‘We won’t complain’
An elderly couple pause to let a woman squeeze her pushchair between the retail stand and the high black wall of hoarding panels that cordon off the roadworks on Valletta’s Republic Street.
She huffs, glaring angrily at the fencing on one of the capital city’s busiest streets, between Archbishop and St Christopher, leaving only a very narrow path for people to walk through.
The works are extensive, involving water and communications infrastructure as well as the reclamation and relaying of original tiling blocks found under the asphalt. Transport Malta said it expects to open the road again before the end of September.
But in the meantime, the inconvenience seems to have annoyed shop owners too. Notices hanging on two restaurant doors inform patrons they will be closed for business until the road construction is completed.
One venue, however, has taken a more creative approach.
“The effect these works had on our business is dramatic. We had a 50 per cent drop in customers. But these things are to be expected – if the work needs to be done, it has to be done,” the owner of Margo’s restaurant, Claude Camilleri, told The Times.
“However, if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade. Our message is a positive one: we refuse to complain.”
The restaurant decided to remain open and put up a large, colourful poster to cover the dull panels opposite the place.
The poster is not an advert, and does not invite people to enter the restaurant. It depicts a young woman accompanied by a short poem written by a patron about who he thinks Margo is.
Margo’s has in the past months encouraged people to send photos of “Margo” and write a short piece to go with their picture. One of these entries was chosen and splashed on the panels.
“We have a very loyal clientele and employ 23 people, so we cannot close, because we will upset a lot of people. But it’s not nice to look out and see darkness all day,” Mr Camilleri said.
With their neighbours’ permission, he hopes they will put up more posters. But to date, they have not been told how long the work will go on for.
“Our message is a positive one. Even when things are not going right, we should be grateful for the wonderful things surrounding us.
“We want people to stop and smile, to think how lucky we are despite the difficulties we face.
“Things don’t always go as we want them to, but we have to look at the big picture and take advantage of the situation. If we complain less, we achieve more,” he added.
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45 Comments
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Paul Borg
Aug 8th 2012, 08:34
Oh doesn,t it break your heart. Probably this gentleman is not paying 125 euros a day for rent. And right now I am one of those persons paying such high rent and with 65% drop in sales. I will complain when the time comes. Two weeks ago it was a 17 hour power cut" who knows what's next.
J Azzopardi
Aug 7th 2012, 19:04
yes very clever indeed and very positive ,best way to advertise, and won't cost you a cent, very welldone
Brendon Borg
Aug 7th 2012, 16:15
A step away from the moaning tradition would definately do us well. Well done Claude, instead of wasting your time complaining, you saw an oppurtunity in the problem........the feedback from new customers looks very well :-).
O Bonello
Aug 7th 2012, 15:34
A definite visit to this restaurant in the coming days..... If they have such a positive outlook on life I am posiitve they give the best service
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Aug 7th 2012, 15:07
You can tell an election is close by the frantic repairs being carried out in many of Malta's principal roads. And all the same time, x'kumbinazzjoni! It is so obvious that GonziPN is frantically trying to send out a message that they are working.
C Cassar
Aug 7th 2012, 17:09
Er, wrong. EU funds (without which Malta would resemble Libya 30 years ago) need to be used by certain dates otherwise they have to be paid back. So, on the contrary to your thinking, it's because of the PN that Malta is an EU member and because of that fact Malta has the luxury of funding reaching 85% funding from the EU for the many projects that you, as a Maltese citizen, directly benefit.
Jason Zammit
Aug 7th 2012, 17:13
Get a life siehbi......Mela jekk ma jsirx xejn ghax ma sarx xejn , jekk isir ghax gejja lelezjoni ...... Kif qatt mintom Kuntenti bxejn intom il lejburisti ????? Nahseb jekk Joseph fuq ir rubini inkunu ........ taf xhemm fil pajjizi girien taghna ???? taf ??? Glied , protesti, tkissir, qadd kbir il fuq min 20%.......Mur gibek tejx xikien go dawn il pajjizi int .......
