On Wednesday, 31st October, at 9am, I called the Swieqi local council to enquire about about collection times.

The query is irrelevant. The woman at the other end obviously did not know how to reply. Further to my insistence on the point, she became belligerent and aggressive.

At no time was I rude, insolent or raised my voice. But I did insist on being given an answer, as is my right.

I did tell her that she represented local government and, as such, had to act like it, at which point her response was an astounding “listen to me, dear: go ask elsewhere before I lose my temper” (translated from Maltese) and she slammed the phone down.

So much for customer care and service.

I have come across much in some 40 years of being involved in customer service but this beats it all.

Shame on you!