I’m posting because I think I yet again may be developing food poisoning after eating a shop bought salad or poorly refrigerated drink.
A few months ago I had an emergency trip because I accidentally swallowed a sharp fish bone in a fish that clearly said it was “boneless” hake. The supermarket (Tesco) didn’t do much at all and did not seem concerned I also had a long hair in smoked salmon in a Sainsbury’s pack last year and again Sainsbury’s did not think this was very serious - I had to argue about compensation more than just the cost of a refund, ended up with only £10, but I will never buy a pack of smoked salmon again. Fish in general seems to be a danger to buy - is even tinned tuna safe these days?
But also I’m in this situation because I’m having to visit a loved one who should not be in hospital after what appear to be a catalogue of errors in treatment and medication. I am watching poorly trained staff attempt to make life or death decisions. I’ve seen the most worrying processes and gaps in safety. They cannot even explain how DNR works to me. (yes it’s sadly come to that stage in the treatment)
I’ve also had some plumbing work recently to move a couple of radiators which resulted in a complete mess by someone who I am told was fairly new. In the end a floor had to be replaced by them because he couldn’t put it back together after he pulled up some floorboards. His radiator was put in at an angle because he didn’t know how to route the pipework. In total 3 people ended up fixing a 1 day job over 4 days and I’m not sure how much material was wasted too as the floor had to be fixed twice after the first attempt was a complete mess (apparently by their experienced floor person).
Another example is potholes fixed a few months ago were replaced over and over by my old council contractors. When they came to replace pavements they made a complete mess of some people’s thresholds and had to then go around fixing them (badly). I ended up having to fix the threshold myself while the cement was wet after they pulled out an original threshold stone and then lied about breaking it and removing it - I had to dig out an old google streetview to prove it ever existed!. The workman was so stupid he pointed out during a discussion that it was lying in the road behind him.
The worrying thing is that nobody involved in any of this seems to be in the least embarassed and it appears that it’s normal these days to just accept sloppiness as a fact of life.
It absolutely isn’t. The country is in a complete sloppy mess. Some of this sloppiness is seeping in from countries that already tolerate this rubbish as a fact of life, some of it is being created here as standards in training slip.
It just comes to the point that you become afraid of buying any processed foods, getting ill because healthcare is so sloppy and clinicians poorly trained, they don’t know what they are doing with medication prescription, you can’t do anything to your house because the people doing things don’t know what they are doing and cut corners, I’ve heard all this housebuilding is very poor with all sorts of safety issues.
What is happening to our societies?! This is totally unacceptable and nobody seems to care!
I empathise in everything you mention Annie, same problems over here. I don’t remember the last time I thought or anyone else thought: “That’s a job well done!”.
I think this is also connected to the fact with Human intelligence being gradually replaced “totally” by Artificial Intelligence - I hate using that term! , and the regression of society as we know it.
people have to be taught to do that, it feels as though everything is watered down with only snippets of knowledge left
I saw an interview with some top investing expert recently and he predicted our societies would unravel into such a mess. It’s quite scary. Bad enough to see my plumbing or the potholes, but it’s when you get a train crash or cars falling apart that maybe someone will realise there is a big problem.
For example,trying to get a plumber out these days is like asking for the Moon, even when they finally come and do the job, there’s always something left not properly done.
Absolutely the same over here. It’s a s…- happens-culture at micro- and macro level, from personal incompetence (directing harmful gases into the passenger compartment of my car) to authorities wilfully ignoring safety standards (leading to bridges collapsing) just to give two examples. All that results from major mistakes made in the past which no one wanted nor wants to talk about. It’s also a culture of muddling through.
I have noticed at various times in my life, that some people seem to have a lot of negative experiences when it comes to dealing with tradesmen, or have had more than their fair share of bad experiences with life in general.
While i think there’s been a gradual decline in standards in some areas, trying to keep some perspective, can sometimes be quite challenging.
You got me thinking there about my own experiences Annie, and recently I took delivery of brand new Freezer, which when unpacked was found to have a broken leg, and the pieces were not in the packaging which suggests it was broken before they delivered it. We did notice that the box it was in was held together with sellotape…Hardly a professional packing job. We suspect it had been sent back before by some unhappy customer.
Upon telephoning the help line, the young girl on the other end of the phone assured me that there were only two legs on that particular freezer. I assured her that there were four, and I had photographs to prove it.
Next, I have just received a recall on my motor. Apparently according to some bloke on youtube, ‘Stelantis’ who supply engines for Citroen and a number of other motor companies, used cheap timing chains on their engines making them liable to excessive wear and breakage.
Mrs Fox had to visit the hospital due to a very swollen and inflamed lower leg. She was advised to go to the hospital by the receptionist at the surgery because no doctor was available for at least a fortnight.
After spending about two hours in A&E we were sent up to SSDEC (surgical same day emergency care unit) and spent another two hours while a trainee nurse decided Mrs Fox needed some antibiotics…It’s been over a week now, she’s finished her tablets and the problem persists.
Perhaps all our young people are being trained in university to obtain jobs in the media or art and design. At least my two grand daughters were and ended up with jobs nothing to do with their classy looking qualifications. They both did leave university with a bloke under their arm though.
Ogf it’s interesting that you mention a sellotaped package because I recently ordered a sales cardigan from hobbs. It also had some weird packaging and no tag . When I tried it on at home there was a tear on the shoulder. I managed to order another but had to make an extra click and collect trip which was inconvenient.
I also bought some of those barrel style baggy jeans from per una at M&S then noticed while wearing that one leg was wider than the other! I measured 1cm difference. I then looked at reviews and lots of others had similar issues. So annoying
Marks and Spencer have closed their town centre store, with a good menswear section and cafe’ and built a new out of town one. Mrs Fox has visited the new store many times, but yesterday was my first visit.
Very disappointed with the menswear section with very little choice, and no cafe’
Also disappointed to see all of their products made in Bangladesh.
Almost 2000 girls and women (and the odd bloke) used to work at Burton’s and SR Gent here in Doncaster and supplied all M&S clothing.
I ordered the freezer online through AO, and although the delivery service was exceptional, the goods were not.
So after returning the freezer and getting a full refund we visited Curry’s to have a ‘Hands on’ approach. Unfortunately for Curry’s, after finding a Hotpoint freezer that we both liked, I’ve ordered it direct from Hotpoint. It comes on Monday.
I’m afraid unless you’re going for some seriously nice vintage clobber that’s how it is! I’ve a buddy who runs a very successful business selling vintage clothing!
I’ve paid for work in and around the house from trades people who are good and ones who are less good. The less good ones do not get asked back.
Here in France there seems to be two types of people offering their services. The professional, clearly experienced and diligent trades people. They are expensive and you won’t get their time for months ahead. Or the less reliable, perhaps not even professionally trained people. They can be less expensive, will be happy working for (undeclared) cash but are likely to be available in the next few days. And references are key.
, and the regression of society as we know it.
