A reader sent this picture asking for it to be published. It certainly deserves to be because it conveys both a message and a warning. It is so very easy to be tempted to resort to plagiarism, especially when you are running late in submitting your assignment. If you do, then be prepared to face the consequences should you be caught and nowadays there are ways to check submissions for authenticity.
Good deed
To remain on the subject of students, when will a group of students come forward who, apart from rightly celebrating on their graduation day, formally commit themselves to offer their professional service free of charge for just one day to a charity of their choice? If every graduating student will do that, many people facing various problems could find some relief.
Pole position
An electricity pole lies bang at the centre of a parking space in Marsa, opposite the Scan and Intercomp offices. Now, of course, public roads need to be illuminated but motorists must have places to park too. Surely, an electricity pole should not be erected in a parking space or a white parking space box painted around an electricity pole, whichever came first.
Smoke machine
A street cleaning machine was belching out smoke when being used in Republic Street, Valletta, last week. Even though the air quickly filled with exhaust, the operator still continued unperturbed to the detriment and evident annoyance of passers-by. Shame indeed.
Snail’s pace
A man was run over by a vehicle on the Mrieħel Bypass last Monday morning. This caused a long traffic jam, which made many motorists seek alternative routes, causing traffic jams in many roads in the vicinity. Yet, no traffic police or wardens could be seen to at least ensure that no vehicles were double-parked or delivery cans blocked the road. It seems the best Transport Malta can do to solve traffic problems is to build flyovers. It needs to come out of its slumber.
Roundabout turn?
Last year, plans were announced to build a replica of Fleur-de-Lys arch on the roundabout between St Joseph High Road and the Rabat road. The roundabout as it stood then was torn up and a mound of rubble and debris stood there for months on end. Now this has been cleared and flowers planted. Does this mean the replica arch project has been abandoned or that it will take some time to take shape?
Refused collection
Apart from delivery trucks/vans double-parking and blocking roads as they please, another traffic-congestion culprit is the refuse collector. For obvious reasons their trucks have to move very slowly along the road and often they stop too. So why don’t local councils decide that this job is done during the night? If the councils fail to do it, then perhaps the central government should issue regulations.
Customer care
Lidl may be a leader in terms of the low prices it is able to offer clients but it certainly lags behind in customer care. Long lines of shoppers waiting to pay can frequently be seen in its outlets with no senior staff lifting a finger to see that all checkouts are open. Just as irritating is the fact that staff members tend to go on with their own business in the narrow aisles even when they notice shoppers struggling to get items from the shelves.
Radio chit-chat
Some so-called radio presenters continue to engage in conversation with certain people who phone in without realising that many who are not regular listeners may not be able to follow at all. They speak on a first-name basis and refer to occasions as if every single listener is fully aware of all the details. Evidently there is a ‘class’ of presenters who should either retire or are sent packing.
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