S. Cuschieri
Aug 7th 2012, 18:39
Skont Joey ilha 4 snin gejja l-elezzjoni Mr. Camilleri, allura il-gvern jaghmel 4 snin ma jaghmel xejn???? Ghal kuntrarju, ilu 4 snin jsebbah il-pajjiz u jaghmel xoghol biex INTI bhala cittadin Malti tkun tista tgawdih..... imma leeeee.... neqirdu irridu biss hux!!!
Andrew John Mercieca
Aug 8th 2012, 08:05
Moaner. Be grateful and look out from our tiny island and see what s happening around us.
Deirdre Farrugia
Aug 7th 2012, 14:46
Ahhhh how refreshing to find a positive attitude! So bored of reading moans and groans on this website! Well done Margos, have never been to your establishment but think it's time I did! :)
C Muscat
Aug 7th 2012, 14:34
if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade...
I just read that juice from a fresh lemon in the morning will keep away many forms of cancer....
Angela Galea
Aug 7th 2012, 14:22
Well done Mr. Camilleri. Well done indeed. What a positive attitude and energy. I hope many will emulate your concept.
E. Buhagiar
Aug 7th 2012, 14:16
U la kulhadd ferhan u kulhadd ta' rieda tajba, forsi nnehhu dawk l-istands minn fuq il-bankina darba għal dejjem, u l-pushchair tkun tista' tgħaddi b'iktar facilita'!
S.M. Cuschieri
Aug 7th 2012, 14:12
Mr Camilleri, you put a smile on my face on reading this article. May this lesson be learnt by all and well done, for taking such a positive attitude!!!!
j brincat
Aug 7th 2012, 14:01
It's ONLY when you complain that the PN posters swoop on you cause they think you are attacking their GonziPN!
But is this the REALLY the big picture? How many are complaining BUT silently?
(jb)
Mark Spiteri
Aug 7th 2012, 14:24
do you always have to bring in politics into an article ppfffff? why not say that there are still people amongst us who do not consider life to be all doom and gloom....as poeple of your likes
Gordon Galea
Aug 7th 2012, 14:28
get a life and spare us from your depressive comments please, thanks.
B Ellul
Aug 7th 2012, 15:29
j brincat, are you the same person who sat next to Alfred Sant when YOU declared that the EU referendum was won by the NO? hehe, would like to know this so I'll start weighing your omments
Martin Cole
Aug 7th 2012, 17:04
Wow! with Mr (jb)'s attitude, is it wise to vote for the party he fanatically puts forward!
Relax, have a Pizza!
Michael Sammut
Aug 7th 2012, 13:59
That's the spirit...that's the way forward...positive thinking!
A Cuschieri
Aug 7th 2012, 13:58
Finally some positive thinking ... well done!
Vincent Galea
Aug 7th 2012, 13:58
Some people identify themselves with their faults, weaknesses and limitations.This weakens and limits them.
Others identify themselves with their virtues, skills,and positive qualities. This strenghtens them and bring out their best.
J Micallef
Aug 7th 2012, 13:53
One more good reason to visit this shop next time I'm in Valletta.
A Cachia
Aug 7th 2012, 13:43
Mela hekk.....Prosit!
A. Schembri
Aug 7th 2012, 13:41
Well done.... plenty plenty plenty
A. Schembri
Aug 7th 2012, 13:40
Things don’t always go as we want them to, but we have to look at the big picture and take advantage of the situation. If we complain less, we achieve more
NOW THAT IS THE ATTITUDE.
TIMES OF MALTA, CAN WE HAVE THIS MESSAGE AS A HEADING PLACED ABOVE THE COMMENTS SUBMISSION FORM.
Patricia Glover
Aug 7th 2012, 13:32
Well done, for your initiative. Staying positive sometimes is hard but I love your attitude to a difficult situation
Mark Spiteri
Aug 7th 2012, 13:26
we've been to Margo's this weekend and the food was as fabulous as always..restaurant was practically full...well done Claude for a wonderful attitude...the Lasallian spirit always prevails
Good luck and keep it up
Martin Cole
Aug 7th 2012, 13:25
Will visit Margo's when next in Malta, probably the No 1 Pizza in Malta, only problem is there is never enough despite the plate size!
