. Surely this is unfair?

Money Talks

Several people have switched their fixed accounts to savings just so that they may withdraw money from an ATM without having to wait in a queue inside the bank. However, when it is absolutely necessary to check whether one's account has been credited with a certain sum, before using it to pay someone else, it is galling to be told that one has to wait in a queue, nonetheless, just because the machine is not operational at the moment.

Shop Talk

How many shops are still selling single cigarettes to minors, without, of course, giving out fiscal receipts? This does not apply solely to specialised outlets but also to stationers, groceries and bazaars. Children tend to do so in this manner because all they want is a moment's buzz, without the risk of getting caught with a whole packet by their parents or carers. Besides, given the price of cigarettes, they might not even have enough money for a whole packet.

Records Breakers

A lot of fuss is made, and rightly so, whenever another container-load of counterfeit goods is caught by the efficient Customs Department personnel. Yet forged goods exist around us all the time, such as in outlets that promise one three "original" CDs for the 'unique price of Lm10 or a top-brand pair

of shoes for Lm3.50. Perhaps Customs officers ought to be let loose in flea market stalls; they would surely recognise the phoney stuff.

Sick Story

Some people, alas, have to visit hospital often in connection with different medical conditions, sometimes on more than one occasion in the same week. It is not the first time that despite suggestions from these same patients, the search for files only includes a different clinic after the usual praxis has been concluded, thereby resulting in a long, uncalled-for wait by a person who would have already dreaded this other visit.

Double Take

A man complained to a car park attendant that his car was blocked by another and the attendant promptly suggested the man should complain to a local warden just meters away. The attendant then rushed away and was heard telling a man to run as he was about to be booked and fined Lm45. "Now I surely deserve something", he also told the second driver!