Wondering away

There are some things that really make me wonder. Here are today's:

1. I had a hospital appointment for my ankle, which entails going to the Orthopaedic Department waiting area of the Borders General Hospital. They very kindly provide a TV which has the news on it with the sound turned down so low that no-one could hear it and also on the side of the screen is room for NHS messages. This was what one of those messages said:

'There has been an increase of a vomiting and diarrhoea bug across Scotland. If you or someone you live with has these symptoms please do not attend hospital until you have been symptom free for at least two days.'

Now I don't know about you, but in my view, isn't it a bit 'locking the stable after the horse has bolted' kind of thing?

I wonder why Health and Safety haven't locked on to this? Oh well, I'm not telling them otherwise I can see them having a field day.

2. After my hospital visit I went to Marks & Spencer Food Only in Galashiels. I bought four small items and went to pay. As the assistant was passing my goods over the scanner I was packing my bag. She then asked me if I needed help packing. Now this really got to me and I said, 'Do I look like I need help?' Ok, well I know this looks a bit antagonistic, but I absolutely promise you it was said in a very gentle, kindly tone. She informed me it was company policy to ask everyone.

I then decided to take this a bit further and so asked to see the Manager, while assuring the poor girl that it was nothing to do with her, just the policy.

The Manager was lovely, but 'yes' she said it was company policy. I did say that I thought it was a bit condescending, if not downright ridiculous to ask someone who looks (relatively) fit and healthy, who'd already packed two thirds of their four items if they needed help with packing. But she said they even have people come round and check that this question is asked. She did agree with me though and we decided that she'd send an email to head office. She then said it would be much better if I sent an email too, and would I like to? I liked to and I have. Now I'll have to wait and see if there's any response.

I wonder why employees aren't encouraged to use their initiative?

3. I got home from all of this to find a package waiting for me. Inside was an amazing vegetarian recipe book by Yotam Ottolenghi, which a friend had decided to send me. A week or so ago we were talking about a couple of his recipes she'd tried that had been in The Guardian Saturday food section a while back, which we both then downloaded.

And so I ended my day wondering what the hell I'd done to deserve such an incredibly lovely gift? I still don't know, but I do know I'm one helluva lucky person in spite of sometimes being a very grumpy old woman.