I had a hernia op yesterday. On arrival at the hospital I was asked a
number of pre-op questions by one of the nursing staff. I referred to
the leaflet which states that the hospital will be able to organise
return transport a day later (I had to stay in overnight due to GA).
But the nurse said "No way!" Not on a Saturday. Out of the question.
It was the triumphalist way she conveyed this that annoyed me. Anyway,
I said nothing.

After the op the staff nurse on the actual ward asked me how I was
getting home and again I referred to the note in the leaflet. However,
this nurse immediately agreed and said she would organise some
hospital transport for me. She couldn't have been more helpful or
willing, as were ALL the nurses on the actual ward.

About three hours ago I was brought home and am now recuperating.

Another example of this strange habit some British people have of
celebrating someone's misfortune: In a Wilkinson shop the other day I
asked whether they had any holdalls. "No, all gone!" she said with
glee, as if to say, "Now see where else you're going to get one from!"
Not a "Terribly sorry, but we're sold out of them right now, although
we should be getting fresh stock in soon."

What IS it with these people? Most people I deal with, even in Tesco,
are helpful, polite, forthcoming, but occasionally one meets up with a
complete tosser, who, sadly, often is a woman, even though women are
supposed to care more.

MM