Am I missing something with this jobless drama?

SPAIN’S unemployment rate is 5.6 million yet when I call at an internet provider they are short staffed; two assistants cannot cope.

They are too busy to answer the phone or emails.

Far worse the phone shop where one harassed assistant services an hour long queue.

It can take an hour to reach the single receptionist at the medical centre; at a busy restaurant two old dears try to serve over 100 diners.

There is just one check-out lady on the till at the supermercado.

Bosses are cutting staff but the cost to the queuing public must be horrendous.

I recall restaurant advertising; ‘if you wait more than x minutes your meal is free.’

There is a cure for unemployment and hour long queues; walk out when you see one.

Austerity doesn’t take any prisoners

MADRID’S renowned Retiro Park has been home to chiringuitos or quioscos since the 19th century.

Quaint family owned cafés for the park’s strollers; most ring the boating lake. Madrid City Hall has just bounced their rents up from €10,000 a year to €45,000; a hike of 600%.

One tearful 72-year old owner turned up to find council workers had put his lifetime’s investment in padlocks.

‘How can we make that kind of money when all we serve is potato chips, beer and soft drinks?’

The owners could stand for parliament. The cost of a single parliamentarian would pay for them all.

Tower of Babel

THERE was much excitement in Barcelona when the lift taking tourists up the 60 metre Colon Monument broke down.

Stuck at the top were 6 tourists; four Spaniards and two Japanese. A helicopter rescue was ruled out because of high winds.

Eventually, a crane with a jib long enough to reach the stranded party was found and their 6-hour ordeal came to an end. I wonder what such disparate races chatted about up there. And, what happened when nature called.

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