Anton Mangion
Aug 7th 2012, 13:19
It has to be Claude.....always with interesting innovations.....keep it up!
Franco Attard Trevisan
Aug 7th 2012, 13:19
that's the way to do it....
"if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade" ........ thumbs up for this one!
Oliver Grech
Aug 7th 2012, 13:16
Well done...that is really creative. You surely got my admiration and deserve a visit. I know which restaurant to go to next time round.
Marika Muscat
Aug 7th 2012, 13:07
What positive vibes!!!! this man runs his business with a passion!!! one of my favourites !!
Francis Raeymaekers
Aug 7th 2012, 12:43
Quite apart from serving the best pizza outside of Naples, Margo's attitude is exemplary. But... it should never have been needed. What sort of administration rips up Republic Street in Valletta in August, peak tourist season? Last sunday I was in Armier Bay for lunch. No booking needed as business is down at least 30%. The same administrationdecided to rip up a major arterial road to Gozo on which all the beach concessions and restaurants of Armier Bay depended. The fact that it will take 2 years, yes TWO YEARS, to build 3 kilometres of road, yes THREE KILOMETRES, seems to have gone unnoticed amongst the misery inflicted on Gozo and the north of Malta. Mellieha is now a 'car park' most days of the week.
Last year the adsministrationintroduced bendy buses to Malta in July and August. Not content with the damage inflicted, they came up with a much better plan this year: rip up the roads in July and August. Perhaps we should all chip in to run our own billboard campaign...
Mark Spiteri
Aug 7th 2012, 14:02
Francis why not take after Claude and be positive my friend...the roads will last for many years to come and many businesses will benefit from all this infrastructure.
Manuel Briffa
Aug 7th 2012, 14:11
Please mister Rainmaker, let us enjoy this fresh attitude just for a day at least. I promise, you can restart your moaning as from tomorrow if you need it so badly.
Jo Gatt
Aug 7th 2012, 11:54
Well! I will be paying this restaurant a visit for sure! What a nice attitude :-)
Michael Borg
Aug 7th 2012, 13:37
me too !!!
vella m
Aug 7th 2012, 10:30
Positive thinking people like Claude Camilleri,should run Malta and not only Margo's.
D Borg
Aug 7th 2012, 13:51
very well said Vella ;)
V. Cauchi
Aug 7th 2012, 10:16
Considering all actions done and all words said, it is simple August heat logic as normally prevails in Malta and southern European countries.
Why should the EU expect us to behave and perform like the rest of northern countries if our climate does not permit it? Why does not the EU adjust all its economic parameters for sub-Alpine and sub-Pyrenees countries the same way the EC did in the late 1950s with its Common Agricultural Policy to please France at the time?
I think the climatic divide, and consequently energy/ financial differentiation between north and south in the EU is too great to leave the climate element uncompensated in any future energy consumption and carbon emission reckoning. Let alone the southern attitude to doing things.
Vince Deguara
Aug 7th 2012, 13:22
What on Earth are you harping about?
I Bugeja
Aug 7th 2012, 13:35
This is not what the EU can or cannot do for us but what we can do to ourselves.
V. Cauchi
Aug 7th 2012, 17:58
The reference to the EU is because such projects usually have a time-limit fixed to them which if not kept, funds will be withdrawn. Little does the EU think of certain hot months when work is difficult to be done. What I am saying is that we have to shed this workhorse mindset and accomplish our works, whether EU generated or home-grown, according to our own climatic and local circumstances, rain and sunshine permitting. In this case I think the major factor has been parliament's summer recess when parking arrangements for MPs and ministers would not be so much in demand.
Ray Buhagiar
Aug 7th 2012, 10:02
Positive Energy is always key to success....Prosit.
Please choose the reason of your report below: