On the dot

• It is plain to see that government departments will not be getting refund cheques for being careful in their consumption of electricity. Why else would electric lights be switched on in rooms where there is enough natural light to make this unnecessary? Why else would air conditioning systems be switched on to such a low temperature? Meanwhile, whereas it is understandable that night-watchmen need to ensure security, one wonders whether it is really necessary to have so many lights switched on.

Parking

• It takes red tape to acquire permission to have a reserved parking bay in front of one’s house or shop. So some people get around the problem by putting vegetable crates, chairs or plants on the street surface, instead. A call on a mobile phone advises members of the family that the driver is just around the corner from the house – and, hey presto, the obstacles disappear, and the vehicle slides gently into place. Wardens would do well to check out these silly ruses, as well as drivers who break laws when driving.

Shopping

• What, exactly, does liberalisation mean? A street may contain several shops of the same nature – in fact some streets are famous for this – but when it comes to outlets like pharmacies, this cannot even be contemplated. This amounts to a type of monopoly in any area.

Alcohol

• Despite several attempts for this type of abuse to stop, youngsters may still club together and purchase bottles of spirits from outlets in entertainment areas. This means that they then proceed to pass the bottle round after taking a swill from it, adding a dearth of hygiene to the fact that they will probably end up drunk. Some of the youngsters seen being sick, or crossing roads haphazardly, are often still clutching the bottles in their hands.

Seating

• Which authority, exactly, is it that ascertains how much of the pavement or the street a restaurant or bar may encroach upon for its own use? Residents and passers-by are often tempted to think that the owners of the outlets themselves decide how much public space to (mis)appropriate.

Music

• Despite several suggestions from this column, banks insist on tuning in to news or financial stations on their wide-screen monitors, and yet providing clients with music. Not everyone can lip-read; so why not turn up the sound of the televisions, or tune in to a music station, to do away with this incongruence?

Crematoria

• People keep complaining about the terrible state of the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery, both when it comes to general cleanliness and also health and safety issues. Many of these would not even arise if the issue of the crematorium were solved once and for all.

Patients

• Despite all the improvements in the health system, the fact remains that several people are called for an appointment at times that would be impossible for the consultants to keep, since they are staggered so close to each other. This happens, we are told, because people do not bother to turn up, without calling in to cancel the appointment so that their time slot may be given to others. Of course, people would complain if they were fined for no-shows; but as usual, it is the ones who do turn up, who have to wait needlessly because of those who do not.

Cleaned

• We are informed that the rubbish in the general area of St George’s Bay has been cleaned. One hopes that this will not be a one-off cleaning effort, and that the routine will be ongoing. In the same street, there is a dilapidated building with its facade facing the bay. It is an eyesore in such lovely surroundings. It is also often being used as a public convenience and, and probably for other unsavoury purposes. This must be next on the Local Council’s agenda.

Snacking

• A kiosk just below the Fra Ben Tower in Qawra is apparently under new management. There is no price-list, and there are no prices indicated on any item on sale and on show. Why does one have to request a VAT receipt? Incidentally, the number of open-air chairs and tables has quadrupled recently. However, this also applied to other kiosks on the nearby Qawra promenade.

Considerate

• The driver of the 3 p.m. Żurrieq - Valletta bus on Tuesday, July 27 patiently waited at a number of stops along the route for running persons to reach and board his bus, thus avoiding a long wait for them until the next bus, in the scorching sun. This kind of service contrasts well with drivers who do not stop to pick up some of the long queues at certain bus stops when there is another bus there already.

Billed

• Why is it that nobody answers the telephones when one calls to give water and electricity meter readings, having been out of the house when the meter reader has called? A better solution is to send an e-mail, copying oneself in for reference and confirmation. However, the e-mail address does not appear on the form left by the staff to inform clients that he has called.

Advertising

• The practice of attaching advertising boards to electricity pylons or street signs is gradually being superseded by another one. Telephone booths provide excellent notice boards, apparently; printed papers are attached with packaging tape, in places where there is a lot of foot traffic, on the premise that whereas many people will see them since they are at eye level, they will not be damaged by rain.

Pavements

• The edge of the pavement in the area where there is the Christ the King monument in Floriana is crumbling away. This could be happening because it was not designed for the constant assault from the wheels of cars that park there.